Learn something new every day!
Everything Everywhere Daily is a daily podcast for Intellectually Curious People. Host Gary Arndt tells the stories of interesting people, places, and things from around the world and throughout history. Gary is an accomplished world traveler, travel photographer, and polymath.
Topics covered include history, science, mathematics, anthropology, archeology, geography, and culture.
Past history episodes have dealt with ancient Rome, Phoenicia, Persia, Greece, China, Egypt, and India. as well as historical leaders such as Julius Caesar, Emperor Augustus, Sparticus, and the Carthaginian general Hannibal.
Geography episodes have covered Malta, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Monaco, Luxembourg, Vatican City, the Marshall Islands, Kiribati, the Isle of Man, san marino, Namibia, the Golden Gate Bridge, Montenegro, and Greenland.
Technology episodes have covered nanotechnology, aluminum, fingerprints, longitude, qwerty keyboards, morse code, the telegraph, radio, television, computer gaming,
Episodes explaining the origin of holidays include Memorial Day, April Fool’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day, May Day, Christmas, Ramadan, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Canada Day, the Fourth of July,
Famous people in history covered in the podcast include Salvador Dali, Jim Thorpe, Ada Lovelace, Jessie Owens, Robert Oppenheimer, Picasso, Isaac Newton, Attila the Hun, Lady Jane Grey, Cleopatra, Sun Yat Sen, Houdini, Tokyo Rose, William Shakespeare, Queen Boudica, Empress Livia, Marie Antoinette, the Queen of Sheba, Ramanujan, and Zheng He.
The 19th century was one of rapid technological advancement. Of all of the innovations to come out of this century, and there were many, perhaps none was more important than that of the telephone. The telephone radically changed communications, allowing personal communications over long distances. Despite what many people are often told, this invention wasn’t simply the genius of one man, but was rather something developed over decades. Learn more about the invention of the telephone and the con...
This episode explores the 'videotape wars' between Betamax and VHS, examining the technical differences, market strategies, and ultimate reasons for VHS's victory. It debunks the myth of Betamax being superior, highlighting the importance of recording time and open standards in consumer adoption. The discussion also touches on the evolution of videotape technology and its eventual decline with the rise of DVDs.
In 1869, the world was shocked by a discovery that was made outside of the town of Cardiff, New York. Two workers discovered what was claimed to be the remains of a 10 foot tall, petrified human being. The claim set off a fiery debate between those who thought it was proof of the Bible and those who just thought it was a long lost statue. It turned out, neither group was correct. Learn more about the Cardiff Giant and one of the biggest hoaxes of the 19th century on this episode of Everything Ev...
This episode explores lunar eclipses, explaining the science behind them, including why they occur, how they differ from solar eclipses, and what causes the reddish hue. It also delves into the historical and cultural significance of lunar eclipses across various civilizations, from ancient Mesopotamia to medieval Europe, highlighting how these events were interpreted and integrated into religious practices and scientific understanding.
This episode explores the history of the crossbow, from its origins in ancient China to its impact on medieval warfare and eventual replacement by firearms. It details the crossbow's technical evolution, its role in democratizing warfare by enabling less-trained soldiers to challenge heavily armored knights, and its lasting influence on military technology. The episode also touches on modern uses of the crossbow in hunting and special operations.
This episode explores the life of Emperor Claudius, Rome's fourth emperor and a surprising ruler due to his lifelong ostracization because of physical disabilities. Despite being underestimated and ridiculed by his family, Claudius proved to be a capable administrator and expanded the empire. The podcast dives into his unlikely rise to power, his personal challenges, and his ultimate legacy as a paradox among Roman emperors.
This episode explores the history and significance of Messier objects, a catalog of deep-sky objects compiled by French astronomer Charles Messier in the 18th century. It details Messier's original purpose for the list, the types of objects included, and highlights some of the most famous Messier objects like the Crab Nebula and Andromeda Galaxy. The episode also encourages amateur astronomers to observe these objects themselves.
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This episode explores the history and evolution of artificial turf, starting with its invention for the Houston Astrodome due to the failure of natural grass indoors. It covers the rise of AstroTurf, its pros and cons compared to natural grass, and the advancements in second and third-generation turf designed to improve safety and performance. Finally, the episode examines modern hybrid systems that combine natural grass with synthetic fibers, offering enhanced durability and playability.
For thousands of years, humans have used the power of water to do work for them. At first, it was very simple, then it gradually evolved to more complex and more efficient devices to harness the power of water. Eventually, we were able to harness some of the world’s largest rivers to produce incredible amounts of power for millions of people. Despite the advanced hydropower systems that exist today, there are still small-scale uses available as well. Learn more about how humanity has harnessed t...
This episode explores the Maginot Line, a series of defensive fortifications built by France after World War I to prevent future German invasions. The podcast details the motivations behind its construction, its impressive engineering, and ultimately, its strategic failure due to Germany bypassing it in World War II. The episode also discusses the misallocation of resources and the line's lasting impact on military strategy and the French psyche.
Before the US Civil War, a group of abolitionists didn’t just sit around passively to wait for the end of slavery to arrive. They took matters into their own hands. They set up a clandestine network that operated over multiple states to bring escaped slaves to freedom. Their network wasn’t a top-down organization, which centrally organized everything. Rather, it was one of the earliest examples of a decentralized network where the members didn’t even know who else was involved. Learn more about ...
Located in the Indonesian Archipelago, it is one of the newest countries in the world, Timor-Leste, or, as it's sometimes known in English, East Timor. While geographically very close, and pretty much surrounded by Indonesia, Timor-Leste has had a history very different from Indonesia. Their histories diverged when they became colonized by different countries and came to a head in the late 20th century. Learn more about Timor-Leste and its long painful path to independence on this episode of Eve...
This episode explores the history and workings of the Academy Awards, from its origins as a Hollywood labor dispute mediator to its current status as a global televised event. It covers the creation of the Oscar statuette, the evolution of the awards ceremony, the voting process, and the accuracy of the Academy's selections. The episode also touches on controversies and changes in categories over the years.
This episode explores the state of the world in 1700, examining major empires and their trajectories, including China, Japan, India, and the Ottomans. It also covers the state of colonization in the Americas and Africa, the political landscape of Europe, and the significant scientific and philosophical advancements that laid the groundwork for the modern era.
You have questions. I have answers. Sponsors Mint Mobile Cut your wireless bill to 15 bucks a month at mintmobile.com/eed Quince Go to quince.com/daily for 365-day returns, plus free shipping on your order! Stitch Fix Go to stitchfix.com/everywhere to have a stylist help you look your best Tourist Office of Spain Plan your next adventure at Spain.info Stash Go to get.stash.com/EVERYTHING to see how you can receive $25 towards your first stock purchase and to view important disclosures. Subscribe...
In 1864, Elizabeth Jane Cochran was born in Cochran Mills, Pennsylvania. At the age of 18, she began a career as a journalist writing under a pen name. During her career, she became a pioneer in both investigative journalism and travel writing. She later became a novelist, ran an industrial factory, and was one of the leading voices for women’s suffrage in the early 20th century. Learn more about Nellie Bly and her incredible life on this episode of Everything Everywhere Daily. Sponsors Mint Mob...
This episode explores the meaning, calculation, and potential flaws of key economic statistics. It covers GDP, unemployment rates, inflation (CPI), and the stock market, highlighting how these metrics are used and sometimes manipulated. The podcast emphasizes the importance of understanding these statistics for informed decision-making.
This episode explores Andalusia, a region in southern Spain, highlighting its distinct culture, history, and geography. It covers the region's Moorish heritage, key cities like Seville and Cadiz, and its influence on Spanish traditions like tapas, flamenco, and bullfighting. The episode also touches on Andalusia's economic significance through olive oil and sherry production.
This episode explores the causes, events, and consequences of the Mexican-American War, a conflict often overlooked in history. It details the rising tensions between the U.S. and Mexico, the annexation of Texas, key battles, and the significant territorial changes resulting from the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. The episode highlights the war's lasting impact on the map of North America and its role in shaping the relationship between the two countries.
The Netherlands is unlike any other country on Earth. What sets the Netherlands apart from every other country isn’t its size; it's the fact that 17% of the area of the country was once in the sea. Turning the sea into land is no easy feat, but it is something that the Dutch have been doing for centuries. Not only have they expanded the territory of the Netherlands, but they have also created a system that protects the country from flooding and storms. Learn about how the Dutch managed to reclai...
In 1582, a Japanese nobleman by the name of Lord Otomo Sorin sent a group of envoys to Europe. The entire round trip of their journey took eight years, and along the way, they visited several European countries and met multiple European heads of state, including two popes. It was hoped that their mission would revolutionize relations between Europe and Japan. Learn more about the Tensho Embassy and the first Japanese mission to Europe on this episode of Everything Everywhere Daily. Sponsors Mint...
This episode delves into the intricate world of Greek gods, starting with the primordial deities and tracing the lineage through the Titans to the Olympian gods. It covers the myths surrounding their births, power struggles, and the eventual rise of Zeus. The episode highlights key figures like Gaia, Uranus, Cronus, and Zeus, explaining their roles and relationships within the dysfunctional divine family.
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is presented to members of the U.S. Armed Forces who have displayed extraordinary bravery and valor in combat, often at great personal risk and beyond the call of duty. The Medal of Honor has a rich history dating back to the American Civil War and has undergone various changes in its design, criteria, and awarding process. Learn more about the Medal of Honor, how it was created and how it is awarde...
In the early 20th century, David Freeman-Mitford, 2nd Baron Redesdale, and his wife Sydney Bowles had seven children, six girls and one boy. The sisters all achieved notoriety for entirely different reasons. They were, how can I say, different from each other. Very different. Several of them found themselves associated with some of the most important individuals of the mid-20th century. Learn more about the Mitford Sisters and their very different lives on this episode of Everything Everywhere D...
In 1970, one of the world’s largest infrastructure projects opened in Aswan, Egypt. It was a dam that harnessed the power of the Nile River, the longest river in the world. The dam provided electricity for half of the country and tamed the annual floods, a regular feature on the Nile. But the project wasn’t without its drawbacks. It became a point of contention during the Cold War, displaced thousands, and destroyed an unknown number of ancient artifacts. Learn more about the Aswan High Dam on t...
In the year 331 BC, one of the most important battles in world history took place. The vastly outnumbered forces of Alexander the Great lined up against those of Darius III, leader of the Persian Empire. The outcome of the battle didn’t just change the map of the world in the 4th century BC; it changed the world in a way that can still be seen today. Learn more about the Battle of Gaugamela and how it changed the world on this episode of Everything Everywhere Daily. Sponsors Mint Mobile Cut your...
It is the most expensive substance in the world by a wide margin. When it was first proposed, it was actually proposed in jest. However, decades later, the joke turned out to have been true. It is a fundamental part of the universe, and by all accounts, it should be everywhere, yet it can’t be found anywhere, and physicists aren’t really sure why. Learn more about antimatter, how it was discovered, and what it is on this episode of Everything Everywhere Daily. Sponsors Mint Mobile Cut your wirel...
One of the most popular card games in the world is poker. The game was played in the old west among cowboys, by dogs on velvet paintings, and by the crew of the Star Ship Enterprise. Poker is played informally among friends and family, yet it is also a high-stakes competitive game where millions of dollars can be won or lost. It is a game that has origins that go back centuries, but in its modern manifestation, it is also very modern. Learn more about the game of Poker and how it became one of t...
Perhaps the most respected and feared soldiers in the world are those who belong to Special Forces. Special Forces are considered to be the elite of the elite. Most nations have some sort of Special Forces units in their military. Some of the best-known Special Forces units are household names and others are, how shall we say, more secret. While Special Forces seem rather modern, the tradition of creating units of elite soldiers actually goes back to antiquity. Learn more about Special Operation...
