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TIL Einstein failed 'Physics practical course for beginners' in his 1st year studies at the Polytechnic Institute

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NXXNe TIL that B.F. Skinner, in his work on superstitious behavior in pigeons, trained pigeons to guide missiles in WWII by pecking a key. Despite working very well it was never used in combat.
1aYPd TIL that Placenta is a flat cake from ancient Greece and Rome consisting of many dough layers interspersed with a mixture of cheese and honey. It is flavoured with bay leaves, baked and then covered in honey. The temporary fœtal organ was named after this cake thanks to its flat round shape.
J1gmB TIL former dictator of Turkmenistan Saparmurat Niyazov ordered the closure of all libraries outside the capital in the belief that all Turkmen are illiterate.
obx8 TIL that in 1978 Apple Corps (founded by The Beatles) sued Apple Computers for trademark infringement winning $80,000USD. As a condition of the settlement Apple Computers also agreed to never enter the music business, which they later violated in 2003 at the launch of the iTunes Music Store.
W71GB TIL when Buddy Holly’s wife suffered a miscarriage after seeing the first reports of his death on television, news agencies implemented a policy against announcing victims' names until after families are informed.