A topsy-turvy science-y history podcast by Sam Kean. I examine overlooked stories from our past: the dental superiority of hunter-gatherers, the crooked... more
One Brazilian man’s brain damage transformed him into a selfless giver. So why did he infuriate so many people—and what... more
Jack Parsons was a devil-worshipping FBI rat who led a sex cult and was bosom buddies with L. Ron Hubbard.... more
Jack Parsons was a devil-worshiping FBI rat who led a sex cult and was bosom buddies with L. Ron Hubbard.... more
Who put the cheese in your stuffed-crust pizza? Or cows on a Caribbean island? And when more than half the... more
In 1878, two Paris dandies murdered an old woman—and blamed Charles Darwin for their crime. But the wild scandal that... more
Americans happily ate monosodium glutamate for decades. Then one (possibly fake) letter sparked mass hysteria over “Chinese Restaurant Syndrome”, and... more
Scientists have confirmed five basic human tastes—sweet, salty, bitter, sour, and umami. But is that all? Debate now rages about... more
James Mellaart discovered one of the most important archaeological sites ever, Çatalhöyük in Turkey. But his lust for treasure—and a... more
He helped launch the British Empire and spawned a public-health epidemic that killed hundreds of millions of people. Blame him... more
She helped discover arguably the most important drug in history. And she got zero credit. They called her Moldy Mary—but... more