The Tyranny of the Rocket Equation
In 1897, the visionary Russian rocket scientist Konstantin Tsiolkovsky discovered an equation that governed how rockets worked. His equation, which was independently discovered by several other rocke...
27 Huhti 202313min
Was the Holy Roman Empire, Holy, Roman, or an Empire? (Encore)
In the 18th century, the French writer and philosopher Voltaire said, ??”This body which was called, and which still calls itself, the Holy Roman Empire was in no way holy, nor Roman, nor an empire.” ...
26 Huhti 202312min
The Aral Sea
At the start of the 20th century, the world’s third-largest lake was located in Central Asia. It had been known to the people of the Asian steppes for thousands of years. However, by the end of the 2...
25 Huhti 202311min
ANZAC Day
Every year on April 25, Australia and New Zealand celebrate a holiday that is unique to those two countries. It is one of the most important days on the calendar, and it was created to celebrate an e...
24 Huhti 202311min
Venus
As long as humans have looked up in the sky, they noticed something. There was an unusually bright star that would show up in the early morning or early evening. This star was one of the few points o...
23 Huhti 202312min
Han van Meegeren: Forgery As an Art Form (Encore)
In 1945 after the conclusion of the Second World War, a Dutch man was accused of collaborating with the Nazis and plundering the Netherlands of some of its greatest artistic works. During the trial, ...
22 Huhti 202310min
The Origin of Words and Phrases: Volume 1
The English language is full of very quirky idioms and phrases. Every language has them, and these are just some of the things which make each language unique. Most native speakers of English may use...
21 Huhti 202312min
The History of Coffee
Sometime in the 15th century, a drink became popularized in the Arabian peninsula. It was dark, bitter, and people couldn’t get enough of it. From its simple origins, over the centuries, it has sprea...
20 Huhti 202313min
