› added 6 months ago

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TIL that when Borland needed a name for a new software product, developers wanted to call it "Delphi". Marketing wanted "AppBuilder". A few months before release, Novell shipped its own "AppBuilder", preventing that name's use. The developers got their wish and the company announced Borland Delphi.

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via reddit.com

x6K1D TIL in Han China there were two men with the same name (Han Xin) at the same time who had very similar life trajectories. Both fought the Qin dynasty and joined the Han, both were given vassal kingdoms due to military achievements, and both were killed in 196 BC in connection with the same rebellion
Yp5MW TIL the sci-fi technology of the "mass driver" or electromagnetic catapult is real. The first prototype was built in 1977 for only $2,000, and the device was theorized by a sci-fi writer in 1937.
NX46e TIL about Rocket Boots, invented by Soviet scientist Viktor Gordeyev. Instead of actual rockets, the boots were equipped with pistons filled with a fuel-air mixture. The boots enabled an average speed of 10.5 mph and a maximum speed of 22 mph.
PYmng TIL that in 2011 a giant sculpture of a woman bathing was built in the Alster Lake, Hamburg Germany. It remained in the Lake for 10 days and was made up of a head and 2 knees protruding from the water.
lo8gK TIL in Victorian times, ice cream was sold in small quantities called a 'penny lick' wherein a small amount of ice cream was placed onto a licking glass, which the customer would lick clean and return. It was banned due to concerns about spreading TB, as the glass was not washed between customers.