› added 10 years ago

318

TIL that geomagnetic storms are correlated with an increase in suicide all over the world

Read more newscientist.com

via reddit.com

eJ8E TIL that the Australian rower Bobby Pearce once stopped during a rowing race in the 1928 Olympics to allow a family of ducks pass, and still won out of eight competitors in that round
Oop8L TIL that “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” was written by composer Frank Loesser in 1944 for he and his wife to sing at the end of their housewarming party as a way to tell guests it was time to leave. Afterwards, they were invited to tons of parties with the expectation of the song being the closing act.
Lk6dV TIL hemp can be used to make paper, cloth, fuel, oils, medicine, plastic, rope, etc. and only takes one acre compared to 4.1 acres of trees to make the same amount of paper, and is even more environmentally friendly, but was made illegal due to the confusion that it can get you high (it doesn’t)
rNdZ4 TIL that the con-artist, Frank Abagnale, from Catch Me if You Can, lied about most of the story. His book retelling his "crimes" was the only successful con he ever pulled.
lW0V TIL of “The Giggling Granny” Nannie Doss who between the 1920s and early 1950s murdered almost every member of her family.