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TIL the forerunner of the modern bicycle was invented to overcome a horse shortage after a volcanic eruption caused widespread famine, leaving Europe's horses to starve or be slaughtered for meat.

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vPPdD TIL That the High Five is younger than Star Wars. Both debuting in 1977.
m1ldY TIL Buildings cover less of Britain than the land revealed when the tide goes out
P1gde TIL an Indian Billionaire (owner of Haldiram's) hired hitmen to murder a poor, roadside tea-stall operator for not moving his stall away from near the billionaire's newest upscale food showroom. The attempted murder resulted in a guilty verdict for all involved.
WkJPX TIL about Toxorhynchites, a type of large mosquito that doesn't drink blood and kills the larvae of the kinds that do.
woLRW TIL about wacky cake, a spongy, cocoa-based cake. It is unique in that unlike most pastries and desserts, no eggs, butter or milk are used to make it. Wacky cake may have been created as the result of rationing during World War II.