› added 5 months ago

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TIL Mozart wrote a concerto for flute and harp on commission for a French flutist and his harpist daughter. Mozart was never paid for the pierce and therefore he never wrote for the harp again. In Mozart's 40 concertos, he only wrote once for the combined flute and harp

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via reddit.com

gMDW8 TIL that in 1861, the Japanese created an illustrated history of the United States called Osanaetoki Bankokubanashi (“Children’s Illustrated Tales from 10,000 Countries”) which is a mythology of bizarre tales about the country, including John Adams and his fight against a giant serpent
xVPA5 TIL that the original purpose of the hood ornament on a car, before they were artistic and ornate, was a visible thermometer for the car's coolant. Image in comments.
bpVj TIL that Vincent Van Gogh only sold one painting during his lifetime.
a6AJ TIL WD-40 is not patented, to avoid disclosing its full ingredients, making it harder to copy.
9w8AQ TIL that scientists have discovered doing simple calf raises while sitting at your desk can raise your metabolism for hours.