› added 5 years ago

193

TIL it is theoretically possible to send a paper plane from the ISS to earth, without the planes burning up on reentry. An experiment was scheduled, but unfortunately cancelled.

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via reddit.com

b69xN TIL about the Gatun Dam. It was built to facilitate construction of the Panama Canal and was the largest damn in the world at the time.
4XWaX TIL that after singer Al Martino lost the role of Johnny Fontane in The Godfather to Vic Damone, he went to his actual godfather, Mob Boss Russell Bufalino, who was able to get him the part back.
o6gK TIL that many animals (including humans) can’t absorb up to 50% of the energy in the food they consume; this undigested energy ends up in fecal matter, which is why feces are such an effective fertilizer.
KOjpQ TIL American Airlines circumvented the manufacturer's instructions to save 200 man-hours, doing so they caused the US' worst airline disaster in history. Their procedure was damaging the pylon mounts without anyone knowing it. The manufacturer had warned American Airlines against their procedure.
GYkRj TIL The bias and slanted media coverage of the 2005 Michael Jackson molestation trial has been referred to as "One of the Most Shameful Episodes In Journalistic History". The media would extensively cover the seedy accusations but completely unreported witnesses crumbling under cross examination.