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TIL in 1958, as an experiment, Bank of America mailed 60,000 residents of Fresno, California a small plastic card with a $500 credit line. BoA figured if it failed, there’d be no media coverage because it was in Fresno. The experiment was hugely successful and the program became Visa.

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yVkWw TIL In October 1809 Friedrich Staps attempted to assassinate Napoleon but was captured. Napoleon himself interrogated the would be assassin. On the possibility of being pardoned Staps said, ‘I would notwithstanding seize the first opportunity of taking your life.’ and he was executed on the 17th.
lo9ra TIL the Aorta can develop an aneurysm and burst, killing you in seconds. It's called the silent killer
Lkj60 TIL When you open your eyes in a perfectly dark room you don't see black, but "Eigengrau", a shade of gray that arises from visual noise
VBAaQ TIL about "Dishwasher Salmon" - 'Dishwasher salmon is an American fish dish made with the heat from a dishwasher, particularly from its drying phase. It is not generally recommended and can lead to undercooked fish and food poisoning.'
BrXAe TIL a small lake in Africa killed 1,700 villagers and 3,500 livestock overnight when it suddenly released 300,000 tons of carbon dioxide, suffocating everything within 16 miles. Scientists still don't know what triggered the event.