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The original was posted on /r/todayilearned by /u/Brutal_Deluxe_ on 2025-01-18 18:54:43+00:00.

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