› added 2 months ago

5

TIL that the format of the British quiz show "Mastermind" was inspired by the interrogation techniques of the Gestapo

Read more theguardian.com

via reddit.com

xrA7 TIL that seven people in the United States still live in an iron lung.
ADBXd TIL Apples were introduced to North America by colonists in the 17th century, and the first apple orchard on the North American continent was planted in Boston by Reverend William Blaxton in 1625. The only apples native to North America are crab apples, which were once called "common apples".
69Xam TIL Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan’s throne took 7 years to make, costing 4X as much as the World famous Taj Mahal - More than 2500 lbs. of gold and 500 lbs. of precious gemstones were embedded in the Throne and yes, the Koh-i-Noor Diamond was just one of them
M84a TIL that during a film sequence of Top Gun, an aircraft carrier captain changed the ships course and altered the lighting of a shot. Director tony Scott was told it would cost $25,000 to change its course. He quickly wrote a check, the course was reverted,and got 5 more minutes to get his shot.
oBP4E TIL that in the 9th century Chinese alchemists in search of the elixir of life created a mixture of saltpeter, sulfur, and charcoal. Ironically, short of a path to immortality, they had discovered gunpowder.