The US Rationed Shoes During World War II, So People Made Footwear Out Of Old Firehoses (Cool Weird Awesome 1182)

Today in 1943, the US announced it would start rationing shoes to save rubber and leather for the troops in World War II. People on the home front found ways to make shoes out of alternative materials.

By |2024-02-07T09:31:06-05:00February 7, 2024|Categories: Cool Weird Awesome, Podcasts|Tags: , , , , , , |

February Is The Shortest Month For Literally Odd Reasons (Cool Weird Awesome 1181)

We're in the shortest month of the year, but how did that happen? The answer starts with the Romans, who had reasons.

By |2024-02-06T08:52:22-05:00February 6, 2024|Categories: Cool Weird Awesome, Podcasts|Tags: , , , , , , |

Indiana Almost Set The Value Of Pi At 3.2, Even Though That Isn’t Pi’s Value (Cool Weird Awesome 1180)

This week in 1897, lawmakers in the state of Indiana almost added a mathematical shortcut to state law, with a bill that would have set the wrong value for the number pi. 

By |2024-02-05T08:48:10-05:00February 5, 2024|Categories: Cool Weird Awesome, Podcasts|Tags: , , , |

Jessica Cox, The First Person Born Without Arms To Become A Licensed Pilot (Cool Weird Awesome 1179)

Today in 1983, the birthday of Jessica Cox, the first person born without arms to become a licensed pilot. And that’s just one of her many accomplishments.

By |2024-02-02T09:22:27-05:00February 2, 2024|Categories: Cool Weird Awesome, Podcasts|Tags: , , , , |

When Indiana Tried To Get “Louie, Louie” Off The Radio (Cool Weird Awesome 1178)

Today in 1964, Billboard Magazine reported that the governor of Indiana had called on the state’s broadcasters to stop playing the song “Louie, Louie” by the Kingsmen because of its allegedly dirty lyrics.

By |2024-02-01T09:57:16-05:00February 1, 2024|Categories: Cool Weird Awesome, Podcasts|Tags: , , , , , |

This Smart Glove Can Help People Recover From A Stroke (Cool Weird Awesome 1177)

A new wearable device can track arm and hand movements from people recovering from strokes to help improve their rehab exercises.

By |2024-01-31T08:57:40-05:00January 31, 2024|Categories: Cool Weird Awesome, Podcasts|Tags: , , , , , |

Jean Carroll, TV’s First Female Standup Comedy Star (Cool Weird Awesome 1176)

Today in 1949, a first for American network TV: a female comedian did a standup routine on the air. Here's the story of comic Jean Carroll.

By |2024-01-30T09:02:47-05:00January 30, 2024|Categories: Cool Weird Awesome, Podcasts|Tags: , , , , , |

Holland, Michigan Has A Snow Melting System Built Into Its Downtown (Cool Weird Awesome 1175)

To clear snow and ice, some of us use shovels, others use snowblowers. Holland, Michigan uses a long series of tubes under the streets and sidewalks in its downtown district to melt any winter accumulation.

By |2024-01-29T09:39:54-05:00January 29, 2024|Categories: Cool Weird Awesome, Podcasts|Tags: , , , |

To Win A Dance Marathon, Couples Might Have To Keep Going For Five Months (Cool Weird Awesome 1174)

Today in 1907, the birthday of Callum deVillier, who once won a dance marathon with partner Vonnie Kuchinski after more than five months of steps.

By |2024-01-19T06:07:45-05:00January 19, 2024|Categories: Cool Weird Awesome, Podcasts|Tags: , , |
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