› added 10 years ago

172

TIL that the Hoover Dam, adjusted for inflation, cost less than a modern B2 Stealth Bomber

Read more wikipedia.org

via reddit.com

8R8b TIL that while high profile scientists such as Carl Sagan have advocated the transmission of messages into outer space, Stephen Hawking has warned against it, suggesting that aliens might simply raid Earth for its resources and then move on.
GAMWj TIL that seagulls have a special gland that allows them to drink saltwater without getting dehydrated. This gland filters out the salt, which they then excrete through their nostrils. I found it fascinating because it shows how well-adapted these birds are to their coastal environments!
9wyG7 TIL at the Battle of Red Cliffs in 208 AD, Chinese General Cao Cao captured the naval port of Jiangling and seized a river fleet. He lashed his boats together into clusters to stabilize them for queasy troops. Enemy troops lit their own boats on fire and sent them at the fleet, burning them all down
wG7W TIL that the CEO of LifeLock, who regularly gives out his Social Security number in LifeLock advertisements, has had his identity stolen thirteen times.
b6gdQ TIL only colleges and universities based in the United States are eligible for a .edu domain name