› added 11 years ago

1642

TIL No existing species of tree can grow higher than 130 meters (427 feet) as it is physically impossible for the water to rise higher due to pressure.

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ZE6v TIL the saying “cut of one’s jib” is because in the 17th century, the shape of the jib sail often identified a vessel’s nationality, and hence whether it was hostile or friendly.
QJDwk TIL In 1536, French explorer Jacques Cartier and his crew were cured of scurvy by drinking tea of pine needles and by eating bark given to them by the Iroquois after the crew suffered months of nutritional deprivation at sea. Pine needles have approximately 3 to 5 times more vitamin C than an orange
5aGk TIL That the man who first entered the stratosphere was the father of the first man to reach the deepest part of the ocean and is the grandfather of the man that is now leading the innovation of completely solar powered planes
laN1 TIL: The food company Heinz has apologized after a QR code on a bottle of tomato ketchup directed people to a pornography website.
rRAy4 TIL that Ted Kaczynski, the "Unabomber", was caught after his brother, David, read Ted's manifesto (that Ted had demanded to be published in a major newspaper as a condition for ceasing the mail bombings), recognized Ted's writing style, and informed the FBI. David received a $1 million reward.