› added 10 years ago

225

TIL in a dark room, it’s easier to see an object by not looking directly at it but rather next to it because of the distribution of cones and rods.

Read more discoveryeye.org

via reddit.com

xVvO1 TIL that the last French casualty of WWI, Augustin Trébuchon, was killed 15 minutes before the ceasefire at 11 o'clock in an attempt to tell his fellow soldiers that hot soup would be served after the armistice took effect.
p87wZ TIL the last 2 Afghan Jews lived on opposite sides of Kabul's synagogue, both claimed ownership of the space, refused to leave fearing the other would sell it. The two fought so much over the synagogue's Torah (bible) scroll that, after each called Taliban on the other, the Taliban confiscated it.
DQOBJ TIL medieval Europe “mummy balm,” made from human fat, was applied to wounds and believed to have healing powers. It was often taken from executed criminals with the belief their violent deaths made it more potent. This persisted for centuries until medicine shifted toward evidence-based practices.
kJY4m TIL that psilocybin mushrooms may have greatly influenced the evolution of the human brain
aDoZ TIL that the African king/queen parents in Coming to America are the same actor and actress as the African king/queen parents in The Lion King.