› added 12 years ago

93

TIL that Jimmy Carter had solar panels installed on the White House…and Ronald Reagan had them removed.

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4XwXb TIL: The Golden Gate Bridge's famed color, "International Orange" selected by architect Irving Morrow for aesthetics and for visibility in fog, won out over the US Navy's preferred color scheme. The Navy wanted it black with yellow safety stripes --the better for ships to see it.
e0jDk TIL Clay and earth are eaten in some nations; either for pleasure or to suppress hunger. One such clay is Kaolin, which is sold at most markets in Cameroon and is often flavored with spices such as black pepper and cardamom. Consumption is greatest among women, especially during pregnancy.
PY8ZO TIL that for the past 50 years, the Skilcraft US Government ballpoint pen has been produced by sight-impaired workers under an 80-year-old program dating to the New Deal to employ blind Americans.
nWKZd TIL that uterus prolapse can occur in women when the pelvic floor muscles weaken causing the uterus to descend into or even outside the vaginal canal. This condition can be caused by childbirth, aging, hormonal imbalance, chronic coughing or heavy lifting and can become fatal.
r8Wd TIL Philip II (father of Alexander the Great) threatened Sparta with “if I bring my army into your land, I will destroy your farms, slay your people, and raze your city.”. The Spartans simply replied with “if.”. neither Philip or Alexander attempted to capture the city.