John Joseph Merlin created automata, musical instruments, clocks, and one of the first pairs of roller skates. His roller skate debut was pretty tragic (and hilarious). A.C. Gilbert was a magician turned toymaker who created some important and lasting toys, and also some incredibly dangerous ones.
Yesterday
Important Animals: Blisters, Shin Splints, Museum Spiders and more
The Bunion Derby (featured in the last episode) also featured a few four-legged friends, including dogs named Blisters and Shin Splints. We'll also re-visit the Pony Express and meet the Chilean Recluse Spiders who have lived peacefully at the Finnish Museum of Natural History fo ... Show More
16m 22s
Aug 31
Bunion Derby and Route 66
November of 2026 will mark the 100th Anniversary of Route 66, a highway that inspired road trips, neon signs, writers, singers, and even a movie about talking cars. But first, the Bunion Derby was a publicity stunt for attention on Route 66 and it was America's first cross-countr ... Show More
30 m
Feb 2016
Ep. 33. The Crystal Kingdom - Chapter Five
<p>Our heroes face a series of challenges while exploring Lucas' lab that are, admittedly, all pretty adorable. But still super deadly! Just, like, huggably deadly. Merle performs a random act of kindness. Taako remembers an acrobatic nursery rhyme. Magnus experiences the magic o ... Show More
58m 6s
Mar 2023
The Wizard Brothers and the Toy Uprising
<p>To request a custom story, visit www.storybird.ai. In this enchanting tale, two brothers, Jonah and Jesse, wake up to find that their parents have disappeared and their toys and stuffed animals have come to life. As they embark on a magical adventure to solve the mystery, they ... Show More
13m 24s
Jan 2022
S1E125 - Kapow's Power of Invention: Earmuffs
Winter is the time of year where lakes from Maine to Minneapolis freeze over and kids strap on skates and get to go skating on the ice. Well, back in 1858, one of the kids you would have found on the ice, was a 15-year-old boy named Chester Greenwood. Chester had a problem that o ... Show More
10m 18s
Mar 2021
Goodness, Gracious, Great Ball on Fire!
Kurt and Scotty talk about a company that was sued for sending a prank gift, friends rescued after floating 100 miles out to sea on air mattress, a crystal ball that caused a house fire, a mother and daughter who rigged the homecoming court and a walrus that fell asleep on an ice ... Show More
56m 34s
Jul 2024
#347: Granny X And The Demon Teddy Bear
<p>With a whimsical imagination evidently amplified by paranormal powers, a young British girl was able to conjure, seemingly from the ether, fantastical playmates for her enjoyment. Her mythical menagerie was a source of endless delight until the day she accidentally called fort ... Show More
1h 21m