BrainStuff

Latest Episodes:

Why do they include jokers in a deck of playing cards? Oct 03, 2011

Show notes

The joker is an obscure and (according to some) useless addition to a deck of modern playing cards -- but it was originally a powerful card. Discover the history of the joker card and the modern card deck in this podcast from HowStuffWorks.com.

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What is dynamite? How does it work? Sep 28, 2011

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Dynamite is a type of chemical explosive. Discover how explosives from gasoline to dynamite work in this episode of BrainStuff.

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Why is dry ice dangerous? Sep 26, 2011

Show notes

Dry ice is different from regular ice in several ways. Find out what makes dry ice so unique -- and why it's so good for transporting perishables over long distances -- in this podcast from HowStuffWorks.com.

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How can a car get 100 MPG? Sep 05, 2011

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Created in the 1980s, the Avion is a car that can get more than 100 miles per gallon. In this episode, Marshall Brain talks about the factors that make the Avion so efficient -- and how the same techniques could be applied to production vehicles.

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How Jelly, Jam and Preserves Work Sep 02, 2011

Show notes

Jam, jelly, and preserves are all made from fruit mixed with sugar and pectin. Jell-O, on the other hand, is completely different. Take a look at our HowStuffWorks article to learn more.

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What happens when you press Alt and F4? Aug 26, 2011

Show notes

The alt-f4 key combination is a faster way to close a window on your computer. Learn more about this and several other keyboard shortcuts in this podcast from HowStuffWorks.com.

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Where's the best place to sit in a movie theater? Aug 22, 2011

Show notes

When it comes to where you should sit in a movie theater to get the best experience, it's mostly a matter of preference. Except when it comes to sound. Find out why -- and where you should sit -- in this episode.

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Why is bamboo suddenly appearing in so many products? Aug 15, 2011

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Nowadays bamboo is used to make all sorts of products, from flooring and furniture to bicycle frames. In this episode, Marshall explains why bamboo is becoming so popular -- and the advantages of using it to create consumer goods.

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How Internet Cookies Work Aug 03, 2011

Show notes

Internet cookies are information stored as text strings on a machine by a web server. Most commonly, cookies are used to store user IDs.

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How does making bread work? Aug 01, 2011

Show notes

Bread is a technology for turning hard kernels into a soft foodstuff. Learn more about bread and yeast in this HowStuffWorks podcast.

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