Two Forecasters Figured Out How To Predict Tornadoes, Right Before One Touched Down (Cool Weird Awesome 741)

Today in 1948, two meteorologists helped make things safer for those living in the path of severe storms, when they issued the first successful tornado warning.

By |2022-03-25T06:11:35-04:00March 25, 2022|Categories: Cool Weird Awesome, Podcasts|Tags: , , , , |

The Proto-Guitarist Who Rocked Ancient Egypt (Cool Weird Awesome 475)

Guitars as we know them date back to 16th century Europe, but stringed instruments have been around for even longer. And the earliest guitar-like instrument we've been able to find appears to have belonged to Har-Mose, who played for Queen Hatshepsut 3500 years ago in ancient Egypt. Plus: it's National Weatherpersons Day, and boy are we getting lots of weather at our show's HQ.

By |2021-02-05T08:40:23-05:00February 5, 2021|Categories: Cool Weird Awesome, Podcasts|Tags: , , , , |

The Canadiens And Maple Leafs Had A Brawl, And A Hockey Game Broke Out (Cool Weird Awesome 437)

Today in 1953, two NHL teams racked up a then-record 204 penalty minutes, in a game that’s officially 60 minutes long. Hockey is a rough sport. Plus a guitarist in Japan can play blues riffs with a cheerful little parakeet on his hand!

By |2021-08-24T08:23:46-04:00December 9, 2020|Categories: Cool Weird Awesome, Podcasts|Tags: , , , , |

Can Drones Help Make Bridges Safer? (Cool Weird Awesome 342)

The drone company Skydio has just announced a new 3D scanning software that’s intended for use on large-scale structures like bridges. That may help us deal with the tens of thousands of "structurally deficient" bridges in the US. Plus: ever seen a guy do a shredding guitar solo riding on a OneWheel skateboard?

By |2020-07-15T08:23:40-04:00July 15, 2020|Categories: Cool Weird Awesome, Podcasts|Tags: , , , |

Earth Might Have Been Purple Back In The Day (Cool Weird Awesome 318)

Our planet is sometimes called the big blue marble, but Professor Shiladitya DasSarma of the University of Maryland-Baltimore has a hypothesis that suggests if you look way back in time, Earth may have once been bright purple. Plus: meet a guitar with LEDs built into its body that can flash in time with the music.

By |2021-05-25T09:42:20-04:00June 11, 2020|Categories: Cool Weird Awesome, Podcasts|Tags: , , , |

If You Like Hockey, You’ll Like Blind Hockey (Cool Weird Awesome 228)

A growing number of hockey fans are paying attention to blind hockey, where players have either full blindness or 10 percent vision or less. That puts the emphasis on sound. Plus: introducing the Telecaster guitar that's been signed by 16 Navajo code talkers!

By |2020-02-01T20:21:19-05:00January 31, 2020|Categories: Cool Weird Awesome, Podcasts|Tags: , , , , , |

Ben Franklin vs Counterfeiters (Cool Weird Awesome 218)

Benjamin Franklin was a lot of things, but he always saw himself as a printer - and some of what he printed was currency for American colonies. Turns out he had some pretty creative ways to try to keep counterfeiters from copying his bills. Plus: New Orleans is hosting the Samantha Fish Cigar Box Guitar Festival this weekend.

By |2022-02-14T09:04:49-05:00January 17, 2020|Categories: Cool Weird Awesome, Podcasts|Tags: , , , , |

Literally, It’s A Metal Guitar (Cool Weird Awesome 180)

This is a guitar that will literally help you nail a solo: maker and woodworker Tim Sway built a guitar out of reclaimed nails, which he calls the "Tetanuscaster." Plus: the It's A Wonderful Life Festival is in full swing in Jimmy Stewart's hometown of Indiana, PA!

By |2019-11-27T06:36:54-05:00November 27, 2019|Categories: Cool Weird Awesome, Podcasts|Tags: , , , |

The Best Defense Against Cougars Is Metallica (Cool Weird Awesome 103)

When a cougar started walking toward her on a logging trail in British Columbia, Dee Gallant used the power of rock to protect herself. Plus: in a move that might make heavy metal even heavier, guitarist Takamizawa Toshihiko designs a guitar shaped like Godzilla.

By |2021-05-07T09:39:32-04:00August 12, 2019|Categories: Cool Weird Awesome, Podcasts|Tags: , , , , , |
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