Explore the fascinating history of apples, from their origins in Central Asia and spread along the Silk Road to their domestication and mythological significance. Learn how grafting and extreme heterozygosity led to thousands of varieties, their vital role in colonial North America focused on cider production, the story of Johnny Appleseed, and their enduring presence in culture and modern global agriculture.
Seventy percent of the Earth’s surface is covered with water… and the vast majority of it is useless for consumption or agriculture. This problem has been known for thousands of years, and for thousands of years, humans have recognized that it is possible to turn seawater into drinking water; it was just difficult to do so. In the last few decades, however, the ability to get clean drinking water from the sea has gotten easier and might get even easier still. Learn more about desalination, how i...
We are all familiar with things that fly in the air. Hot air balloons, dirigibles, blimps, airplanes, and helicopters. However, there is another category of flying craft that most people aren’t familiar with. It isn’t an airplane, and it isn’t a helicopter. It actually lies somewhere in between. By combining parts of both, it has some amazing properties that neither one has. Learn more about the autogyro, what it is, and how it works, on this episode of Everything Everywhere Daily. ***5th Annive...
Explore transuranium elements, those heavier than uranium that are highly unstable and primarily created in laboratories. Discover the history of their synthesis, from early work by Glenn Seaborg and teams at Berkeley to breakthroughs using heavy ion bombardment at labs worldwide. Learn about the quest for the 'island of stability,' a theoretical region where superheavy elements might be relatively stable.
In 1818, the man who would go on to become one of the greatest leaders in the cause against American slavery was himself born into slavery. At the age of 20, he escaped bondage and went on to lead one of the most remarkable careers of the 19th century. He led a multifaceted life, including becoming one of the era’s most notable orators, a newspaper publisher, an author, a presidential advisor, and an ambassador. In the end, he perhaps played one of the biggest roles in the end of slavery. Learn ...
This episode explores the fascinating history and cultural significance of the color blue. Discover why blue is often one of the last colors to be named in a language, explore the "grew" phenomenon where green and blue share a single term, and learn about the historical challenges and rare sources like Lapis Lazuli and Indigo used to create this prized color.
Discover Operation Dragoon, the often-overlooked Allied invasion of Southern France in August 1944. This amphibious assault secured vital Mediterranean ports like Toulon and Marseille, providing crucial logistical support for Allied forces in France. It also boosted French national pride and pressured German defenses simultaneously engaged on the Normandy front.
Explore the fascinating world of hair, fur, and wool across the mammal kingdom. Learn about the biological composition and structure of hair, its various essential functions including insulation and protection, and the genetic basis behind human hair color and texture variations. The episode also delves into theories explaining why humans have less hair than other mammals and highlights the unique adaptations of hair in different animals like polar bears and sea otters.
The year 1800 marked a pivotal moment as the world stood on the cusp of radical change driven by ongoing revolutions. This episode explores the state of various global regions, including the Pacific, Asia, the Ottoman Empire, Africa, and the Americas, highlighting emerging challenges and shifts in power. It delves into the profound impact of the Enlightenment and the accelerating forces of the Scientific, Agricultural, and Industrial Revolutions that laid the groundwork for the transformative 19th century.
Discover the ingenious ways ancient humans mastered firemaking, a crucial skill for survival and development. This episode explores methods like friction, percussion (flint and steel), solar ignition, and even the lesser-known fire piston, detailing the techniques and materials used before the age of modern matches.
Discover the fascinating history of ice hockey, tracing its surprising roots from ancient stick-and-ball games in Europe and the Mi'kmaq people to the first organized indoor game in Montreal. Learn how the game evolved with the invention of the puck, the formation of leagues like the NHL and the Stanley Cup, its growth into a professional and international sport including Olympic play, and the rise of women's hockey.
Explore the fascinating history of surgery, a key advancement in human health, tracing its roots from 10,000-year-old trepanation to sophisticated modern techniques. Learn about key milestones like the detailed practices in ancient Egypt and India, the role of medieval barber surgeons, the impact of anatomical study during the Renaissance, and the revolutionary introductions of anesthesia and antiseptics in the 19th century. The episode also covers 20th-century breakthroughs like X-rays and blood transfusions, leading up to modern advancements such as organ transplantation, laparoscopic surgery, and robotic systems.
On the morning of August 27, 1883, one of the most destructive natural disasters of the 19th century occurred between the islands of Java and Sumatra, in what is today the nation of Indonesia. After weeks of low-level rumblings, a volcanic eruption totally obliterated the mountain that it had formed. The devastation wasn’t limited to the immediate area around the volcano. The blast’s effects literally affected the entire planet. Learn more about the 1883 eruption of Krakatoa and its devastating ...
Located in the Pearl River Delta, off the coast of the mainland of the People’s Republic of China, is Macau. Macau is often overlooked due to its larger neighbor, Hong Kong, but Macau, despite being similar, has had its own unique history. What began as a fishing village evolved into a major trading port, and in the 21st century, it has become one of the most popular entertainment centers in Asia. It remains unlike any other place in Asia, and indeed, the entire world. Learn more about Macau and...
Learn about Catherine the Great, a German-born empress who transformed the Russian Empire into a major power. The episode covers her political rise through a coup, her implementation of enlightened reforms in administration and culture, and her significant territorial expansion through wars and the partitions of Poland, while also examining the contradictions of her rule, particularly regarding serfdom.
Discover the history and function of SONAR, the underwater navigation technology born from the needs of submarine warfare. Learn about its development from early sound experiments and WWI innovations through WWII and the Cold War, including its natural parallel in animal echolocation. The episode also covers anti-sonar countermeasures and the wide range of civilian applications that emerged after the war.
Traditional chemical rockets are limited for long-distance space travel beyond Earth's orbit. This episode explores alternative propulsion methods like efficient ion thrusters for steady acceleration, powerful nuclear thermal rockets for faster transit within the solar system, and solar sails utilizing light pressure for interstellar journeys. These technologies are crucial for future space exploration.
In this Q&A episode, Gary answers listener questions covering diverse topics including the qualities of good Roman emperors, safety while traveling internationally regarding food and water, why he chose to return to his hometown in Wisconsin, the future of movie theaters, and how he defines membership in the Completionist Club.
Discover the fascinating history of the hamburger, tracing its roots from ancient practices of mincing meat and the German Hamburg steak. Learn about the various competing claims for its invention in the United States, the critical development of the hamburger bun, and the role of early chains like White Castle in standardizing it. The episode also explores how post-war advancements and the franchise model, led by McDonald's, propelled the hamburger to global popularity.
Explore the final desperate days of Adolf Hitler and his inner circle in the Berlin bunker as Nazi Germany collapsed. This episode details Hitler's psychological breakdown, his last decisions including marrying Eva Braun, and his suicide on April 30, 1945. It then delves into the decades-long mystery surrounding the fate of his remains, the secrecy maintained by the Soviet Union, and the forensic evidence that ultimately confirmed his death.
Explore the incredible journeys of Marco Polo, a Venetian merchant who traveled to China in the 13th century. Learn about his family's trading background, the difficult overland route to Kublai Khan's court, and Marco's unique role serving the Mongol emperor. Discover his observations of advanced Chinese civilization, the circumstances of his return and imprisonment, and how his famous book, "The Travels of Marco Polo," introduced the wonders of the East to Europe, inspiring future explorers like Columbus despite initial skepticism and historical debate.
This episode recounts the brutal Bataan Death March during World War II in the Philippines. Learn about the strategic importance of Bataan and Corregidor, the surrender of American and Filipino forces, the horrific conditions and atrocities during the forced march, the devastating death toll, and the subsequent war crimes trials.
This episode dives into the bond market, a massive global financial system often overlooked compared to stocks. It explains what bonds are, how they are issued and traded, and the crucial relationship between bond prices and yields. The discussion also covers different types of bonds, rating agencies, and the significant role of US Treasury bonds, highlighting how bond markets wield surprising power over public policy and government finances.
Discover the origins and evolution of Memorial Day, starting with post-Civil War observances like the 1865 Charleston ceremony and the GAR's 1868 call for Decoration Day. Learn how it transitioned from honoring only Civil War dead to all fallen soldiers after World War I and II, its official recognition, the controversial move to a Monday holiday, and the modern tension between solemn remembrance and popular summer traditions.
Ever wondered how Birkenstocks went from a German cobbler’s passion project 250 years ago to a starring role in the Barbie movie? Or who created that bottle of Sriracha that is permanently living in your fridge? Did you know that Air Jordans were initially banned by the NBA, or that Super Mario became the best-selling video game character ever thanks to a strategy called “The Infinite Game?” On Wondery’s new weekly podcast, The Best Idea Yet, Nick Martell and Jack Crivici-Kramer have identified ...
This episode explores the fascinating story of Jupiter's four largest moons, the Galilean moons. Discover how Galileo's 1610 observation of these moons revolutionized astronomy and challenged the geocentric view of the universe. Learn about their controversial naming history and the modern space missions that have revealed their unique characteristics, from Io's extreme volcanism to Europa's potential subsurface ocean and Ganymede's magnetic field.
Discover the financial chaos following the American Revolution that led to the proposal for a national bank. Learn about the fierce constitutional debates and the creation, operation, and eventual failure of the First Bank of the United States. Understand how subsequent financial crises, especially during the War of 1812, necessitated the Second Bank, its tumultuous history under Nicholas Biddle, and its dramatic demise during Andrew Jackson's presidency, shaping early American economic policy.
The Sahara Desert presented a significant barrier between Roman North Africa and sub-Saharan regions. While direct contact was limited, particularly in the west, interactions occurred through intermediaries and routes along the Nile and Red Sea. Trade involving exotic animals and the discovery of Roman coins indicate some level of exchange, supplemented by documented Roman expeditions south of the desert.
For centuries, the English Channel served as a moat that kept the conflicts of Continental Europe away from the island of Great Britain. While it served as a barrier for armies, it also served as a hindrance to commerce. The movement of goods and people across the English Channel was much more difficult than he small distance that had to be crossed. Some dreamed of one day taming that barrier, and in the 1990s, that dream came true. Learn more about the Channel Tunnel, aka the Chunnel, on this e...
This episode delves into the history of salt, from its chemical composition and vital necessity for all life to how ancient humans procured it. Discover its role as a crucial preservative before refrigeration, its value as an early trade good, how it shaped economies, spurred wars, founded cities, and even influenced political movements, concluding with its modern uses and common misunderstandings.
