› added 2 years ago

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TIL about Matthew Hopkins, believed responsible for the executions of 100+ “witches” in 1644–1646

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via reddit.com

ZAAB TIL music sounds better when heard with the left ear, while the right ear is more efficient at deciphering speech.
ANW47 TIL of George Cove, a Canadian inventor who, in 1905, developed a solar electric generator. He was kidnapped and offered $25,000 and a house to stop promoting his devices.
JYNpk TIL four-fingered cartoon characters are not allowed on Japanese TV because "four fingers" is a derogatory reference to Japan's untouchable burakumin caste. Disney pays millions for an exemption for Mickey
yVJVM TIL of the "Cave bears", a now extinct species who lived predominantly in caves throughout Europe
DQBbg TIL the sumo wrestling ring (dohyou) is constructed by the ring ushers (yobidashi) before every tournament. They destroy the previous ring and the new one takes 3 days to build. One reason for reconstruction is that the rice straw bales might rot and cause the ring to crack.