/f/todayilearned
TIL that in 1950, scientists at the University of California, Berkeley, synthesized a highly radioactive element by bombarding curium-242 with alpha particles. They named this new element "Californium" and its discovery was initially kept classified due to its potential military uses.
en.wikipedia.orgSubmitted by theID10T t3_11u107i
TIL that the Fritos Company began when Charles Doolin bought a corn chip recipe, ricer, and 19 retail accounts from a corn chip maker for $100, which Doolin borrowed from his mother. His mother's kitchen was the first office of the Frito Company, which had a capacity of 10 lb of chips daily.
en.wikipedia.orgSubmitted by jdward01 t3_10lzk33
TIL Jason Everman, former Army Ranger and Green Beret, was Nirvana's original second guitarist and can even be seen on the Bleach cover, although he doesn't perform on the album. He later briefly joined Soundgarden as Hiro Yamamato's successor on bass.
en.wikipedia.orgSubmitted by Chrahhh t3_11m3jm3
Submitted by One_aspect_ t3_zu8yc3
TIL: The final night of women's figure skating in 1994's Winter Olympics is the 6th highest rated TV broadcast in US history. Remembered for the Kerrigan-Harding subplot, 48.5% of all households with a TV watched the final. Since then, no other broadcast has matched that rating.
en.wikipedia.orgSubmitted by theotherbogart t3_zmxbfm
TIL: Jesse Livermoore pioneered day trading. His shorts for the 1906 SF earthquake and the 1929 crash are considered legendary. He grew up poor, but at 14 worked as a board boy at a stock firm and started gambling. He would consistently become rich or bankrupt, and he died with millions in debt.
en.wikipedia.orgSubmitted by Flares117 t3_10h7n0z
TIL about Eurypterids, or "sea scorpions", the largest known arthropods ever to have lived. The largest, Jaekelopterus, reached 2.5 meters (8.2 ft) in length. Many forms lived in brackish or fresh water, and their dual respiratory system allowed for short periods of time on land.
en.wikipedia.orgSubmitted by WouldbeWanderer t3_z8ynhn
TIL the Wayne Gretzky trade from Edmonton to the LA Kings yielded a "Trade Tree" that lasted 34 years (i.e. the players and draft picks Gretzky was traded for in 1988 spawned their own trades and draft picks over the years, with the final player leaving the NHL before this current season.)
dailyhive.comSubmitted by doctor-rumack t3_10r0nb5