That Time People Were Terrified of Libraries
Today, libraries across the US and the rest of the world are seen as centers of free learning, presenting enormous opportunities for children and adults alike. However, not too long ago, people in the...
19 Aug 202138min
Ostracism: How Ancient Greeks Handled Uncool Politicians
What if you could put troublesome citizens into time out for a decade? That's what ancient Athenians did through the practice of ostracism. This vote, which wasn't the same thing as a trial, resulted ...
17 Aug 202136min
Military Cats, Part 2: Simon Saves the British
When 17-year old British seaman George Hickenbottom saw an undernourished, ailing stray wandering the dockyards of Hong Kong, his heart melted. He smuggled the cat about the HMS Amethyst and named him...
12 Aug 202130min
Military Cats, Part 1: Spies and Mascots
When you think of military animals, you might imagine horses, dogs and elephants — but what about cats? As it turns out, humanity’s feline friends have walked side by side with soldiers since the days...
10 Aug 202139min
That Time People Rioted Over a Hot Air Balloon
These days hot air balloons are often thought of as anachronistic novelties -- but in the early days of aeronautics, they were considered fascinating, dangerous and deadly. In today's episode, the guy...
5 Aug 202134min
An Alabama Town Built a Statue Honoring the Insect that Almost Destroyed It
Enterprise, Alabama is home to a fascinating statue honoring the boll weevil, a tiny creature that once wreaked havoc across cotton country. So what inspired the good people of Enterprise to erect a s...
3 Aug 202134min
A Prince and His Poodle: The Supernatural Adventures of Rupert and Boy
When the Earl of Rundel learned his acquaintance Prince Rupert was languishing in an Austrian prison during the Thirty Years' War, he gifted the prince a rare white hunting poodle as a companion. Rupe...
29 Juli 202142min
How One Guy Made Europe Fall In Love With Potatoes
Today, the humble potato can be found in restaurants and dinner tables across the world -- but this wasn't always the case. In today's episode, Ben and Noel dive into the story of one spud-loving, pot...
27 Juli 20211h 2min
