› added 12 years ago

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TIL there is a charity that buys up mortgages that have gone to collection for pennies on the dollar, then frees the homeowners of the debt. They’ve erased more than $14M so far!

Read more rollingjubilee.org

via reddit.com

7rn9p TIL that the character Butters was inspired by South Park staff member Eric Stough, a close friend of Trey Parker. Because of his “geeky” tendency to avoid offending others, something the pair found annoying, Matt Stone would refer to him as “little buddy” eventually shortening it to “Butters.”
8avZP TIL a company in Japan developed a smoke alarm specifically designed for those with hearing impairments that uses wasabi odour instead of a loud noise. Tests on sleeping people with normal or no hearing show the device waking all of the subject in just two and a half minutes.
grKg8 TIL in 1926 Harry Houdini argued in congress for four days trying to convince them to pass his bill, House Resolution 8989, that would outlaw fortune-telling in the District of Columbia. The arguments nearly got physical and police were called several times.
4k0B6 TIL that in 2013, LG had an event in Seoul, where they would tie free phone coupons onto balloons and release them into the air. Participants ended up bringing BB guns and pointed staffs to try and get the balloons down. 20 people were injured because of this event.
aw8d9 TIL that in the 18th century people were encouraged to take the ruins of the Acropolis, because many believed letting it go to waste would be very regrettable.