500 Open Tabs

Latest Episodes:

36: Cordwainer Smith pt2 and The Lost Stuart Little Masterpiece Sep 25, 2024

Show notes

This week we explore the short stories of Sci-Fi writer Cordwainer Smith and how a prop in the Stuart Little movie led to the rediscovery of a lost Hungarian masterpiece. A listener email explains how 9/11 ruined Disney World train tours forever.

Episode Tabs:

The Sci-Fi Writer who Invented Conspiracy Theory

https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2024/04/science-fiction-conspiracy-theory-psyops/678195/

Stuart Little leads art historian to long-lost Hungarian masterpiece

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/nov/27/stuart-little-art-historian-long-lost-hungarian-masterpiece

Listener Tabs:

https://www.medievalists.net/2023/06/bal-des-ardents/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_heritage_railroads_in_the_United_States

Email your closed tab submissions to: 500opentabs@gmail.com

Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/500OpenTabs

500 Open Roads (Google Maps episode guide): https://maps.app.goo.gl/Tg9g2HcUaFAzXGbw7

Continue the conversation by joining us on Discord! https://discord.gg/8px5RJHk7a

SUPPORT THE SHOW and get 40% off an annual subscription to Nebula by going to https://nebula.tv/500opentabs

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

35: God's Rambo and Cordwainer Smith pt1 Sep 18, 2024

Show notes

This week we learn about the insane lengths Helge Meyer went to help starving kids in the Yugoslav Wars and the CIA/ Chinese Nationalist Party ties of acclaimed SciFi writer Cordwainer Smith. A listener email explains why King Tut was particularly stiff when mummified.

Episode Tabs:

The Real Transporter – Helge Meyer And His Ghost Camaro

https://www.motorpunk.co.uk/carclub-18-30/the-cars/real-transporter-helge-meyer-ghost-camaro/

Throngs of Himself

https://hub.jhu.edu/magazine/2018/fall/cordwainer-smith-paul-linebarger/

Listener Tabs:

https://www.esquiremag.ph/culture/music/how-frank-sinatra-s-song-my-way-triggered-filipino-karaoke-killings-a00304-20191017-lfrm?s=6mtp3t2nathbisrknnf5af8n6k

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/archaeology/king-tutankhamun-was-mummified-with-an-erect-penis-to-quash-religious-revolution-9037709.html

Email your closed tab submissions to: 500opentabs@gmail.com

Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/500OpenTabs

500 Open Roads (Google Maps episode guide): https://maps.app.goo.gl/Tg9g2HcUaFAzXGbw7

Continue the conversation by joining us on Discord! https://discord.gg/8px5RJHk7a

SUPPORT THE SHOW and get 40% off an annual subscription to Nebula by going to https://nebula.tv/500opentabs

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

34: Icelandic Dracula and The Guano Islands Act Sep 11, 2024

Show notes

This week we learn how Iceland got the wrong translation of Dracula and how America's thirst for guano led the government to enact an insane law in 1856. A listener email gives us the sweats.

Episode Tabs:

The Literary Mystery of the Icelandic Dracula by Valur Grettison

https://grapevine.is/mag/2022/05/09/the-literary-mystery-of-the-icelandic-dracula/

How Fertilizer Madness Sparked a Turd War and Turned Guano Into Gold

https://www.thedailyscoop.com/news/retail-business/how-fertilizer-madness-sparked-turd-war-and-turned-guano-gold

Listener Tabs:

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/lindsay-hoyle-clement-attlee-house-of-commons-bengal-commons-b2580463.html

https://www.vox.com/even-better/24156471/whole-body-deodorants-lume-axe-sweat

Email your closed tab submissions to: 500opentabs@gmail.com

Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/500OpenTabs

500 Open Roads (Google Maps episode guide): https://maps.app.goo.gl/Tg9g2HcUaFAzXGbw7

Continue the conversation by joining us on Discord! https://discord.gg/8px5RJHk7a

SUPPORT THE SHOW and get 40% off an annual subscription to Nebula by going to https://nebula.tv/500opentabs

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

33: LA's Underground Lizard Tunnels and Hodges Meteorite Sep 04, 2024

Show notes

This week we learn about the discovery of secret tunnels under Los Angeles built by ancient lizard people and how Ann Hodges was struck by a meteorite while napping. A listener email reveals the real life inspiration of Nacho Libre.

Episode Tabs:

The Underground Catacombs of L.A.'s Lizard People

https://lamag.com/news/citydig-the-underground-catacombs-of-las-lizard-people

For the Only Person Ever Hit by a Meteorite, the Real Trouble Began Later

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/only-person-ever-hit-meteorite-real-trouble-began-later-180961238/

Listener Tabs:

https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/al-ralph-capone-dairy-industry-milk-cheese

https://mymodernmet.com/fray-tormenta-nacho-libre/

Email your closed tab submissions to: 500opentabs@gmail.com

Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/500OpenTabs

500 Open Roads (Google Maps episode guide): https://maps.app.goo.gl/Tg9g2HcUaFAzXGbw7

Continue the conversation by joining us on Discord! https://discord.gg/8px5RJHk7a

SUPPORT THE SHOW and get 40% off an annual subscription to Nebula by going to https://nebula.tv/500opentabs

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

32: The year of 5 Roman Emperors and Colossal Squids Aug 28, 2024

Show notes

On this very special episode we KEEP IT JOSIE by learning how Rome had 5 different emperors in the year 193 and what makes a colossal squid versus a giant squid. A listener email explains why southern Californians always use "the" when naming freeways.

Episode Tabs:

Year of the Five Emperors

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Year_of_the_Five_Emperors

Is This the First Recorded Footage of a Colossal Squid Living Freely?

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/is-this-the-first-recorded-footage-of-a-colossal-squid-living-freely-180984482/

Listener Tabs:

https://www.pbssocal.org/shows/lost-la/the-5-the-101-the-405-why-southern-californians-love-saying-the-before-freeway-numbers

https://nymag.com/movies/profiles/57863/

Email your closed tab submissions to: 500opentabs@gmail.com

Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/500OpenTabs

500 Open Roads (Google Maps episode guide): https://maps.app.goo.gl/Tg9g2HcUaFAzXGbw7

Continue the conversation by joining us on Discord! https://discord.gg/8px5RJHk7a

SUPPORT THE SHOW and get 40% off an annual subscription to Nebula by going to https://nebula.tv/500opentabs

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

31: Groom of the Stool, World's Oldest Cat, & Art in the Olympics Aug 21, 2024

Show notes

This week we are joined by special guest Alex Brodt as we learn about the Groom of the Stool, how Rick Perry's cousin raised the world's oldest cat, and the brief period in time when Art was an Olympic sport. A listener email explains how luggage handlers are just like us.

Episode Tabs:

Groom of the Stool

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Groom_of_the_Stool

How to Raise a 165-Year-Old Cat

https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/how-to-raise-a-165-year-old-cat

Remember When the Olympics Used to Have an Art Competition? No?

https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2012/07/remember-when-the-olympics-used-to-have-an-art-competition-no/260355/

Email your closed tab submissions to: 500opentabs@gmail.com

Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/500OpenTabs

500 Open Roads (Google Maps episode guide): https://maps.app.goo.gl/Tg9g2HcUaFAzXGbw7

Continue the conversation by joining us on Discord! https://discord.gg/8px5RJHk7a

SUPPORT THE SHOW and get 40% off an annual subscription to Nebula by going to https://nebula.tv/500opentabs

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

30: Alligator Joe and Australian Camels Aug 14, 2024

Show notes

This week we learn about the insane story of Alligator Joe and how camels ended up in Australia. A listener email explored Mary Toft's strange birthing practices.

Episode Tabs:

When Kids Played With Alligators in Los Angeles

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/alligator-farm-los-angeles-180957172/

The strange story of Australia’s wild camel

https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20180410-the-strange-story-of-australias-wild-camel

Listener Tabs:

https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/library/files/special/exhibns/month/aug2009.html

https://www.pcmag.com/news/firefox-power-user-keeps-7400-plus-browser-tabs-open-for-2-years

Email your closed tab submissions to: 500opentabs@gmail.com

Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/500OpenTabs

500 Open Roads (Google Maps episode guide): https://maps.app.goo.gl/Tg9g2HcUaFAzXGbw7

Continue the conversation by joining us on Discord! https://discord.gg/8px5RJHk7a

SUPPORT THE SHOW and get 40% off an annual subscription to Nebula by going to https://nebula.tv/500opentabs

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

29: Target Husk and Pompeian Graffiti Aug 07, 2024

Show notes

This week we learn about the legendary Hollywood Target that took forever to get built and Pompeian graffiti. A listener email shows us the best dog who gets the most pats.

Episode Tabs:

The 'Target Husk' in Hollywood Opens at Last, 12 Years After Work Began

https://lamag.com/featured/hollywood-target-opens

What the Graffiti of Ancient Pompeii Teach Us About Our Modern Selves

https://blog.degruyter.com/graffiti-ancient-pompeii-teach-us-modern-selves/

Listener Tabs:

https://www.onemillionpats.com/

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steeplechase_(athletics)

Email your closed tab submissions to: 500opentabs@gmail.com

Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/500OpenTabs

500 Open Roads (Google Maps episode guide): https://maps.app.goo.gl/Tg9g2HcUaFAzXGbw7

Continue the conversation by joining us on Discord! https://discord.gg/8px5RJHk7a

SUPPORT THE SHOW and get 40% off an annual subscription to Nebula by going to https://nebula.tv/500opentabs

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

28: Skydiving Beavers and Cynthia the Gaba Girl Jul 31, 2024

Show notes

This week we learn about skydiving beavers, WW2 bat bombs, and Cynthia the Gaba Girl. A listener email informs us of the communion wafer monopoly.

Episode Tabs:

Why 76 Beavers Were Forced to Skydive into the Idaho Wilderness in 1948

https://www.scientificamerican.com/blog/running-ponies/why-76-beavers-were-forced-to-skydive-into-the-idaho-wilderness-in-1948/

Cynthia the Mannequin: A Curious Star Is Born

https://time.com/3877720/life-with-cynthia-the-world-famous-mannequin/

Listener Tabs:

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muki_(mythology)

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knocker_(folklore)

https://www.vice.com/en/article/vvaeyb/the-surprisingly-cutthroat-business-of-communion-crackers

Email your closed tab submissions to: 500opentabs@gmail.com

Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/500OpenTabs

500 Open Roads (Google Maps episode guide): https://maps.app.goo.gl/Tg9g2HcUaFAzXGbw7

Continue the conversation by joining us on Discord! https://discord.gg/8px5RJHk7a

SUPPORT THE SHOW and get 40% off an annual subscription to Nebula by going to https://nebula.tv/500opentabs

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

27: Comic-Con 2024 Special Jul 24, 2024

Show notes

This week we're in San Diego for Comic-Con where we learn about the history of Cosplay and the world's greatest autograph collector, Joseph Mikulec. A listener email shows us a livestream of a real-life stream.

Episode Tabs:

Myrtle R Douglas: Mother of Convention Costuming

https://youtu.be/DasGQQkj-xY?si=VfZUtkyjqRuSZL23

The Man Who Walked Around the World, Collecting the Autographs of the Rich and Famous

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/the-man-who-walked-around-the-world-collecting-the-autographs-of-the-rich-and-famous-180979841/

Listener Tabs:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WorldPride

https://visdeurbel.nl/

Email your closed tab submissions to: 500opentabs@gmail.com

Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/500OpenTabs

500 Open Roads (Google Maps episode guide): https://maps.app.goo.gl/Tg9g2HcUaFAzXGbw7

Continue the conversation by joining us on Discord! https://discord.gg/8px5RJHk7a

SUPPORT THE SHOW and get 40% off an annual subscription to Nebula by going to https://nebula.tv/500opentabs

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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