The original post: /r/todayilearned by /u/Brutal_Deluxe_ on 2025-01-18 18:54:43.

Original Title: TIL the design of large Victorian-era glasshouses takes its cue from the waterlily’s huge leaves. Joseph Paxton tested his idea by standing his daughter on a floating leaf, and then went on to build the 1,851 feet (564 m) long, 128 feet (39 m) high Crystal Palace using the same principle