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242

TIL that the first ever morse code message was “what hath god wrought?”

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via reddit.com

7rV8p TIL that the real Johnny Appleseed was a wealthy missionary and a nurseryman named John Chapman. Rather then randomly planting apples he planted them as a way to gain land. Also his apples werent for eating but to make brandy instead. He also planted medicine herbs to give to the Native Americans.
VM9Pm TIL that during his research on heroin addicts for the film "Trainspotting" (1996), Ewan McGregor considered taking the drug, but decided not to. (Neon. p. 103)
QNG4L TIL that more New Deal relief funds were allocated to counties where a larger share of the population had radios, even when taking into account factors of income and wealth, suggesting that politicians are more sensitive to the interests of better informed citizens
X8xR TIL Thanks to the Freedom of Information Act, the CIA released nearly 12 million documents. One set of documents revealed research of possibility that “insane” people may be experiencing multiple “levels of reality” and their brains can’t process this information, leading to mental instability [PDF]
9Y0Br TIL about George Smith, a US test pilot who ejected from his plane at Mach 1.05 (777mph) and survived!