The original post: /r/todayilearned by /u/Flares117 on 2025-01-29 17:44:46.

Original Title: TIL: A 1795 court case, Cutter V Powell, established contract law regarding substantive performance. A sailor agreed for a 10 week voyage, but died 7 weeks in. His wife sued to be reimbursed for the time he was alive. The court ruled that no payment be given as the contract wasn’t complete.