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TIL that “Greek fire” was an effective incendiary weapon used by the Romans, which could not be put out by water. It was often used in naval battles, where it was fired via pressurised nozzles. The secrets of its production were closely guarded, and its composition remains unknown today.

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nerr9 TIL that Eddie Tipton, an information-security director for the lottery, rigged the random number generator system and was able to tell what numbers would be drawn. He won jackpots for many friends and family members over several years and wasn't caught until he bought a lottery ticket worth $16.5m.
J54k TIL a Chinese man killed himself by leaping from the 7th floor of a mall after his girlfriend insisted on buying more shoes
ANA0a TIL that in South Korea it's illegal for South Koreans to use drugs even if they are in a country where that drug is legal. It can be punished with jail time when they return to the country
nerAb TIL During the American Revolution, an enslaved man was charged with treason and sentenced to hang. He argued that as a slave, he was not a citizen and could not commit treason against a government to which he owed no allegiance. He was subsequently pardoned.
eJNk TIL In Kurt Cobain’s suicide note, he quoted a Neil Young song saying “It’s better to burn out than fade away”. Neil Young said that “it fucked with me” and he had actually been trying to get in touch with Cobain around when his suicide happened, in order to offer encouragement.