› added 3 months ago

16

TIL that in 1862, amid a Civil War coin shortage, American entrepreneur and inventor John Gault, invented “encased postage stamps" - real stamps sealed in brass with transparent windows. He called them “New Metallic Currency” and made extra money selling advertising space on the backs to businesses.

Read more wikipedia.org

via reddit.com

Z8JgB TIL at age 11 Hugh Jackman decided against dance lessons because his older brother told him "dancing is for sissy's." Years later his brother apologized and encouraged him to follow his passion. Hugh signed up for lessons the following day and went on to win a Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical.
1XPO TIL James Harrison aka The Man With the Golden Arm started donating blood regularly after age 18 and scientists found that his blood contains Rh (D) immune globulin or anti-D, which helps prevent fetuses who have Rhesus Disease. He has made over 1000 blood donations and saved 2,000,000 babies.
QQ4d TIL Frederick Fleet, the fellow that spotted the fatal iceberg that caused the Titanic to sink, survived and committed suicide 53 years later.
9w5jG TIL the Nuremberg Trials executioner lied to the US Military about his prior experience. He botched a number of hangings prior to Nuremberg. The Nuremberg criminals had their faces battered bloody against the too-small trapdoor and were hung from short ropes, with many taking over 10 minutes to die.
K8ew TIL Jane’s Addiction is named for a real woman, who is still alive and is now sober.