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TIL That the TOR Network was created by the United States Naval Research Laboratory to protect American Intelligence communications.

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5YmGQ TIL that "Letterlocking" was a technique used widely from the 13-18th centuries to fold and secure correspondence in such a way to prevent tampering during transit. A letterlocked paper, sealed with wax, becomes its own envelope. Video link is an example by MIT prof who has researched the practice.
VM74Z TIL that in 1795 the Dutch navy was defeated near the island of Texel when the French army found out they were stuck in ice. So the French army simply rode up to them on horseback and the Dutch were forced to surrender.
M7kgb TIL the test pilot for the first fighter jet would fly dressed as a gorilla in a hat to allow US Air Force psychologists to gaslight other pilots into believing they hadn't witnessed a “gorilla, wearing a derby hat, waving a stogie at them” flying a fast-moving plane without a propeller
grbab TIL - in 1984, National Lampoon published a parody of Frank Herbert’s Dune - called Doon (the dessert planet). The currency everyone sought was beer, rather than spice.
jNKGj TIL there was an cartridge released in 1994 that could let you play existing games for the SNES and Genesis online for 20$ and 5$ subscription fee. It was essentially a modem on a cartage that you plugged your games on top. It also had email build in.