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TIL the Guillemot is a penguin-like bird that has retained its ability to fly. They can dive up to 180 meters.

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wLk41 TIL Tetris is addictive because it presents a continuous stream of incomplete tasks. Fulfilling those tasks gives players a constant sense of achievement.
M1xB TIL women were not the first choice as telephone operators. Prior to September 1, 1878, when a woman named Emma Nutt became the first female operator, boys were the preferred choice. It soon became apparent, however, that boys would insult, curse at, and prank the customers.
jRNn TIL that Coca-cola was so widely used as a spermicidal douche - primarily in 1950s and 60s America - that multiple scientific studies have been undertaken to disprove its contraceptive ability.
9GOB TIL the Japanese military ran human experiments in China, including organ removal, blood loss, being burnt alive, forced pregnancy followed by vivisection, all without anesthesia. The US gave immunity to those involved in exchange for the data. Many doctors had successful postwar careers. [NSFW]
jNQvj TIL Steven Spielberg receives $30–50 million a year from all park ticket revenue/portion of park concession for his role as a creative consultant for Universal theme park rides. He can also trigger an exit deal clause and collect a lump sum payment of $535 million, some predicting to be $1 billion.