Post * d8ZVZ — Curious Curator

› added 6 years ago

489

TIL that a 'perfectly' measured dose of chloroform soaked in a rag would take around 5 minutes to knock a person out, rather than almost immediately.

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4X7P5 TIL about "Le Grand K", a hunk of platinum kept in a vault in a Paris, that until recently was the international prototype for a kilogram of weight. A kilogram's weight is now defined based on the laws of the universe so as to avoid a physical object that decays over time.

Bg0GK TIL that during the Battle of Isandlwana, a full solar eclipse darkened the battle field, which helped to motivate the vast numbers of native Zulus defenders. The battle ended with the British Army experiencing its worst defeat against an indigenous foe.

mx9JR TIL the only person to die playing baseball is Ray Chapman in 1920 at age 29; he was hit by a pitch and died 12 hours later. His death helped lead to the ban on spitballs after the season and requiring umpires to replace dirty balls. It helped lead to the use of batting helmets albeit 30 years later

oBlaR TIL the iconic Civil Rights photo of Walter Gadsen being attacked by a police dog was a mistake. Gadsen had no interest in the Civil Rights movement, but was skipping school, when he stumbled into a cop and frightened his dog. The cop was pulling his dog away.

167WP TIL about Jeff the Sea Lion who went over Niagara Falls in 1963. Jeff, who escaped from nearby Marineland of Canada, was eventually captured a few days later “sunning” on a rock with a teenager, Tommy Haines. Tommy was rewarded $50 for the successful capture.