Marcus Licinius Crassus, the richest man in the Roman Republic, built his fortune through shrewd, often ruthless, business practices. Despite immense wealth and political influence gained through a vast client network and alliances like the First Triumvirate, Crassus craved military glory. His pursuit of this led him to a disastrous campaign against Parthia, resulting in his death and contributing to the end of the Republic.
Discover the history behind Central Park, from New York City's rapid 19th-century growth and the need for public space to the selection of the site, the challenges of land acquisition and construction, and the winning design. Learn about its development, later additions, political influences, and its significant economic impact on surrounding real estate today.
This episode uncovers the story of the MV Wilhelm Gustloff, a German ship sunk in 1945 with a loss of life far exceeding the Titanic, making it the deadliest maritime disaster ever. Learn about its original purpose, its conversion for a desperate wartime evacuation during Operation Hannibal, the details of the fatal voyage and Soviet submarine attack, and the complex reasons - involving propaganda, timing, and historical context - why this immense tragedy has been largely forgotten by history.
Explore the invisible web of undersea fiber optic cables that powers global communication. Discover the history from early telegraph cables to modern fiber, how these complex cables are manufactured and laid across the ocean floor, the economics behind this massive infrastructure, and how breaks are detected and repaired.
Explore the history of Ghana, from its early societies and the powerful Ghana Empire to the tragic era of the slave trade and British colonization. Learn about the independence movement led by Kwame Nkrumah, the subsequent periods of instability, and Ghana's successful transition to a stable democratic republic, serving as a notable example in West Africa. The episode also touches on geography and unique cultural aspects like naming conventions.
Explore Napoleon's disastrous 1812 invasion of Russia. Learn how the breakdown over the Continental System led to the campaign, the Russians' effective scorched earth and retreat tactics, the brutal summer conditions, and key battles like Borodino and the taking of Moscow. Discover how the devastating winter retreat crippled Napoleon's army, setting the stage for his eventual defeat.
Explore revolutionary sports strategies that challenged traditional norms within established rules. This episode delves into soccer's fluid Total Football, baseball's data-driven defensive shift, American football's precision-focused West Coast offense, and the game-changing impact of the three-point shot in basketball, showcasing how different approaches can lead to significant results and influence the evolution of the game.
In 1917, the French Army faced widespread mutinies fueled by devastating casualties, futile offensive strategies, and deteriorating living conditions during World War I. Thousands of soldiers refused orders to attack but remained committed to defending their positions, staging organized, non-violent protests. General Philippe Petain's response combined selective punishment with crucial reforms to improve conditions and strategy, ultimately resolving the crisis. This episode explores the causes, nature, and significant, albeit long-suppressed, impact of these pivotal events on the French war effort.
This episode delves into the life of Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto, the Japanese commander famously known for planning the attack on Pearl Harbor. It reveals his surprising opposition to war with the United States, stemming from his time studying and traveling there where he learned to respect American industrial might. The episode covers his rise through the naval ranks, his political struggles opposing Japanese nationalism and the Tripartite Pact, his reluctant command, and his eventual death during Operation Vengeance, highlighting how his warnings were tragically ignored.
Dive into the Great Locomotive Chase of 1862, a bold Union raid to steal a train and sabotage vital Confederate railroads in Georgia. This episode details James J. Andrews' daring plan, the infiltration of Union soldiers, the dramatic theft of the locomotive "General," and the relentless pursuit by Confederates. Learn how this event highlighted the strategic importance of railroads in the Civil War, its operational challenges, and the controversial fate of the raiders, including the first Medal of Honor recipients.
Beyond fields and lawns, grass is vital to civilization, providing over half of human calories and supporting vast ecosystems as a foundational food source for herbivores. This episode explores the late but rapid evolution of grasses, their ecological roles including carbon sequestration, and traces the historical development of cultivated lawns from ancient gardens to modern suburban landscapes and their environmental challenges.
Explore the causes and major events of the transformative Russian Revolution, including the decline of the Tsarist regime, the 1905 uprising, the impact of World War I, the February and October Revolutions, and the brutal Civil War. Learn how the Bolsheviks seized power and established the world's first communist state, fundamentally altering global politics.
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.
