Post * x8do — Curious Curator

› added 10 years ago

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TIL that one of the first prototype looping roller coasters had a perfectly circular loop. As a result, riders were exposed to approximately 12gs of force, and frequently suffered neck injuries while riding. The modern roller coaster loop uses a “tear drop” shape to reduce G forces significantly.

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PYpAL TIL of Red Cell, a team led by the original commander of SEAL Team 6 to test the security of government installations. Red Cell would sneak into military bases, steal classified information, kidnap high ranking officers and admirals, and even plant bombs near Air Force One.

dJAZ TIL Jesse James once gave a widow he was staying with $1400 to pay off a debt collector. He told her to give him the money and get a receipt. James then hid and waited for the debt collector to leave, and then robbed the man as he left the widow’s home.

XVOr TIL that Penn Jillette paints one fingernail red in memory of his mother. She told him to get a manicure because people would be looking at his hands, so he painted his left fingernail red as a joke. He now always has it painted red in memory of her.

neRD7 TIL There are actually 25 languages spoken among the population of 17.26 million in Guatemala. According to the Language Law of 2003, these 25 languages are recognized as officials. As a first and second language, Spanish is spoken by 93% of the population.

dXZj TIL in 2013, Mattel will produce a Barbie that is bald in support of children who have cancer and lose their hair in treatment.