› added 11 years ago

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TIL that the only police officers that carry guns in Iceland are part of the elite “Viking Squad”

Read more bbc.co.uk

via reddit.com

7DNb TIL That prior to Westerners coming to Japan there had been a ban on red meat. The Emperor repealed the ban because he believed it was responsible for the Westerners greater size.
dDy8B TIL that the chainsaw was created in the 18th century and was originally designed as a medical device and more precisely (debated) to cut open womens' pelvises for childbirth.
D1n0v TIL that the Boeing 747 prototype had a consistent problem with engines randomly exploding. The test pilot took the president of the engine manufacturer for a ride and blew up engines one by one until he was nervously asked told to stop. The problem was promptly fixed.
K1EQ TIL that in 1997, a group of enthousiasts began building a castle in France, using only materials, tools and techniques available in the 13th century (800 years ago). The project is scheduled to be completed sometime in the 2020’s.
xBab TIL that there is an entirely independent food chain that lives deep in the ocean, that is effectively independent of sunlight, and these life forms are the leading candidates for extra-terrestrial life.