› added 9 years ago

198

TIL that an engineer at NASA spent fifteen years trying to become an astronaut, being rejected fourteen times before finally being selected in 1998.

Read more esquire.com

via reddit.com

KjeB TIL that there is a disorder named Pica, which is often caused by iron or other mineral deficiencies. The person suffering from it craves for things which have no nutritional value such as paper, clay, metal, chalk, soil, glass, or sand.
XyWR TIL that if you were born in the US in the 60s or later, the government already has your DNA in a database through the mandatory newborn screening program.
W77e4 TIL Male nipples have a purpose - they are used to “comfort nurse” babies while mom is busy, and have been used to do so across history
Z806B Today I learned about Zura Karuhimbi, a 'witch' who saved over 100 people during the Rwandan genocide because attackers believed she possessed magical powers.
WWaX TIL during the 14th century, medical experts from Paris declared bathing a health concern because it was claimed warm water opened pores and made people more susceptible to bubonic plague