Where Did Mathematical Symbols Come From? (Encore)
One of the simplest mathematical statements possible is 2+2=4. While the concept is very easy to understand, when you write it down, you have to use mathematical symbols, historically a relatively rec...
24 Elo 202211min
J. Harlen Bretz: Proving Theories Via Outliving Your Critics (Encore)
Many people have an idealized view of how science works. They think that someone makes a discovery or publishes a paper, then everyone acknowledges their discovery, and everyone moves on to the next t...
23 Elo 20229min
The Grand Duchy of Luxembourg
Sandwiched between the nations of Germany, Belgium, and France is one of the smallest countries in the world. Given its location, it is a blend of cultures and languages. Likewise, its history has be...
22 Elo 202212min
Gemini 3 and The World’s Most Controversial Corned Beef Sandwich
The quest to conquer space had many problems and many unknowns. Simple, basic things on Earth can be quite difficult in the zero gravity conditions of outer space. One of the earliest spaceflights fo...
21 Elo 20229min
The Legend of Jim Thorpe
Jim Thorpe was a Native American of the Sac and Fox Nation. He was born in 1887 in what was then known as the Indian territory and today is known as the state of Oklahoma. He excelled at every sport ...
20 Elo 202214min
The Spanish-American War
Wars are often notable points that punctuate the historical timeline. It is a period of tragedy, drama, and often geopolitical changes. However, there are some wars that have been all but forgotten f...
19 Elo 202213min
Michelangelo: The Greatest Artist of the Renaissance
In 1475, Michelangelo Buonarroti was born in Caprese, Italy. Over the next 88 years, he left a legacy of paintings and sculptures, unlike any artist before or since. His art shaped the city he came ...
18 Elo 202213min
The Pan-American Highway
At the 1923 Pan-American Conference, a proposal was presented to link together all of the countries of the Western Hemisphere. A single road that would run from the shore of the Arctic Ocean all the w...
17 Elo 202213min
