500 Open Tabs

Latest Episodes:

66: Pizza Delivery Boxes and The Death of Pythagoras Apr 23, 2025

Show notes

This week we learn about how the introduction of the corrugated box changed the entire pizza delivery industry and how Pythagoras' belief that fava beans contained the souls of the dead may have lead to his violent death. A listener email gets into the X-rated history of tree carvings in the American west.

Episode Tabs:

The Low-Tech Genius of the Cardboard Pizza Box

https://www.eater.com/2016/9/28/13065010/pizza-box-design

The Death of Pythagoras

https://philosophynow.org/issues/78/The_Death_of_Pythagoras

Listener Tabs:

Captain Volcano, or, The Man of the Red Revolvers: A Story of Life Against Life for a Big Stake

https://dimenovels.lib.niu.edu/islandora/object/dimenovels%3A181706#page/1/mode/1up

Aspen Diaries

https://www.steamboatmagazine.com/2005/07/01/1948/aspen-diaries

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

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

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65: Roland the Farter and Vietnamese Nail Industry Origins Apr 16, 2025

Show notes

This week we deep dive into how professional flatulists used to make the big bucks and how Tippi Hedren's humanitarian work with Vietnamese refugees inadvertently created a multi-billion dollar industry. A listener email explains how Legacy Park in Ashburn, VA is a valued MEMBER of the community.

Episode Tabs:

The True Story of Roland the Farter, and How the Internet Killed Professional Flatulence

https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/roland-the-farter-professional-flatulence

Nailed It

https://tubitv.com/movies/629631/nailed-it

Listener Tabs:

Delkab, Illinois Fun Facts

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/DeKalb,_Illinois

Today in Silver Line Discoveries: Brambleton’s “Legacy Park”

https://www.washingtonian.com/2022/11/17/today-in-silver-line-discoveries-brambletons-penis-park/

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

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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 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.

64: Chicago's Lager Beer Riot and The Yes Men Apr 09, 2025

Show notes

This week we're in Chicago for C2E2 as we deep dive into what led to the confrontation of German and Irish immigrants vs the Chicago Police Department in 1855 and how 2 renegade tricksters managed to tank Dow Chemical's stock by giving a fake interview to the BBC. A listener email shares their Filipino family's own personal story of crossing paths with the Aswang.

Episode Tabs:

The Lager Beer Riot: Chicago’s ‘First North Side War’

https://brewedculture.org/2017/05/04/the-lager-beer-riot-chicagos-first-north-side-war/

Meet the Yes Men Who Hoax the World

https://www.theguardian.com/media/2004/dec/13/mondaymediasection5

Listener Tabs:

Atomic Gardening

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

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 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.

63: First Amendment Auditors, Nixon's Favorite Restaurant, and Auditor the Miner Dog Apr 02, 2025

Show notes

This week we're joined by special guest Murahd Shawki as we deep dive into people who are questioned by police for exercising their First Amendment right to video record in public spaces like a Taco Bell parking lot, how El Adobe in San Juan Capistrano came to be Richard Nixon's favorite Mexican restaurant despite only serving continental cuisine, and how a shaggy sheepdog named Auditor won the hearts of miners in Butte, Montana. A listener email tells us how Vanuatu tribes are mourning the death of their god Prince Phillip.

Episode Tabs:

Driver ARRESTED Over Ridiculous Taco Bell Dispute

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qNm2TN0kums

14 US Presidents And Their Favorite Restaurants

https://www.tastingtable.com/1717213/us-presidents-favorite-restaurants/

Montana Tech Professor Memorializes Berkeley Pit dog

https://www.montanaliving.com/blogs/people/76403205-montana-tech-professor-memorializes-berkeley-pit-dog

Listener Tabs:

Prince Philip: The Vanuatu Tribes Mourning The Death Of Their 'God' https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-56713953

Swept Away the Musical

https://sweptawaymusical.com

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

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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 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.

62: Pretendians and Rube Waddell Mar 26, 2025

Show notes

This week we deep dive into the strange phenomenon of people who falsely claim to be descended from Native American or First Nation ancestors and the absolutely unhinged on and off field antics of Baseball Hall of Famer Rube Waddell. A listener email explains how the only copilot in NASCAR history was a rhesus monkey named Jocko Flocko.

Episode Tabs:

Who can Identify as a Native American?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZBQPks1zb3A

Rube Waddell

https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/rube-waddell/

Listener Tabs:

Racing for peanuts: The legend of Jocko Flocko

https://accesswdun.com/article/2020/5/900527/racing-for-peanuts-the-legend-of-jocko-flocko

How McCutchen summons 'The Power of Anthrocon'

https://www.mlb.com/news/pirates-andrew-mccutchen-summons-the-power-of-anthrocon

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 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.

61: Legend of Siavash and State of Jefferson Mar 19, 2025

Show notes

It's Nowruz again so this week we deep dive into how the legend of Siavash may have influenced Persians to jump over fire on Red Wednesday and how a proposed U.S. state would span the southern Oregon and Northern California region. A listener email explains how Disney perfected a hue of green for their trashcans as to become almost invisible to park goers.

Episode Tabs:

Chaharshanbe Suri: A Fire-jumping Festival

https://welcometoiran.com/chaharshanbe-suri-fire-jumping-festival/

State of Jefferson

https://www.ijpr.org/state-of-jefferson

500 Open Bingos

https://mfbc.us/m/vq2j24f

Listener Tabs:

I Just Learned A Cool Fact About Disneyland And Disney World That Adds A Whole 'Nother Layer To The Parks

https://www.cinemablend.com/theme-parks/cool-fact-disneyland-disney-world-go-away-green-trash-can-attractions

Bill's Bees

https://www.billsbees.com/

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 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.

60: Supermarket Sweep, Beetle Beer Bottle Sex, and Fake Filipino Vampires of the CIA Mar 12, 2025

Show notes

This week we're joined by special guest J. L. Westover as we deep dive into the mechanics of a capitalist gameshow of yesteryear, how Australian jewel beetles mistakenly bang discarded beer bottles, and that time the CIA tried to trick a Filipino communist guerrilla movement into thinking vampires were real. A listener email tells us how a Finnish pizza restaurant clapped back at Silvio Berlusconi by making an award winning spite pizza.

Episode Tabs:

How to Become a Fan of the Supermarket Sweep TV Game Show

https://www.wikihow-fun.com/Become-a-Fan-of-the-Supermarket-Sweep-TV-Game-Show

Nature Mimics: Why Bugs Mate With Beer Bottles

https://www.australiangeographic.com.au/topics/wildlife/2011/11/nature-mimics-why-bugs-mate-with-beer-bottles/

False Fang: When the CIA Staged a Vampire Attack

https://www.mentalfloss.com/posts/cia-philippines-vampire-attack

Listener Tabs:

Brother To Canberra's Notorious Penis Owl Erected In Northern Serbia

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-11-16/phallic-owl-statue-erected-in-serbia/10504392

The Pizza Berlusconi Battle: How Finland Beat Italy At Pizza

https://veryfinnishproblems.com/blogs/news/pizza-berlusconi

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 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.

59: Stone of Destiny Heist pt. 2 and Richard Parkers at Sea Mar 05, 2025

Show notes

This week we conclude the Stone of Destiny heist and deep dive into the various stories of ship boys named Richard Parker who were eaten at sea. A listener email tells us about the time the UK Royal Air Force airdropped cats into a remote part of Malaysia to help deal with the rat problem.

Episode Tabs:

The Students Who Stole The Stone Of Destiny

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-tayside-central-63130942

Cannibalism at Sea: The Starving Victorian Sailors Who Ate a Cabin Boy

https://www.historyextra.com/period/victorian/cannibalism-at-sea-sailors-ate-the-cabin-boy/

Listener Tabs:

Operation: Cat Drop

https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19600309-1.2.56

For 600 Years The Voynich Manuscript Has Remained A Mystery. Now We Think It’s Partly About Sex

https://theconversation.com/for-600-years-the-voynich-manuscript-has-remained-a-mystery-now-we-think-its-partly-about-sex-227157

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 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.

58: Konami Code Origins and Stone of Destiny Heist pt. 1 Feb 26, 2025

Show notes

This week we deep dive into how a shortcut meant to save time while programming spawned a love affair with cheat codes and how a group of college students decided to steal an ancient symbol of Scottish kings back from the English. A listener email reveals the multicultural history of Groundhog Day.

Episode Tabs:

Game Breaking: How Cheat Codes Changed Video Games Forever

The Students Who Stole The Stone Of Destiny

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-tayside-central-63130942

Listener Tabs:

The History Of Groundhog Day Is More Complex Than You May Think

https://thehill.com/changing-america/enrichment/arts-culture/3840820-the-history-of-groundhog-day-is-more-complex-than-you-may-think/

Donegal Farmer Uncovers 22kg Slab Of Ancient Bog Butter

https://www.irishnews.com/news/ireland/donegal-farmer-uncovers-22kg-slab-of-ancient-bog-butter-YUJKZVXG6NH43G3SBZ3DAUDCHI/

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 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.

57: Diary of The Shah and More Spite Houses Feb 19, 2025

Show notes

This week we deep dive into Naser al-Din Shah Qajar's published diary of his 1873 European tour and learn about bigger and better houses of spite. A listener email reveals how a sexy Abe Lincoln statue broke everyone's brains.

Episode Tabs:

Nasir Al-Din Shah And The Art Of Indifference https://new.bidoun.org/articles/redolent-delusions

Spite Buildings: When Human Grudges Get Architectural

https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2018/jun/21/spite-buildings-when-human-grudges-get-architectural-in-pictures

Listener Tabs:

‘Honest Abs’: The story behind that shirtless Lincoln statue flirting with the Internet

https://www.washingtonpost.com/history/2019/02/21/honest-abs-story-behind-that-shirtless-lincoln-statue-flirting-with-internet/

Clever Hans And His Effects: Karl Krall And The Origins Of Experimental Parapsychology In Germany

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1369848614000855

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 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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