› added 2 years ago

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TIL that archaeologists routinely find edible honey in ancient Egyptian tombs - the stuff never spoils, due to extremely low water-content, very low pH, and hydrogen peroxide (made by an enzyme in the bees' stomachs). How Cool!

Read more smithsonianmag.com

via reddit.com

KYZdR TIL in an attempt to assassinate Hitler, a Nazi officer hid two time bombs in his jacket and led Hitler on a tour of a museum. Hitler raced through the museum and left before the bombs exploded, so the officer had to rush to the bathroom where he defused the bombs "at the last second."
WkvgA TIL that one hotel owner's refusal to serve another's daughter fried chicken led to the second man building a rival hotel in right next door. Locals referred to it as the 'Fried Chicken War'
8aMyV TIL a polar bear's outer layer of fur isn't white, each hair is actually a hollow and completely transparent tube. The fur only appears white because of the reflection of the sun and unlike most arctic mammals, they do not shed their coat in the summer in order to maintain camouflage.
NXxRE TiL bees like to 'play' with balls. A study shows bumble bees went out of their way to roll wooden balls repeatedly despite no apparent incentive. Younger bees rolled more balls than older bees and male bees rolled them for longer than female bees.
jNGgR Today I learned feeling guilt and remorse for doing an addictive act makes us do it again and again. On the other hand forgiving ourselves and seeing things optimistically makes overcome the acts easily.