› added 10 years ago

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TIL that carbon nanotubes were used in a Damascus steel sword from the 17th century. It is thought that the nanotubes along with nanowires give the legendary steel its strength.

Read more news.nationalgeographic.com

via reddit.com

jNAOj TIL about Sam Ballard, a 29 year old Aussie who died 8 years after eating a slug on a dare. The slug carried rat lungworm, a rare parasite that can penetrate the intestine, traverse the nervous system, and burrow into the brain’s outer lining. While most infected recover, the parasite can be fatal.
VMQak TIL China has some of the lowest percentages of voluntary organ donors but some of the shortest waiting times for organs because they harvest organs from political prisoners, the marginalized, and executed prisoners.
N65e TIL that 111-year-old Alexander Imich was a survivor of both the Holocaust and the Soviet gulags. Mr. Imich also became the World’s Oldest Living Man in 2014.
78eEL TIL Doc Martens are named after nazi doctor, Klaus Martens.
QJePX TIL about (US) East coast vs West coast butter