Lily and Buster discuss the fascinating journey of wigs, from their origins as symbols of wealth under Louis XIII and Queen Elizabeth I to 18th-century powdered extravagance featuring ship-shaped designs. They trace wigs' transformation into vital tools for modern fashion, judicial practices, and entertainment, uncovering the global industry behind them. Discover how practical needs and cultural standards shaped one of fashion’s most enduring elements.
Episodes (20)
Discover the ancient Chinese origins of fireworks, their global cultural significance, and their evolution in design and chemistry. Learn about the compounds that create stunning colors, like barium and strontium, and explore current issues such as sustainability and safety. With humorous anecdotes and practical tips, this episode offers a fresh perspective on fireworks in today’s world.
In this episode, Lily and Buster recount the strange history of medieval animal trials, including a pig charged with murder and a virtuous donkey's surprising acquittal. While humorously discussing bizarre cases like caterpillars condemned for crop destruction, they examine the deeper cultural and legal implications of these events. Listen as they bring historical transcripts and peculiar anecdotes to life, revealing humanity's odd drive to assign blame—even to animals.
Join Lily and Buster as they uncover the quirky origins of events like cheese rolling and extreme ironing, exploring their cultural significance and the unique communities they form. From crafting custom ironing boards to debating the oddest sports missing from Wikipedia, this lighthearted look at bizarre competitions also includes Buster's wild idea for "duck-call karaoke".
Lily and Buster uncover the secrets of ancient recipes, from Garum, the Roman fish sauce, to Mesopotamian stews, highlighting their cultural significance and hierarchies. They humorously imagine ancient flavors and discuss the endurance and revival of food techniques like fermentation in modern trends. The episode concludes with a look at how chefs are reinterpreting historical dishes for today’s gastronomic world.
The Landfill Harmonic orchestra in Paraguay has inspired the world by creating musical instruments from discarded materials. Led by Favio Chavez and Luis Szarán, this community project transformed lives and earned international recognition, with performances in Brazil, Colombia, and beyond. Hear how trash became treasure and music became a universal language.
Lily and Buster explore the extravagant courtship dances of peacocks, the charming pebble-gifting of penguins, and the high-stakes mating rituals of spiders. From feathered displays to perilous sacrifices, they humorously compare these animal behaviors to human dating customs while unpacking their evolutionary significance.
From its questionable origins as a 19th-century medicinal tonic to its domination as a sweetened condiment, ketchup has an incredible story. Lily and Buster tackle its evolution, industrial success under Heinz, and even its scientific quirks, like its status as a non-Newtonian fluid. Along the way, expect humor, fascinating history, and a surprising look at ketchup's innovative packaging.
Join Lily and Buster as they explore the enchanting world of miniature parks, from the iconic Madurodam to Japan's Tobu World Square. Discover the incredible craftsmanship, cultural storytelling, and whimsical experiences these tiny landscapes offer. Along the way, the hosts share playful musings about creating their own miniature personas and adventures.
Lily and Buster tackle the mystery of "space smells," as astronauts describe scents like burnt metal and gunpowder. They humorously muse on the untapped potential of cosmic fragrances and even point out the odd lack of a Wikipedia page for the vacuum of space. From Martian candles to sensory tech for future space tourists, this episode blends scientific wonder with playful imagination.
Journey through the fascinating history of ice cream from its Persian roots to its global adaptations in Roman and Japanese cultures. Discover how 19th-century innovations made ice cream a household staple, and enjoy the playful exploration of bizarre flavors like lobster and garlic. Join Buster and Lily as they share their adventurous tasting experiences and invite you to ponder your own wild flavor combinations.
Lily and Buster discuss the divine role of cats in ancient Egyptian culture, from their association with the goddess Bastet to their protection under strict laws. They trace the decline of this cat reverence with Christianity's rise and draw parallels to today’s cat memes and superstitions. Along the way, Buster adds humor, imagining contemporary feline laws and debating Cleopatra’s potential as history's first "cat meme" creator.
Lily and Buster uncover the fascinating science of miraculin and its power to make sour taste sweet, complete with live taste tests. They share the berry’s rich history, from West African traditions to modern innovations in food and health. This episode dives into its surprising journey, including marketing challenges and creative uses for the future.
This episode uncovers the eerie legends of Robert the Doll and Annabelle, exploring their histories, media portrayals, and the cultural obsession with haunted objects. Lily and Buster engage in a lively debate about the supernatural versus human curiosity, adding humor and insight. From spooky origins to booming paranormal attractions, discover why these dolls captivate and unsettle audiences worldwide.
Discover the fascinating origin story of Ruth Wakefield’s chocolate chip cookie recipe and its journey to becoming a global sensation. Lily and Buster unravel the science behind perfecting cookie textures and share humorous takes on recipe variations. From the WWII care packages that spread its fame to international markets, this episode celebrates the iconic cookie loved worldwide.
From the Piltdown Man fossil forgery to the Great Moon Hoax, Lily and Buster recount iconic hoaxes that deceived the world. They discuss the psychology behind gullibility, viral absurdities like the Pacific Northwest tree octopus, and the fine line between harmless pranks and harmful frauds. With wit and insight, this episode reveals how easily fact can turn into fiction.
Lily and Buster trace the roots of sneaker culture, from NYC in the 1980s and Michael Jordan's Air Jordans to today's global sneaker events and booming markets in Asia. They unpack the artistry of limited-edition sneakers, the $10 billion resale market, and even future trends like NFT integrations. From hip-hop to skateboarding, this episode captures why sneakers are more than just footwear.
Lily and Buster uncover the fascinating history of the Gros Michel and Cavendish bananas, explaining how monoculture spelled disaster for one and risks the future of the other. From comedic banana peel antics to Andy Warhol’s art, they trace bananas' quirky role in pop culture. The episode concludes with a debate on whether bananas are a global dietary hero or a looming agricultural crisis.
In the chaos of the Great Depression, Australian farmers faced an unusual enemy: 20,000 emus devastating their crops. Lily and Buster unpack the military's failed campaigns, the emus' surprising resilience, and how this bizarre chapter changed pest control policy forever. They also explore the cultural legacy of a "war" so absurd it inspired movies and satire.
Discover the unbelievable story of Mike, a chicken who survived being beheaded in 1945 Colorado and became a national sensation. Hosts Lily and Buster explain the science behind his survival, his rise as a sideshow star earning thousands, and his lasting legacy, including annual celebrations in Fruita. This is a tale of shocking resilience and small-town triumph that continues to captivate.