› added 7 months ago

29

TIL that scientists use particle accelerators brighter than the sun to understand how plant roots can grow through hard ground, helping to engineer drought-resistant crops

Read more theconversation.com

via reddit.com

rR4kx TIL that Oscar the Grouch was originally orange. He turned green after he ‘went on vacation to Swamp Mushy Muddy’.
kJ9P5 TIL about Sir Robert Hart, the most important and influential Westerner in Qing dynasty China. He was China's Inspector General of Maritime Customs for nearly half a century and also laid the foundations for China's national postal service, railway, meteorological and navigation systems.
eNZn TIL Prior to River Phoenix’s death, he had been cast in Interview With The Vampire. After his passing, Christian Slater replaced him and donated his entire salary for the film to Phoenix’s two favorite charities.
8awmG TIL the Rose Parade in Pasadena, CA was started in 1890 as a way to convince East Coast residents to move to California by "showcasing California's mild weather" by proving the "flowers are still blooming and oranges are about to bear."
OoPMa TIL the invention of the vibrator preceded the vacuum cleaner and electric iron by a decade, after doctors grew tired of having to manually climax the ‘hysteria’ out of women.