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TIL that a farmer called Almon Strowger invented automatic telephone switching because he didn't trust his local telephone operator. She was the wife of his competition and Strowger suspected that she was diverting requests for his services to her husband’s business instead.

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0y05 TIL coloring books for grown-ups are a huge trend and publishers struggle to keep up with demand. The books have successfully been used to reduce stress, relieve anxiety and as rehabilitation aids for patients recovering from strokes.
EgG97 TIL that in 1904, Hartford, CT librarian Caroline Hewins established one of the first children's book rooms in a U.S. library. She spent decades encouraging parents to read to their children and helping make books more accessible to all.
BgvNe TIL, White Horse Temple, the first Buddhist temple in China, was desecrated heavily during the Cultural Revolution. At the same time, when the King of Cambodia requested to visit the temple, the Chinese authorities quickly restored it including placing artefacts from other museums in the temple.
KQo6 TIL that during Prohibition in the United States, Winston Churchill referred publicly to the Constitutional amendment banning alcohol as “an affront to the whole history of mankind.”
l7VoN TIL: During the Christmas/NYE holiday season of 2022, a winter storm caused Southwest Airlines' (ancient) crew scheduling software to break down, stranding crew members and cancelling 50% of flights between 21-30 December. Losses were reportedly between $1.1 billion to over $1.2 billion.