/r/todayilearned
TIL that Michael Jackson wrote "Do The Bartman" after calling the producers of "The Simpsons" and offering to write Bart a number-one single, but he couldn't receive credit for it because he was under contract to Epic Records.
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TIL the US actually built a “panopticon” jail, loosely following the infamous 18th century utilitarian proposal where inmates are constantly wondering whether or not they are being watched by unseen guards: the “Twin Towers” jail in Los Angeles.
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TIL Bridesmaids traditionally wear almost the exact same thing as the bride to confuse bandits and evil spirits who wish to harm her
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TIL that Stephen Hawking had a great sense of humor. Addressing the rumor that Stephen Hawking would deliberately run over the toes of people he didn’t like. He denied this rumor by stating it was “A false rumor” and “I’ll run over anyone who repeats it”. 😂
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TIL: Teddy Roosevelt was VP due to his support of anti-trust reform, and conservatives knew the VP had little power. Six months into the term, President McKinley was assassinated and Roosevelt became President, ushering in an unprecedented era of anti-trust and labor reforms.
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TIL: At least 1/3 of the US Cycling Team in 1984 LA Olympics were doped with a process called "blood doping". The American Cycling team won 9 medals.
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TIL Coal baron James Dunsmuir envisioned a medieval castle for his retirement and built Hatley Castle. It was like a small city on Vancouver Island with over 100 residents and servants in 1911. None of his children could afford the $1,500 monthly upkeep so it was sold at $260,000
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TIL The ship "Conception" burned down and killed 33 scuba divers and one crewman in 2019, the captain of the ship, Jerry Boylan, jumped off the ship before anyone else. Four crewmen and the captain survived.
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TIL that the longest orgasm in mammals is that of the domestic pig (Sus scrofa domesticus). On average, its orgasm lasts 30 minutes, but it can last for as long as 90 minutes. NSFW
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