The world’s first ice cream cone - credited by thousands of thrilled visitors was said to have occurred at the St Louis World’s Fair, on July 23rd, 1904.
What’s less clear is which of the fair’s vendors first concocted the viral treat: Charles E. Menches, Ernest Hamwi, Abe Doumar, Albert and Nick Kabbaz, Arnold Fornachou and David Avayou have all been toute ... Show More
Today
Elizabeth of Russia's Bloodless Coup
Wearing an armoured breastplate, clasping a silver cross and seizing an Army spontoon, 31 year old Elizabeth Petrovna appeared at the HQ of the elite Preobrazhensky Regiment guards in St. Petersburg on 25th November, 1741 - intent on over-throwing Tzar Ivan VI (a baby), and seizi ... Show More
11m 23s
Mar 2025
How Books About Things That Changed the World… Changed the World
Look in the nonfiction section of any bookstore and you’ll find dozens of history books making the same bold claim: that their narrow, unexpected subject somehow changed the world. Potatoes, kudzu, soccer, coffee, Iceland, bees, oak trees, sand, chickens—there are books about all ... Show More
56m 24s
Jul 2025
Mailbag: Drug Names, Cow Abductions, and the “Ass-Intensifier”
In this episode we’re opening our mailbag to answer three fascinating questions from our listeners. How did “ass,” a word for donkeys and butts, become what linguists call an “intensifier” for just about everything? How do pharmaceuticals get their wacky names? And why do we all ... Show More
48m 1s
May 2021
74 - There’s Nothing Cooler than a Backflip
This episode of Popcorn Culture is Sponsored by NRMeditation. Check out their meditation services at: https://www.nrmeditation.com/scb
Ben and J discuss: maxing out in games, sports movies, notable historical events, mask-wearing, toll booths, meditation, rule-based imagination, ... Show More
1h 14m
Apr 2025
Ancient Korean Wise Tales w/ Howie Mandel
Get MORE Bad Friends at our Patreon!! https://www.patreon.com/badfriends Thank you to our Sponsors: Shopify, 1-800 Flowers, Square & Shipstation, • Shopify: Sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial period at https://www.shopify.com/badfriends • 1-800-FLOWERS: To claim your Double ... Show More
1h 16m
Feb 2025
From “The Wood” to “The Mandalorian”: Rick Famuyiwa Proves Good Stories Are Universal
<p>There are SO many different ideas out there about what it takes to make it in Hollywood. But our guest today, Rick Famuyiwa, is living proof that carving out your own lane is the move. You probably know him from his recent work, like the hit show “The Mandalorian,” or his 2015 ... Show More
50m 36s
Aug 2023
Power, Play, Sex And Food: An Alternative History of Rome
The annals of ancient Rome’s first emperors have been recounted countless times. However, in his new book, Palatine: An Alternative History of the Caesars, former editor of The Times Peter Stothard presents a fresh perspective. Stothard shifts the focus to the individuals who orb ... Show More
40m 42s