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TIL that, when asked to investigate the space shuttle Challenger disaster, Richard Feynman wrote a very critical report about NASA's safety policy concluding: "For a successful technology, reality must take precedence over public relations, for nature cannot be fooled."

Read more history.nasa.gov

via reddit.com

16JXr TIL That in 1774 James Cook charted Sandy Island off the coast of New Caledonia. Despite its' inclusion in official maps and charts for over two centuries in 2012 an Australian survey vessel proved the island had never actually existed and may have been a 'pumice raft' floating in the area.
4kmDg TIL about Ankimo, a japanese delicacy made with the liver of the rare Monk fish (a fish genetically related to the anglerfish).
VNMD TIL of Ken Peters, a SeaWorld trainer who was attacked near the end of a show in 2006. For about 10 minutes the whale repeatedly submerged him to the bottom of the tank. He stayed calm during the entire ordeal and used his training to calm it enough to be let go. He still works at the same SeaWorld.
QX9d TIL Frank Sinatra helped as a liaison between the leader of Chicago’s mafia and the Kennedy family during the ‘60 primary, in order to get Union backing. When Kennedy reneged on his promises after being elected Sinatra was punished by having to play 8 straight nights at the crime bosses club.
OoGr1 TIL that Lurleen Wallace could not seek appropriate treatment for cancer after her husband, Alabama segregationist George Wallace, kept it a secret from her for four years due to the fact that he wanted her to become Governor of Alabama. She died after only a year in office.