› added 7 years ago

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TIL there is no such thing as a 'triangle player' in an orchestra. The person playing the triangle is called a percussionist and masters at least 35 different instruments.

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R5L58 TIL that during the medieval period, there existed a female pope named Pope Joan. Legend has it that she disguised herself as a man and rose to the papacy in the 9th century. Her true identity was allegedly revealed when she gave birth during a procession.
ow78 TIL Producers of the Big Bang Theory discovered a nearly identical show called “The Theorists” being produced and broadcast in the country of Belarus. Legal action wasn’t necessary because when the actors found out it was a rip-off they all quit and it was cancelled.
dD6vZ TIL that Roger Corman, director of low-budget movies, helped kick start the careers of Francis Ford Coppola, Martin Scorsese, James Cameron, and Ron Howard. He reportedly told Howard: "If you do a good job on this film, you'll never have to work for me again."
5VG88 TIL Eminem wrote 'Brain Damage' about his actual childhood bully, DeAngelo Bailey. Bailey boasted in an interview that he gave Eminem a concussion so bad, his ears bled and he lost his vision. He had also attempted to sue Eminem for slander in 2001. A judge dismissed the claim in the form of a rap.
YpYRd TIL of Maurice Herzog, the french mountaineer who summited Annapurna 1 first in 1950, the deadliest 8000 meter mountain with a 32% death rate. Not only was this the first 8000 meter peak summited, but also the only 8000 meter peak conquered on its first attempt.