Victorian Orchidelirium

This 2013 episode covers Benjamin Banneker, a man of color in Colonial America who became an accomplished scholar despite having almost no formal schooling.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy info...

13 Jan 202421min

Holly and Tracy talk about how actuarial science informs other fields, the book "The Player," and insurance mentions in Terry Pratchett's writing. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

12 Jan 202415min

As life insurance and assurance became more common, companies that offered coverage ran into in problems in the 18th and 19th century. Part 2 also covers how Insurance has been used by gamblers as a g...

10 Jan 202434min

Actuarial science is all about calculating risk – risk of injury, illness, death, risk of market shifts and financial outcomes. Part one covers the earliest population tables and early examples of lif...

8 Jan 202435min

This 2019 episode covers the career Alfred Wegener had outside of his ideas around what we now understand as plate tectonics, which had both detractors and supporters. See omnystudio.com/listener for ...

6 Jan 202432min

Holly and Tracy talk about the new year and the ways they use calendars. Tracy mentions the birds that often receive ire from humans.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

5 Jan 202422min

In the 19th century, a heated dispute arose over the house sparrow and its introduction into North America. Elliot Coues and Thomas Mayo Brewer held opposing opinions on the matter which they defended...

3 Jan 202439min

People have kept diaries and recorded notes since writing was invented. But planners as we think of them today have their roots in almanacs.  Research: Atkins, Samuel. “Kalendarium Pennsilvaniense.” ...

1 Jan 202433min