James O'Brien's Mystery Hour Why are letters shaped like that?
Mar 12, 2026
A lively roundup of curious origins and oddities. They trace the alphabet back to pictograms and an ox hieroglyph. Listeners debate supermarket absences, crane dismantling techniques, and why barnacles cling to whales. Conversations jump from shampoo chemistry and mirror illusions to the comic tone of the penny whistle and the pole versus post naming quarrel.
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Different Shampoos Change Hair's 'Squeaky' Feel
- Changing shampoo alters hair feel because of interactions with natural oils and different chemical formulations (astringents) that strip or leave residues differently.
- James and callers suggest new shampoo removes oils differently, producing that 'squeaky clean' tactile sensation.
How Tall Cranes Take Themselves Down
- Jim, a tower-crane operator, describes how tall tower cranes use a jacking/climbing system to lift the cab and remove sections so mobile cranes can finish the teardown.
- He explains the crane 'jacks the top up, takes the tower section out, then lowers it' to reachable height.
Barnacles Hitch Rides As Microscopic Larvae
- Barnacles start as microscopic free-swimming larvae (like plankton) and settle by attaching to any hard surface, including whales, rocks, or ship hulls.
- Stephen notes settled barnacles then feed with feathery appendages without needing to move, making whales convenient mobile platforms.