› added 5 months ago

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TIL in the early 20th century, in order to prevent smells and occasional explosions, the United Kingdom installed "Sewer Gas Destructor Lamps." The street lamps, connected to sewer vents, generated heat which would draw up gases to the lanterns. The odors and bacteria would burn off in the flames.

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9LLp TIL The eBay secondary market for Nike shoes is conservatively estimated at $230 million which would represent 8.5% of Nike earnings for 2014. Nike is happy this market exists and isn’t trying to stop it because the sneakerheads that drive it spread the Nike gospel better than they can.
Y7PJW TIL that the word “Crocodile” come from a Greek word meaning “worm of the stones”
9wnO7 TIL That the first documented 'hysteria' reaction to a music performance, wasn't with Elvis, who is most often remembered as the initiator, but was Frank Sinatra in 1944 when 30000 fans took over Times Square NY in what became known as 'The Columbus Day Riot'.
GYDQG TIL the wax in paper cups is actually a plastic called Polyethylene or PE, the most commonly used plastic in the world and is practically non-recyclable.
4Xobb TIL there once existed the Silver Republican Party, a US political party that split from the Republican Party in the 1890s over the issues of bimetallism and free silver. It disbanded in the early 1900s and most of its members joined the GOP, but some went to the Democrats.