› added 5 years ago

126

TIL Rev. Theodore Hesburgh held honorary degrees from seven of the eight Ivy League schools. With 150 honorary degrees from both private and public colleges and universities across the nation and the world, he held the record for most degrees ever awarded to one person.

MeyB7 TIL that Circus Peanuts were invented by a guy after he installed insulation in his livestock barn. He found the texture so pleasing, he wanted to eat it. Rather than stick it in his mouth like a Tide Pod, he made a snack that mimicked how it felt.
mxBp TIL that before 1774 in England it was possible to take out life insurance on a complete stranger, go kill them, and collect.
0w6Mv TIL 19-yr-old Eric Simons squatted at AOL HQ to work on his startup. When a mentorship ended, his badge still gave access; for 2 months he got basic free food from the lounge, used the showers, locker, & gym, did wash at AOL's free laundromat, & rotated sleep on 3 couches to evade night security.
1aAy8 TIL of Caligula, an emperor of the Roman Empire. His short 4 year long reign consisted of him trying to make his horse a consul, calling himself a god, committing incest, and declaring war on the sea, having his men collect shells from the English Channel and return to Rome to celebrate victory.
R59wl TIL Ruth Brown, a 1950s R & B superstar had her earnings withheld by her record company. She then spent several years working low paying jobs until making a comeback in 1976. She used her newfound fame to fight for musicians to receive royalties for their music.