› added 1 month ago

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TIL that nearly 2 out of every 3 revolvers sold in the US are made by a Brazilian company. Taurus, based in Brazil, dominates the American revolver market with a staggering 61% share

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8alQK TIL The US may have adopted the metric system if pirates hadn’t kidnapped the French scientist sent to help Thomas Jefferson persuade Congress to adopt the system
wo8WM TIL: Confederate General Patrick Cleburne proposed recruiting slaves to fight for them and granting their freedom as a reward, arguing this would strengthen the confederacy. The idea was quickly shot down after facing strong opposition from other confederate leaders.
dDLQQ TIL the first paper gift card was created by an Oregon glove company in 1908 that advertised "gift givers need not worry about picking the right size or color glove"; department store Neiman Marcus created the first plastic card; and Blockbuster Video was a pioneer of displaying them to customers
8eABZ TIL: in 1275, the count of Holland exempted the residents of the tiny fishing village of Amsterdam from tolls, attracting large numbers of merchants and putting it on a path to develop into a major trading hub over the centuries
QNkka TIL that Lawrence Pazder, author of 'Michelle Rememebers', withdrew his assertion of the abuse done on Michelle Smith by the Church of Satan when Anton LaVey threatened to sue for libel, as the church was founded years after the events of the book.