Everything Everywhere Daily: History, Science, Geography & More

Gary Arndt
undefined
Aug 31, 2020 • 13min

A Brief History of Timekeeping

Our ability to measure time is one of the fundamental things which makes us human. We’ve gone from very crude and inexact measures of time to time measurements which are so accurate that it would take billions of years to lose a single second. This increased accuracy has allowed us to navigate the seas, space, and even get directions to a nearby store. Learn about the history of how we keep time on this episode of Everything Everywhere Daily. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
undefined
Aug 30, 2020 • 9min

The Plague of Justinian: The First Pandemic

Pandemics can be world-changing events. The aftermath of a pandemic can shape societies and topple empires. Whether it's the flu, smallpox, cholera, or the bubonic plague, these pandemics have killed more people than all the wars in human history. However, pandemics weren’t always a part of humanity. There was a first pandemic that caught civilization by surprise, and the legacy of that pandemic can still be felt in our world today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
undefined
Aug 29, 2020 • 10min

Eponymous Laws: The Stories Behind Laws Named After People

Everyone is probably familiar with Murphy’s Law which says that “Anything which can go wrong will go wrong.” However, there are many such laws, known as eponymous laws, which are sayings, adages, or truisms, which have been attributed to people over the years. These are not hard and fast mathematical or physical laws, but rather are general truths which can help you see and understand the world better...and they are usually named after someone. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
undefined
Aug 28, 2020 • 10min

The Common Origins of American Football, Soccer, and Rugby

While different countries may debate as to what sport should really be called ‘football’, the reality is that the word football describes a broad family of sports all of whom have a very similar background and origin. Just like species with a common ancestor can evolve in ways where they look totally unlike each other, so too did the football sports evolve from a common ancestor into very different forms today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
undefined
8 snips
Aug 27, 2020 • 9min

How the Latin Alphabet Took Over the World

Unravel the fascinating origins of the Latin alphabet, tracing its roots back to Ancient Rome. Discover the remarkable transformations that shaped the modern English version we use today. Learn about the global impact of this writing system, including its widespread adoption linked to Christianity and modernization. Explore intriguing updates in countries like Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, and even China's move towards a Latin transliteration system. Prepare to be surprised by the quirks and historical significance of an alphabet that has connected civilizations for centuries.
undefined
Aug 26, 2020 • 9min

Why are French Fries called French Fries?

Everyone loves french fries. It is one of the few things which most people can agree on in the world today. The average American consumes over 16 pounds of them every year, and they have become a staple part of the cuisine in countries all over the world. Yet, why do American’s call them “french” fries? What do the French have to do with it? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
undefined
Aug 25, 2020 • 8min

The Last US Civil War Pension

On May 31, 2020, Irene Triplett passed away at the age of 90. Her life was rather unremarkable save for one important fact: she was the last person who received a pension from the United States government from the US Civil War. Find out how a woman who died two decades into the 21st Century was still receiving a pension from a war which ended 155 years ago on this episode of Everything Everywhere Daily. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
undefined
Aug 24, 2020 • 10min

Happy Birthday To You: The Most Famous Song in the World

If there is one song almost everyone knows it is Happy Birthday to You (yes, that is the actual title of the song, even though everyone just calls it Happy Birthday). Not only has the song been sung at countless children’s birthday parties, but it has also been mentioned in Supreme Court decisions and was the subject of one of the most important copyright cases in history. Learn more about the most famous song in the world on this episode of Everything Everywhere Daily. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
undefined
Aug 23, 2020 • 13min

The US/Canadian Border

The border between the United States and Canada is the longest border between any two countries in the world. The total length of the land border is 8,891 kilometers or 5,525 miles long. In addition to being the longest border in the world, it is also the longest non-militarized and non-fenced border in the world. With a border that long, you are bound to have some oddities, and the US/Canadian border has plenty. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
undefined
Aug 22, 2020 • 10min

The English Longbow: The Weapon That Changed Medieval Warfare

The longbow was one of the most devastating weapons in medieval Europe. It was a weapon that could launch projectiles hundreds of yards and pierce the heaviest of armor. It was the battlefield trump card to heavy armored cavalry. No country adopted and mastered the longbow quite like the English. One reason why they found the military success they did was due to a complete societal commitment to the longbow. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The AI-powered Podcast Player

Save insights by tapping your headphones, chat with episodes, discover the best highlights - and more!
App store bannerPlay store banner
Get the app