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That Time the US was Terrified of Tomatoes
Nowadays the tomato is an ubiquitous foodstuff in households across the planet - but in the US, this humble staple was once considered downright pois…
5 years, 4 months ago
How the Pandemic Helped (and Hurt) the Struggle for Women's Rights
The 1918 epidemic played a massive, sometimes unacknowledged role in the struggle for women's rights. Tune in and learn more in today's episode.
Lea…
5 years, 4 months ago
How a German Prince Built his own Artificial Volcano
Like many nobles of his day, Leopold III Friedrich Franz traveled widely in his youth, taking in the ancient wonders of Europe. A stunning experience…
5 years, 4 months ago
The Weird Origin of Pink Lemonade, Part 2: The Rise of Clown Pants
As historians dove into the evolution of pink lemonade, one theory about its origin seemed particularly compelling (if gross): Pink lemonade, they ar…
5 years, 4 months ago
The Weird Origin of Pink Lemonade, Part 1: A Humble Citrus
Nowadays, lemonade is a pretty popular drink -- and its counterpart, pink lemonade, occupies a space all its own. But where did this drink come from?…
5 years, 4 months ago
An Elephant in the Vatican, Part 2: An Elephant in the Reformation
As Pope Leo X's favorite pal, Hanno enjoyed a unique position in the Vatican -- he was the star of multiple gatherings and celebrations (which didn't…
5 years, 4 months ago
An Elephant in the Vatican, Part 1: The Discovery of Hanno
In February of 1962, HVAC workers discovered the remains of an elephant beneath the Cortile del Belvedere -- and a mystery was ahoof. The story begin…
5 years, 4 months ago
S T O V E G O B L I N
Today's setting: Zaragoza, Spain. The time: September of 1934. The problem? A stove goblin. At least, that's what the hapless Palazón thought as they…
5 years, 5 months ago
The US Didn't Always Have Secret Ballots
Nowadays, voters in the US consider secret ballots a fundamental part of any election. Yet -- perhaps surprisingly -- this wasn't always the case. Th…
5 years, 5 months ago
The Case of the Greenbrier Ghost, Part 2: The Court
When the defense called Mary Jane Heaster to the stand, they likely meant to discredit her. However, she maintained that her daughter, Elva, had visi…
5 years, 5 months ago