› added 1 week ago

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TIL: that despite the controversy over Ada Lovelace being the "first programmer," she was the first to realize that the Analytical Engine—the earliest concept of a computer—could act on things beyond numbers, like music or symbols, marking her as a visionary who saw the full potential of computers.

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XE7GP TIL Mr. Wizard's science television program—running from 1951 to 1965—was so influential in inspiring people to pursue science careers, ~50% of all applicants to Rockefeller University throughout the 1960s-1970s in New York cited him when they were asked how they first became interested in science.
PePZ TIL The most profitable movie of all time is My Big Fat Greek Wedding, with a 6150% return on investment
GYNP1 TIL bats make up about 20% of all known mammal species. There are about 1200 species of bats and about 5400 different mammals
P1MZw TIL that, thought destroyed by Nazis, a priceless mosaic owned by Roman emperor Caligula ended up as a coffee table for 50 years in a NYC apartment.
vZPD TIL the “debate” about vaccines and autism, began after a fraudulent paper was published. The author is no longer licensed to practice. Countless dollars have been spent to debunk his claims, and innocent children have probably died due to his lies.