› added 6 years ago

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TIL that the man responsible for inventing leaded gasoline, Thomas Midgley Jr, was also accredited for the introduction of the ozone depleting refrigerant Freon. Later in life, Midgley contracted Polio and subsequently died when he was strangled by the very device he designed to get him out of bed.

OoJJY TIL that China produces 42% of the world's cigarettes. Nearly 60% of male Chinese doctors are smokers. In most of the country smoking is considered socially acceptable anywhere at any time, even if it is technically illegal.
yQ5AX TIL Former US President Calvin Coolidge enjoyed “buzzing for his bodyguards and then hiding under his desk as they frantically searched for him”
vPY4j TIL developing a drug to treating parasitic infections in cattle, the developers, Merck, noticed it prevents human "River Blindness" that can leave entire villages blind. Seeing its importance, Merck's executives decided to distribute the expensive drug for free until the disease was eradicated
7rwWZ TIL a first time deer hunter named Sergio Martinez, who got lost in the woods of San Diego county in 2003, set a small fire to signal rescuers. The fire quickly got out of control and became the Cedar Fire burning nearly 300,000 acres of land, destroying more than 2200 homes and killing 15 people.
4pnR TIL that the song “Macarena” tells the story of a woman who cheats on her boyfriend, Vitorino, when he’s out of town, with “his two friends” that “were so fine”, and now wishes to take home anyone that can dance in an acceptable manner.