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TIL when Natalie Wood was 7 years old, her mother would tear up butterflies in front of her to get her to cry for a scene in a World War 2 movie where she played an orphan. Her mother also moved the entire family to LA when Natalie’s child acting career gained traction.

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p8aPQ TIL 1972 Soviet Union's eavesdropping led to “The Great Grain Robbery” of communications on calls between American wheat farmers and the Department of Agriculture that enabled the Russians to covertly buy record amounts of wheat at low prices, causing a U.S. grain shortage 18 months later.
wLx48 TIL that modern F1 race cars have large wooden board attached under them to make sure the cars do not skid on the race track more than allowed. The board is measured before and after the race, and driver can get disqualified if the board gets too thin.
X9mr TIL a sailor who wishes to grow a beard in the Royal Navy has to submit a ‘permission to stop shaving’ form. He is then allowed two weeks to 'grow a full set’ before he presents himself to the Master at Arms who will decide if his beard looks stupid or is respectfully full enough to be permitted.
Brnvy TIL: A bronze sculpture at handsome Victor Noir's grave shows him prone & dying after a lost duel. Age patinated the metal to a green-brown color except on his lips and his (um) bulge --which gleam! They shine from constant contact by the superstitious who seek good luck by (ahem) "remembering" him.
EgkxW TIL the children's story Chitty Chitty Bang Bang was written by James Bond author Ian Flemming, and was adapted into a movie with a screenplay written by Charlie and the Chocolate Factory author Roal Dahl.