› added 1 year ago

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TIL: Timothy Dexter was an eccentric businessman known for his improbably successful investments. He was fooled to send bed warmers to the West Indies (hot), but sold them as ladles, he exported stray cats to the Caribbean who used them to kill rats, etc. He also told people his wife was a ghost.

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OoWEY TIL in the 1980s Japan introduced forest bathing (being around trees) as part of its national health program. Known as shinrin-yoku, Japan has official forests based upon their unique physiological and psychological effects. The essential oils of trees (phytoncides) reduce stress and boost immunity.
AD5Nn TIL of an Indian con man, Natwarlal who "sold" the Taj Mahal and the Parliament House of India. He is often compared with Frank Abagnale and Victor Lustig.
b6gVa TIL that the “n” in the 7-ELEVEn logo is the only lowercase letter because it was believed that an all uppercase logo would look too harsh.
Ypg8v TIL that artificial intelligence can distinguish authentic Pollock's paintings from fake ones with 93% accuracy.
dDRpB TIL that the founder of the soft-serve chain Fosters Freeze had acquired the rights to open the first Dairy Queen franchise in California, but discovered strict dairy industry laws in the state prohibited using “Dairy” in his business name.