The Irish Potato Famine (Encore)
In 1845, farmers around Europe suffered from a blight that devastated the potato crop. This lasted for several years, but nowhere was it more pronounced than it was on the island of Ireland, where it...
17 Jan 202412min
The London Underground
The 19th century saw an explosion in population in London. The city grew severalfold and became the largest city in the world. With so many people and the city growing so rapidly, transportation beca...
16 Jan 202414min
The History of Pasta
There is a very good chance that many of you listening have had pasta, maybe within the last week. Pasta is a simple, affordable food that comes in a wide variety of forms. It can be served with almo...
15 Jan 202413min
Swiss Mercenaries (Encore)
When most people think of Switzerland, they think of a small country embedded in the Alps that makes fine chocolates and is the home of the cuckoo clock. They have been neutral in European conflicts f...
14 Jan 202412min
Alternative Forms of Space Flight
Every single rocket that has ever been launched into space has been a rocket that burned some sort of fuel. These chemical fuel rockets have worked well for making the short trip to orbit. Beyond tha...
13 Jan 202413min
Human Life Expectancy
Everyone, I have some good news and some bad news. The bad news is that you and everyone else listening to me right now are mortal. As of the recording of this episode, time is undefeated. The good...
12 Jan 202414min
The Last of the Romanovs (Encore)
For over 300 years, the Romanov family ruled over the Russian Empire. After the Communist Revolution, Tsar Nicholas II abdicated the throne, and he and his family were placed under house arrest, wher...
11 Jan 202415min
LEDs: Light Emitting Diodes
One of the most important inventions in human history was artificial lighting. With the electric lightbulb, the night could be illuminated, allowing people to extend their productive hours in the day ...
10 Jan 202414min
