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TIL The Blackbird SR-71 had a fuel system that was designed to leak before takeoff, and flew so fast it sealed itself during flight from the heat.

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XE1Y6 TIL Texas is the only state with it's own power grid, the Texas Interconnected System, which is therefore not subject to federal interstate regulations
Z8mPG TIL that in 2006, some army units used Silly String to check enemy encampments for trip wires. Before entering a building, soldiers would squirt the string across the room. If it fell to the ground, it was safe. But if it hung in the air, they knew the room had trip wires.
nWl4o TIL that the value of all the world’s real estate is about $327 trillion, which is almost four times more than global GDP.
LQ0Xv TIL The record for highest sale at auction for a United States bank note is $396,000 for a modern series $20 with a banana sticker on it.
WkN84 TIL that London cab drivers must memorize all 25k of London's streets including every business, restaurant, statue, pub, and landmark on them. Their exam has been called the hardest in the world, and studying for it enlarges cabbies' hippocampuses.