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TIL In 1889, Mark Twain predicted the nature of trench warfare. He pitted 53 men versus 30,000 knights. Crouching behind minefields and electrified fences, and manning Gatling guns that “vomit death,” the time-traveler and his companions mow down rank upon gleaming rank of their armored assailants.

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jN0kX TIL there are more trees on Earth than stars in the Milky Way. A study led by Yale University researches with scientists from 15 different countries arrived at an estimate of 3,000,000,000,000 (3 trillions) of trees, by combining on-the-ground study with satellite imaging.
PYbLL TIL when Sylvester Stallone went to the person he sold his dog to, after he got paid for Rocky (1975), the new owner asked for $3000 instead of the original price of $60. After Stallone declined, the new owner agreed to give the dog if he got a role in Rocky. Stallone obliged and gave him a role.
PY7jJ TIL that commercial radio was invented due to a bet. Frank Conrad, the inventor, wanted to settle a $5 bet about the accuracy of his $12 watch. He ended up building a radio receiver with the original purpose to hear the time signals transmitted by the U.S. Naval Observatory.
BgxED TIL Sugar Ray (Fly, Every Morning, When It’s Over, etc) had a metal album before getting big in the 90s.
D166Y TIL that Willie O'Ree, the first black man to play in the NHL, was blind in one eye. It was caused by a ricocheting puck that hit him in the face when he was 18 and he kept it a secret for his entire 21-year career.