› added 9 years ago

627

[TIL] the Mongol Empire installed empire-wide messenger/postal stations 15-40 miles apart, stocked with food and fresh mounts that required passports for use, allowing for communication over the largest empire in history

Read more historyofinformation.com

via reddit.com

vwy7 TIL that in the U.K 2002 a man attempted to refute a £25 motoring ticket by invoking the right to trial by combat, challenging the Driving Vehicle and Licensing Agency to elect a champion to do combat with him.
65AW TIL that James Jameson of Jameson Whiskey once arranged for cannibals to eat a slave girl in front of him, whilst he sketched the whole incident.
yQXBp TIL that Until 2013, 10% of US electricity came from disassembled Russian nuclear warheads
VM698 TIL The ice-strengthened drill barge Kulluk drifted aground during relocation after the towing line to the ice-breaker Aiviq parted in heavy weather.
9YZ97 TIL that Japan is giving its elderly population discounts on ramen if they give up their drivers licenses