› added 5 years ago

77

TIL Phineas Gage, (1823–1860) an American railroad construction foreman remembered for his improbable survival of an accident in which a large iron rod was driven completely through his head, destroying much of his brain's left frontal lobe.

Read more wikipedia.org

via reddit.com

a8WPZ TIL that sibling actors John and Joan Cusack have appeared in 10 movies together: Class (1983), Sixteen Candles (1984), Grandview, U.S.A. (1984), Broadcast News (1987), Say Anything, (1989), Grosse Pointe Blank (1997), Cradle Will Rock. Their sister Ann also appeared in Grosse Pointe Blank.
Debj TIL that the largest bioterrorist attack on U.S. soil (1984) was committed by the Rajneeshee cult, who contaminated ten Taco Time salad bars in Oregon so they could incapacitate voters and win local elections.
M71RK TIL about the Kalakuta Republic, which was a communal compound in Lagos, Nigeria owned by nigerian musician and activist Fela Kuti. It was later destroyed by the Nigerian Military in 1977
d8e9r TIL that weighted blankets weren't designed as a sleep aid. They were first used as an alternative to physically restraining children with autism or pervasive developmental disabilities, as well as adults in acute-care psychiatric units.
QJpbp TIL that "Tom's Diner" was the first song ever converted to MP3. "This song was chosen because of its nearly monophonic nature and wide spectral content, making it easier to hear imperfections in the compression format during playbacks. Some refer to Suzanne Vega as "The mother of MP3""