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TIL that the role of Zapp Brannigan was created specifically for Phil Hartman. When Hartman was murdered prior to recording the pilot, Billy West took over the role and tweaked his voice to more closely mimic Hartman's

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VM8BG TIL The US convened a Coin Task Force to address a shortage in coinage. They determined there isn’t a shortage per se, instead too much of the $48.5 billion in US are not in circulation.
7rEax TIL in 1917 the Aerowagon experimental high-speed railcar used an aircraft engine and propeller traction to go 140 kph (87mph) to carry Soviet officials. In 1921 officials successfully went from Moscow to Tula. On return it derailed at high speed killing 6 of 22 on board including the inventor.
vP4wx TIL Savitri Devi was invited by fellow Nazi Francoise Dior to stay at her chateau in 1970 as part of their post war networking. The visit turned unpleasant and she had to leave because of Devi's annoying habits: she was constantly chewing on garlic and didn't take a shower during her 9 month visit
d8rQ9 TIL in 1982, three guys lived on a billboard as part of a radio contest. The last one to come down would win an $18,000 mobile home. The contest became international news, one of the contestants was caught selling weed, and it went on for so many months that it had to be ended with two winners.
pryQ TIL the “pirate accent” is actually from Dorset, England. Robert Newton used it as Long John Silver, and it has stuck ever since.