› added 12 years ago

77

TIL The military asked the President permission to blow up a plane full of American college students on vacation, as well as murder mothers and children in the streets of major cities through sniper attacks, to blame it on Cuba and start a war. John F. Kennedy refused

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ZpP8o TIL that there is plastic eating bacteria that can turn trash into silk. Scientists turned to bacteria that are naturally able to consume polyethylene. They then genetically edited the microbes so that they could also produce a silk-like material.
neKB TIL that ‘Soccer’ is not an Americanism. It’s short for ‘Association Football’ and was popularised by the captain of the English national team 1894-5.
8oQa TIL baby hedgehogs are born spineless to prevent damaging their mother during the birthing process. Their spines appear within the first hours after birth.
Kap6 TIL of Mark Landis, a small town painter who over the course of many years painted exact replicas of famous works of art, and donated them to over 60 different institutions in 20 states, duping them into believing the works were authentic. Although deceptive, his acts were not technically illegal.
W71LY TIL that the filming of The Wizard of Oz had a surprising number of health-hazards. For example, asbestos flakes were used to make snow. Margaret Hamilton was burned. Judy Garland was given amphetamines.