› added 13 years ago

123

TIL that ancient Antarctica was much warmer and wetter than previously suspected. The climate was suitable to support substantial vegetation, including stunted trees, along the edges of the frozen continent.

Read more dailygalaxy.com

via reddit.com

x6OL5 TIL that Gadgetbahn is a neologism that refers to a public transport concept that is touted as futuristic or innovative, but in practice is less feasible, reliable, and more expensive than traditional modes such as buses, trams and trains.
R7My8 TIL toilet paper only became "splinter-free" in the 1930s.
PYRlJ TIL Church's Fried Chicken was a major supporter of chess in the 1970s, with the San Antonio Church's Fried Chicken Inc. 1st International Chess Tournament in 1972 being considered one of the most important chess tournaments on American soil.
0EZ1 TIL that the Veronica Mars film raised $5M via Kickstarter, but grossed only $3M worldwide at the box office, meaning fans were willing to pay more for the film to be made than they were to watch it in theaters.
N7rL1 TIL when slave/abolitionist Frederick Douglass was 16, he fought back against his brutal master. Edward Covey, a man who had a reputation as a "slave-breaker," whipped Douglas regularly and almost broke him until one day, Douglass fought and came out victorious. Covey never tried to beat him again.