› added 1 week ago

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TIL that the term "computer" originally referred to a person who performed calculations manually, often employed in teams to compute complex mathematical problems before the advent of electronic computers.

Read more cacm.acm.org

via reddit.com

E1kjW TIL on 1529, Hernán Cortés received the Marquessate of the Valley of Oaxaca as a fief in Mexico
ADmL7 TIL that you should wait 72 hours after it rains to swim in the ocean. Storm runoff that empties into the ocean carries increased levels of contaminants, like bacteria, fertilizers, and sewage. Swimming in the ocean too soon can increase your risk of various infections.
7jrX TIL Fox ran a contest for fans to guess Who Shot Mr. Burns and win a once-in-a-lifetime chance to be animated in the show. The ‘winner’ actually got the answer wrong, didn’t watch the Simpsons and took cash instead of being animated.
YpOZB TIL a high school football coach was arrested after he vandalized his own school and tried to blame a rival school by spray painting their logo next to insults aimed at his fellow players and coaches. He’d hoped to motivate his team to win against them in an upcoming game. They lost.
g5E9 TIL George Lucas and Steven Spielberg were both executive producers on The Land Before Time