› added 11 years ago

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TIL that the French executed the father of modern Chemistry Antoine Lavoisier for tax fraud. The judge said “The republic needs neither scientists nor chemists.”

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MjYm TIL that John McCain, while a POW in Vietnam, was pressured to give the names of his squadron members. He instead gave them the names of the Green Bay Packers offensive line.
e416 TIL in 2005 a portion of T-Rex bone was dissolved in acid, it revealed soft tissue with sections of possible DNA.
epxG4 TIL that there’s such a thing as basically turtle wax for actual turtles.
ANx6a TIL of shell cordovan, a rare "leather" that isn't made from animal skin, but connective tissue from a horse's buttocks. Shoes made from them are waterproof, don't crease, don't require polishing, and can last indefinitely. Only two major tanneries make them.
woJy8 TIL virgin queen bees will release battle cries and fight to the death until only one remains in the hive