The U.S. Had An Aunt Sammy As Well As An Uncle Sam (Cool Weird Awesome 857)
Today in 1926, America’s aunt made her debut on the airwaves. That would be Aunt Sammy, who gave cooking tips to millions of listeners in the early days of radio.
Abel Gonzales Is The Fried Food King Of The Texas State Fair (Cool Weird Awesome 856)
The Texas State Fair is getting underway, and if it's fried food you're after, you have Abel Gonzales Jr., aka "Fried Jesus," to thank.
The Original Declaration Of Independence Had A Rough Century Or So (Cool Weird Awesome 855)
Today in 1921, President Warren Harding issued an executive order that would finally protect the United States’ most important documents after decades of wear and tear.
Mike Yurosek, The Founding Father Of Baby Carrots (Cool Weird Awesome 854)
One hundred years ago today was the birthday of Mike Yurosek, the father of the baby carrot. Here's the story of how he came up with the idea.
The Dunce Cap Was Once A Hat Worn By Great Scholars (Cool Weird Awesome 853)
School is back in session, and fortunately teachers aren't using dunce caps to shame their students. How did a hat that was once worn by prominent thinkers end up as the hat of choice for teachers trying to brand students as dopes?
Cop Rock, The Show Where Police Sang As They Solved Crimes (Cool Weird Awesome 852)
Today in 1990, the premiere of one of the most bewildering TV experiments of all time: Cop Rock. We'll explain how the show happened and why it didn't quite catch on.
There’s A House In The Middle Of France’s Loire River (Cool Weird Awesome 851)
It's known as the House in the Loire, and it's a popular sight for those on Loire River boat tours. But it's not a house on a formerly dry site that later flooded; nor does anyone live there.
With Solar-Reflective Paint, School Playgrounds Are Getting Cooler (Cool Weird Awesome 850)
Hot days make for stuffy classrooms, and that can make it hard to learn, but going outside to scorching hot asphalt playgrounds isn’t much better. A school near Atlanta is demonstrating one partial solution, and it’s as simple as getting a fresh coat of paint.
It’s September 21st, So Of Course We’re Doing A Show About Earth, Wind & Fire’s “September” (Cool Weird Awesome 849)
It was a hit when it was first released in 1978. Today it’s an anthem. Here's how Earth, Wind & Fire got everybody dancing and remembering each September 21st.
The “Lunch Atop A Skyscraper” Photo Was Originally A Publicity Stunt (Cool Weird Awesome 848)
Today in 1932, an unknown photographer took one of the most famous, most astonishing photographs of all time, the one known as “Lunch Atop A Skyscraper.” Here's more about how it happened.