500 Open Tabs

Latest Episodes:

106: Magic Eye Feb 25, 2026

Show notes

This week we learn about the various uses of the history that led to the creation of the 90s' greatest 3D craze, Magic Eye. A listener email tells us how lead on the ocean floor can help modern science.

Episode Tabs:

When Magic Eye Pictures Ruled the World

https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/622658/when-magic-eye-pictures-ruled-world

Listener Tabs:

How a Roman shipwreck could help unlock the Universe’s biggest mysteries

https://medium.com/big-science-at-stfc/how-an-ancient-roman-shipwreck-could-be-the-key-to-one-of-the-universes-biggest-mysteries-815b15e6b753

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

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500 Open Tabs Wiki: https://500-open-tabs.fandom.com/wiki/500_Open_Tabs_Wiki

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

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Get 40% off an annual subscription to Nebula by going to 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.

105: John Swartzwelder Feb 18, 2026

Show notes

This week we're joined by special guest Kaveh Mohebbi of the Cinema Rex podcast as he tells us about the myth surrounding John Swartzwelder, the most prolific writer in the history of The Simpsons whose voice helped shape the show and who may or may not actually exist. A listener mail tells us the insane story of the first gas balloon flight.

Episode Tabs:

John Swartzwelder, Sage of “The Simpsons”

https://www.newyorker.com/culture/the-new-yorker-interview/john-swartzwelder-sage-of-the-simpsons

Listener Tabs:

The First Gas Balloon Flight

https://www.bbml.org.uk/the-first-gas-balloon-flight/

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

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

500 Open Tabs Wiki: https://500-open-tabs.fandom.com/wiki/500_Open_Tabs_Wiki

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

Get 40% off an annual subscription to Nebula by going to 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.

104: Batman (Disambiguation) Feb 11, 2026

Show notes

This week we learn about the various uses of the name Batman including a town in Iran, a personal valet to a commissioned officer in England and a unit of measurement. A listener email informs us the colossal dickhead John Batman, who terrorized the people of New South Whales and Tasmania.

Episode Tabs:

Batman (Disambiguation)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Batman_(disambiguation)

Listener Tabs:

John Batman (1801–1839)

https://web.archive.org/web/20140303233422/http://www.nma.gov.au/engage-learn/schools/classroom-resources/multimedia/interactives/batmania_html_version/whos_who

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

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

500 Open Tabs Wiki: https://500-open-tabs.fandom.com/wiki/500_Open_Tabs_Wiki

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

Get 40% off an annual subscription to Nebula by going to 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.

103: Renfrew Christie Feb 04, 2026

Show notes

We are back for season 3 with new tabs and a new format! This week we learn about the South African legend Renfrew Christie, who used his dissertation at Oxford as a front to spy on the Apartheid government's secret nuclear program. A listener email fills in the gaps of our Emperor Norton knowledge.

Episode Tabs:

Farewell to a South African hero, Professor Renfrew Christie

https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-12-22-farewell-to-a-south-african-hero-professor-renfrew-christie/

Listener Tabs:

Joshua Norton Posthumously Reinstated as a Mason After 166 Years

https://emperornortontrust.org/blog/2025/9/3/joshua-norton-posthumously-reinstated-as-a-mason-after-166-years

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

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

500 Open Tabs Wiki: https://500-open-tabs.fandom.com/wiki/500_Open_Tabs_Wiki

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

Get 40% off an annual subscription to Nebula by going to 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.

102: The Tab Conspiracy - p2 Dec 31, 2025

Show notes

Part 2! After meeting on the 500 Open Tabs Discord, a few fans of the show got together and recorded a tribute episode "The Tab Conspiracy," so we decided to share it with our tens of listeners!! This week they discuss first and second sleep (which may or may not have been invented by Hobbits) and the results of when a fruit company unloaded 12000 metric tons of orange peels onto a national park in Costa Rica to study the effects of composting. Happy New Year!

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

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

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

500 Open Tabs Wiki: https://500-open-tabs.fandom.com/wiki/500_Open_Tabs_Wiki

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

Get 40% off an annual subscription to Nebula by going to 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.

101: The Tab Conspiracy - p1 Dec 24, 2025

Show notes

After meeting on the 500 Open Tabs Discord, a few fans of the show got together and recorded a tribute episode "The Tab Conspiracy," so we decided to share it with our tens of listeners!! This week they discuss how Ivo Zdarsky flew to Vienna in a homemade airplane to claim political asylum from Czechoslovakia and the life of Bud Hurlbut, the engineer/creator most famously known for designing Knott's Berry Farm. Happy Holidays!

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

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

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

500 Open Tabs Wiki: https://500-open-tabs.fandom.com/wiki/500_Open_Tabs_Wiki

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

Get 40% off an annual subscription to Nebula by going to 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.

100: KUMIT4B!! (500 Open Stabs Round 4) Dec 17, 2025

Show notes

Our Season 2 finale brings back the ancient tournament of Kumitab, where we pit some of our most unhinged subjects against one another including Bat Boy, Khutulun, and the 1800s self-replicating robot Jesus in a battle to the death.

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

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

500 Open Tabs Wiki: https://500-open-tabs.fandom.com/wiki/500_Open_Tabs_Wiki

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

Get 40% off an annual subscription to Nebula by going to 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.

99: A Niewe Herball, Atomic Bomb Ring, and Reverse John Wick Dec 10, 2025

Show notes

This week we are joined by award winning author Amal El-Mohtar as we learn about herbiary plagiarism from the 16th century, how Kix cereal once offered toys with radioactive material, and the tale of a 14th century French dog pulling a reverse John Wick. A listener mail tells us about the most lopsided football game of all time.

Holiday Market at Tito Rick's Garage

Saturday December 13th, 11am-4pm

2918 Imperial Ave San Diego, CA 92102

Kaveh's Online Store:

https://www.blacksmithfilms.com/store

Cat People

https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/hannah-hillam/cat-people/9780762486083/?lens=running-press

Episode Tabs:

Asking questions through fiction: research into Henry Lyte’s ‘A Niewe Herball’ (1578)

https://www.herbalhistory.org/home/henry_lyte/

Kix cereal once offered 'Atomic Bomb Ring' with radioactive material as a promotion?

https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/kix-lone-ranger-atomic-bomb-ring/

A Murder and a Dog Seeking Justice

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/canine-corner/201008/a-murder-and-a-dog-seeking-justice

Listener Tabs:

1916 Cumberland vs. Georgia Tech football game

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1916_Cumberland_vs._Georgia_Tech_football_game

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

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

500 Open Tabs Wiki: https://500-open-tabs.fandom.com/wiki/500_Open_Tabs_Wiki

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

Get 40% off an annual subscription to Nebula by going to 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.

98: Leon Theremin and Emperor Norton Dec 03, 2025

Show notes

This week we learn about the fascinating life of Russian inventor Leon Theremin, whose eponymous instrument led to the birth of electronic music and how San Francisco happily obliged a formerly successful South African businessman after he delcared himself Emperor of the United States. A listener mail tells us about the real birthplace of Captain Kirk.

Kaveh's Shop:

https://www.blacksmithfilms.com/store

Cat People

https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/hannah-hillam/cat-people/9780762486083/?lens=running-press

Episode Tabs:

Theremin, an Electric Odyssey

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fqAhSEbBHJA

Emperor Norton

https://www.foundsf.org/Emperor_Norton

Listener Tabs:

Riverside, Iowa

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Riverside,_Iowa

Flight of the Blackbird

https://www.la-barraca.be/azyriab.pdf

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

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

500 Open Tabs Wiki: https://500-open-tabs.fandom.com/wiki/500_Open_Tabs_Wiki

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

Get 40% off an annual subscription to Nebula by going to 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.

97: Listener Email Extravaganza - Thanksgiving Edition! Nov 26, 2025

Show notes

It's Thanksgiving week so we're showing our thanks to our tens of listeners by dedicating an entire episode to their tabs! Join us as we learn about Existentialism, criminals who are bad at stealing ruby slippers, and a prophet's foreskin.

Listener Tabs:

Philosophize This

https://www.philosophizethis.org/

Austin Dam 1911

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=DmZCpgl1FDY

Catherine of Siena

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catherine_of_Siena

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

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

500 Open Tabs Wiki: https://500-open-tabs.fandom.com/wiki/500_Open_Tabs_Wiki

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