› added 12 years ago

151

TIL a consortium of American and German organizations cut a hole in the side of a 747 to install a 2.5m telescope. This modified plane is flown above most of the atmosphere so infrared observations can be made.

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via reddit.com

kJe8e TIL that “Re:” which is often used on subject line of emails is Latin for “on the matter of”. I used to think it’s an abbreviation of ‘regarding’ or ‘reply’.
40gw TIL that Douglas Bader was a pilot who could sustain more G-Forces in combat because he had no legs.
7MJP TIL: That professional basketball player Latrell Sprewell rejected a three year, 21 million dollar contract, for the reason that it wouldn’t be enough to feed his children.
PYPmg TIL Dr Joseph Goldberger proved in 1915 that pellagra was caused by poor diet in the South. Southern leaders refused to heed the advice of a northern Jewish doc and pellagra wasn't eradicated until 1945 when federal law required flour be fortified with thiamine, niacin, and iron
54Ek TIL that Aron Eisenberg (47), who played Nog on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine underwent a kidney transplant when he was a teenager, which stunted his growth at 5 feet