› added 2 weeks ago

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TIL that Robert Fulton, developer of the first commercially successful steamboat, was involved in multiple polyamorous relationships. One lover, Joel Barlow, wrote him letters in baby talk threatening to cut off his penis. Fulton asked his wife to join a foursome with the Barlows, but she declined.

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N0E1 TIL comedian Andy Kaufman once played a show at Carnegie Hall, afterword he loaded the entire audience into twenty four buses and took them all out for milk and cookies.
b9ogN TIL The Brothers Grimm wrote a fairytale, called The Brave Little Tailor, wherein a tailor kills seven flies in one blow and, through an amazing series of misunderstandings, becomes the king of his own kingdom.
woPGY TIL in 2007, Malaysia sent its first astronaut to the ISS. The government and Islamic scholars also wrote that in order to pray, Muslims in space should face Mecca if possible; but if not, they could face the Earth generally, or just face “wherever.”
MRBb TIL in 2006, soup kitchens in France associated with a far-right organization were closed down by police because they only served pork. Protesters accused the kitchens of discriminating against Jews and Muslims who can’t eat the meat due to their religion.
KXJw TIL Native Americans have been holding a National Day of Mourning on Thanksgiving since 1970