Brainstuff

Have you ever wondered how much gold the world has produced over time? How about platinum? Get the grand totals in this HowStuffWorks podcast. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Before there were light bulbs, candles made the world a brighter place. Discover the ingenious technology behind candles in this podcast from HowStuffWorks.com. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You might recognize frankincense and myrrh from the Biblical story of Jesus, but have you ever wondered exactly what they are? Tune in to get the skinny on frankincense and myrrh in this podcast from HowStuffWorks.com. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An electric toothbrush gets power from its base without the help of metal contacts. Find out how this sealed system works in the following podcast from HowStuffWorks.com. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When you put a fresh piece of wood on a hot fire, volatile organic carbons in the wood evaporate, creating smoke. Learn more about smoke in this Brainstuff podcast. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An X-ray machine is essentially a camera that uses x-rays to expose the film, instead of visible light. Learn more about x-ray machines in this HowStuffWorks podcast. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mucous contains mostly water and mucin -- a branched polysaccharide. When polysaccharides such as mucin or cornstarch are mixed with water, the result is a sticky substance. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A new company is claiming that, next year, the problems of carbon emissions, foreign oil dependence, oil spills, fuel shortages, etc. will all end due to a breakthrough in biotechnology. Is it true? Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Can you buy a good, long-lasting toy helicopter for under $30? Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Eyebrows are prominent human features, but what purpose do they serve? Scientists think they help keep stuff out of our eyes and aid in nonverbal communication, among other things. Learn more about eyebrows in this episode. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Salad dressings like Ranch and Thousand Island are traditional favorites, but have you ever wondered how they got their names? Marshall Brain reveals what salad dressings are made of -- and where their famous names came from -- in this episode. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Botulism bacteria creates a type of poisoning and paralysis -- but how does it actually work? Check out this HowStuffWorks podcast to learn more about the effects and spread of botulism. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Most disposable diapers contain a crystalline, absorbent substance called sodium polyacrylate. Learn how this polymer helps contain messes -- and some of the controversy surrounding this substance -- in this podcast from HowStuffWorks. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As of 1999, all TV sets sold in the Untied States are required to contain a viewer-control chip, also known as a v-chip. Check out this HowStuffWorks podcast to learn more about v-chips and television ratings Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aircraft carriers contain some of the most advanced technology in the world. Learn more about aircraft and aircraft carriers in this podcast. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Airplanes rely on gravity to disperse fuel to the engine, but what happens when the plane is flying upside down? Tune in to this podcast from HowStuffWorks.com to discover ways that acrobatic planes fly upside down without crashing. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The decibel unit is used to measure the intensity of a sounds. Check out our HowStuffWorks article to learn more about the decibel scale. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When you look at a normal 120-volt outlet in the United States, there are two vertical slots and then a round hole centered below. Take a look at this HowStuffWorks article to learn why appliance cords are shaped this way. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sodium acetate heat pads start out as a pouch of liquid and crystallize into a warm solid. Explore the fascinating chemistry that makes these heat pads work in this podcast from HowStuffWorks.com. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Groundskeepers at baseball fields create patterns using a process called lawn striping. Tune in to find out how this process works -- and how you can duplicate it to create designs in your own yard. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.