› added 1 week ago

2

TIL that in 1835, the New York Sun published a series of articles falsely claiming the discovery of life and even civilization on the Moon, leading many readers to believe in lunar inhabitants.

Read more wikipedia.org

via reddit.com

4Xgog TIL that a UK man found a way to earn money off telemarketers who were constantly calling him. In 2011 he set up his own personal 0871 line - so to call him now costs money to the caller. Every time a bank, gas or electricity supplier asked him for his details, he submits it as his contact number.
WvPo TIL of Kursk, a Russian submarine that sank in August of 2000 due to an accident involving poorly maintained torpedoes. None of the crew survived due to old, poorly maintained Russian rescue equipment and the Russian Navy’s refusal to accept Western aid.
9Y41X TIL that thousands of poor Black women were sterilized involuntarily in several southern states by white physicians when they presented for care for other health issues. The procedure became known as a Mississippi Appendectomy.
p8EJZ TIL At 10 years old and while still in elementary school, Warren Buffett started having lunch meetings with a New York Stock Exchange member. He bought his first stock at age 11. Today, he’s worth $80 billion.
rRJxd TIL in Quartz watches, the second hand is rarely aligned perfectly. This is an unintentional indicator that the watch is handmade, because mass machine assembly is required to completely ensure that the second hands align.