› added 10 years ago

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TIL Several test pilots were once awarded astronaut wings despite not being in a space program. They managed to exceed 50 miles in altitude or more while attempting to break the world speed record in an X-15 test aircraft. They even managed to break Mach 4, 5, and 6…at up to 67 miles above earth.

bK4Z TIL a patent is pending on a “Jar with a Twist” – a container for dispensing peanut butter and other similar products – that has a rotating bottom which functions similar to a deodorant stick to bring the contents of the jar up towards the top for easier access.
OW67 TIL James Cameron pitched the sequel to Alien by writing the title on a chalkboard, adding an “s”, then turning it into a dollar sign spelling “Alien$”. The project received $18 million dollars.
l7oP7 TIL that there is a Disney Professor of Archaeology at the University of Cambridge. The professorship is named after the antiquarian John Disney, who endowed the position in 1851.
LQWeV TIL that there is an exposed breast on flag of the US state of Virginia. It was added to the flag in 1901 when the then secretary of the commonwealth of Virginia felt Virtus, the Roman goddess of virtue featured on the flag, who at the time wore a full breast plate, looked too manly.
d8kEZ TIL that half of President John Tyler’s cabinet along with several congressmen were killed instantly when a cannon malfunctioned and exploded during a Potomac River dinner cruise. President Tyler personally assisted with the rescue efforts and married a girl he carried away on his back