BrainStuff

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Latest Episodes:

What Was the Great Moon Hoax of 1835? Apr 01, 2021

Show notes

In the early 1800s, a set of newspaper articles had people across America believing a civilization had been found on the moon. Learn how it happened in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://history.howstuffworks.com/historical-events/ridiculous-history-the-great-moon-hoax-1835.htm

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How Do Capybaras Work? Mar 31, 2021

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This characteristically chill, friendly animal is the largest rodent in the world. Learn more about the capybara in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/mammals/capybara.htm

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How Does Tabasco Sauce Work? Mar 30, 2021

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Tabasco brand hot sauce is the most popular in the U.S., and it's been made pretty much the same way for 150 years. Learn more in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://recipes.howstuffworks.com/tabasco-sauce-red-stick.htm

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How Did Jean Macnamara Help Vanquish Polio? Mar 29, 2021

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In the early 1900s, Australian doctor Jean Macnamara helped the world learn how polio works -- and helped patients rehabilitate. Learn more in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://history.howstuffworks.com/historical-figures/-jean-macnamara.htm

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BrainStuff Classics: Is There a Better Alternative to Cash Bail? Mar 28, 2021

Show notes

Cash bail punishes the poor by setting a high price on freedom -- literally. But are there any better alternatives? We explore in this classic episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://money.howstuffworks.com/cash-bail-punishes-poor-but-whats-alternative.htm

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BrainStuff Classics: Where Did Middle Names Come From? Mar 27, 2021

Show notes

Having a first, middle, and last name is common in the West, but this wasn't always the case. Learn the history of middle names in this classic episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://people.howstuffworks.com/why-do-have-middle-names.htm

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When Was a Battle Fought Over Eggs? Mar 26, 2021

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During the Gold Rush, San Francisco's food supply chains couldn't keep up -- and enterprising hunters turned to the eggs of a seabird called the common murre. Learn about the resulting Egg War in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://history.howstuffworks.com/historical-events/history-1850s-farallones-san-francisco-egg-war.htm

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How Did Anna May Wong Fight Racism On- and Off-Screen? Mar 25, 2021

Show notes

Anna May Wong was one of the film industry's first Chinese-American actresses, but her success was hard-won. Learn about Wong's life and work in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://history.howstuffworks.com/historical-figures/anna-may-wong.htm

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Why Do 17-Year Cicadas Appear Almost Every Year? Mar 24, 2021

Show notes

Some groups of cicadas spend 13 or even 17 years underground in between massive, noisy emergences. Learn about their life cycle and how cicada broods work in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/insects/why-17-year-cicadas-come-more-than-17-years.htm/printable

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Why Was 1816 the Year With No Summer? Mar 23, 2021

Show notes

In 1815, a massive volcanic eruption kicked off three years of climate chaos across the Northern hemisphere. Learn about some of the surprising effects in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/nature/climate-weather/atmospheric/200-years-ago-we-had-a-year-a-summer.htm

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