Stay ConnectedBrains On Universe presents Forever Ago®, a history show for the whole family! Every episode looks into the surprising and fascinating history of things we think are ordinary, but they’re not — like ice cream flavors, video games, baths and more. We make learning about the past fun while teaching listeners to think critically about history.
Sales and Distribution by Lemonada Media https://lemonadamedia.com/
Copyright: © Copyright 2024 Minnesota Public Radio
Chocolate. You know it. You love it. You can’t get enough of it. Today, we think of chocolate as a sweet treat, but for most of human history, it was actually a bitter drink. This week Joy and co-host Camila go coo-coo for cocoa history and learn how indigenous people in Mesoamerica were the first to create the chocolate craze. All that and an extra chocolatey First Things First. Break me off a piece of that sweet sweet history!
Click here to read a transcript of this episode.
Want to support the show? Join Smarty Pass to listen to ad-free episodes or donate!
This is a sneak peak of a bonus episode available to Smarty Pass members. It’s a follow up to our Forever Ago episode on the history of pizza. In this one, we look at the man who made pineapple on pizza a thing. Plus, we tell the story of how pineapple pizza created drama between two nations. To hear the whole, ad-free episode, sign up for Smarty Pass at smartypass.org.
This week Joy and co-host Xenia are back with another slang episode that’s the pig’s elbow (trust us, it’s a good thing). Learn about how “aura” went from meaning a cool breeze, to getting cool points– and how one of our most common slang words started as a typo joke in a newspaper. And don’t forget, a swaggy new First Things First!
Click here to read a transcript of this episode.
Want to support the show? Join Smarty Pass to listen to ad-free episodes or donate!
We’re not done with Wizard of Oz history yet! Today it’s the tale of Dorothy’s famous ruby red slippers. A pair of these famous movie props went missing years back, and it took the FBI and local authorities working together to get them back. Join Joy and co-host Sky as they investigate this case, and play a game of First Things First.
Click here to read a transcript of this episode.
Want to support the show? Join Smarty Pass to listen to ad-free episodes or donate!
The Wizard of Oz is one of the most influential stories around. What started as a children’s book went on to inspire countless other books, movies and musicals. Join Joy and co-host Sky as they wiggle down the Jell-O brick road and meet a sassy witch who knows the 411 on all things Oz. Together, they’ll learn more about how this iconic story got its start over 100 years ago, plus hear more about Judy Garland and of course, how the Wicked movies came to be. All that and a dazzling new First Things First. There’s no place like Forever Ago!
Click here to read a transcript of this episode.
Want to support the show? Join Smarty Pass to listen to ad-free episodes or donate!
We can learn a lot about what a culture thinks is important through its fashion. These days, most men don't wear makeup to work, or lace collars, or powdered wigs, but that wasn't always the case! Joy and co-host Max go on a journey to the history spa, where they get a 1770s makeover from Frank, the macaroni maven. (What's a macaroni? Not just a noodle!) Listen as they learn about the ancient history of makeup (we're talking Egypt here) and why being a fancy man eventually fell out of style. Plus, there's a new First Things First! Do you think neon clothes, baseball caps, or bellbottom pants came first in history?
Click here to read a transcript of this episode.
Want to support the show? Join Smarty Pass to listen to ad-free episodes or donate!
Pizza is a food loved around the world. It started as a local dish served by street vendors in Naples, Italy. Not everyone loved it right away. But over time, pizza changed, and the world fell in love. Join Joy and co-host Zsa Zsa as they learn the fascinating history of this fantastic food. Plus we hear your slogans for pizza and play First Things First.
Click here to read a transcript of this episode.
Want to support the show? Join Smarty Pass to listen to ad-free episodes or donate!
Hundreds of thousands of flights take off each and every day. Airplanes make it possible for us to connect with people around the world and see all different parts of our beautiful planet. But how did we figure out how to get humans up in the air in the first place? This week Joy and Trip learn about the different flying machines that led to the first airplane and how two brothers worked together to take a historic first flight. Plus, how airlines throughout history went from having no windshields, to serving lobster dinner. Plus, a travel-friendly new First Things First!
Click here to read a transcript of this episode.
Want to support the show? Join Smarty Pass to listen to ad-free episodes or donate!
For as long as there have been humans, there have been toys! But do you know the history behind some of your favorites? Join Joy and Evette as they tackle the history of three top toys: the yo-yo, the hula-hoop and slime. They’ll answer questions like “where did the name yo-yo come from?” and “Is the hula hoop from Hawaii?” and “What is the green Nickelodeon slime made from?” All that plus a new First Things First featuring three other classic toys.
Click here to read a transcript of this episode.
Want to support the show? Join Smarty Pass to listen to ad-free episodes or donate!
This is a sneak peek of a bonus episode available to Smarty Pass subscribers. It’s a follow up to the Forever Ago episode about the history of Pokemon. This time, Marc and Sanden are back as the Hoax Hunters to investigate a phenomenon known as the Pokemon Shock. It was an event where a TV show apparently made thousands of people feel sick. To hear the full episode, sign up for Smarty Pass and support the Brains On Universe.
Our TOPPODCAST Picks 
