› added 6 years ago

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TIL that US Navy periscope operators now use Xbox controllers, as the original control stick was deemed too complicated and a lot more expensive. Xbox controllers are so widely used that the learning time is hugely reduced, and they cost $37,980 less.

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via reddit.com

JPXQ TIL McSorley’s Old Ale House, the oldest Irish tavern in New York City (founded 1854) didn’t allow women inside until 1970 when the National Organization of Women sued them for discrimination
VBXDk TIL the 1988 Camelford Water Disaster was the UK's worst mass poisoning event. Twenty tonnes of aluminium sulphate was accidentally added to the water supply, leading thousands to become sick. Inquests on people who died many years later found very high levels of aluminium in the brain.
DOrp TIL Adele never made a music video for her #1 song “Set Fire to the Rain” because she was undergoing vocal surgery at the time the song was released. This is why an unofficial lyrics video of the song has gotten over 300 million views on YouTube; the most watched lyrical video of all time.
loyaK TIL that there is a Guinness World Record for the tallest stack of M&M's. Will Cutbill currently holds the record of 5 M&M’s.
MxmW TIL that there are at least 22 cat statues scattered about the city of York on top of buildings and houses. They are thought to have been put in place as far back as the early 19th century. Residents personally decorate these statues and the cats are said to protect the residents of the city