› added 1 year ago

45

TIL while most American sports are variations on older ones, volleyball, skateboarding, snowboarding and ultimate frisbee are completely American inventions

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yV0Aa TIL in October 1974, Hopkinsville, Kentucky, was invaded by 5−7 million blackbirds. They blanketed the town in droppings, creating health hazards and disrupting military operations at nearby Fort Campbell. The birds left in spring but caused $2.6M in damages (nearly $15M today).
a81Z TIL the plant colloquially referred to as Mormon tea was consumed by early Mormon Pioneers contains ephedra, a stimulant more powerful than caffeine.
nWEA9 TIL The Ghermezian brothers was inspired by the traditional bazaars that existed in Persian cultures and wanted to build the “Disney World of shopping malls”. They saw their West Edmonton Mall as “ninth wonder of the world” and it had an theme park named Fantasyland until they got sued by Disney
ePRE TIL In 1904, tea bags were invented accidentally. The inventor, Thomas Sullivan, decided that it was cheaper to send small samples to potential customers in silk bags instead of boxes. The recipients believed they were meant to be dunked and soon Sullivan was flooded with orders for his “tea bags”.
e08og TIL it’s been 30 years since Home Alone debuted. The McCallister’s house in the movie is an actual home in the Chicago suburbs. Located at 671 Lincoln Ave, Winnetka, IL, the 5-bedroom house is 4,243 square feet & is currently valued at about $1.7 million & Kevin placed 14 bobby traps in the house.