Cool Weird Awesome With Brady Carlson

Today in 1958, eaters looking for a quick, inexpensive and tasty option got what they were looking for: it was the birthday of instant noodles. And the man known as the Father of Instant Noodles was Momofuku Ando. Plus: today in Askov, Minnesota, the Askov Rutabaga Festival and Fair is starting up! The Humble Origins of Instant Ramen: From Ending World Hunger to Space Noodles (Gizmodo)  Askov Rutabaga Festival & Fair In just a few minutes you can make instant ramen or back this show on Patreon. Or both! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/coolweirdawesome/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/coolweirdawesome/support

TranscribeGlass is a new set of glasses powered by artificial intelligence that can transcribe speech in real time and create captions for people who need them. Plus: in August 1930, an architect told Modern Mechanix magazine that banks could foil robbers if everything was made of transparent glass.  Stanford Students Create AI Glasses That Transcribe Speech in Real-Time for Deaf People (My Modern Met)  Glass Banks Were the Future of Security in 1931 (Paleofuture) It's smart to back this show on Patreon --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/coolweirdawesome/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/coolweirdawesome/support

Today in 1974, John Lennon said he saw a UFO while looking out the window. Whatever it was that actually happened, he was far from the only famous musician to say they'd encountered something in the skies. Plus: we pour some water on the claims that Alexander the Great claimed to have seen UFOs too. John Lennon says he saw a UFO (Songfacts) 11 pop stars who claim to have seen UFOs (BBC)  16 Famous People Who Claim They've Seen UFOs, And Yes It's Exactly Who You'd Expect (Buzzfeed) Did Alexander the Great really see UFOs ? (Deliy Annis) Help us fly high as a backer on Patreon --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/coolweirdawesome/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/coolweirdawesome/support

This month in 2001, a self-described “sign guy” decided to solve an issue on southern California highways by adding his own road sign. Plus: today in 1851, the very first America's Cup competition, won by - as you might guess from the name - a ship named America.  How an Artist Helped Millions of Drivers With a Counterfeit Highway Sign (The Drive) U.S. wins first America’s Cup (History.com) All signs point to you backing our show on Patreon --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/coolweirdawesome/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/coolweirdawesome/support

There’s new research out that suggests that for those trying to eat healthy, bigger is better - at least when it comes to font sizes on parts of the menu. Plus: the Bulwer-Lytton Fiction Contest has announced this year’s winner of the worst opening sentence to an unwritten novel.   Font size can ‘nudge’ customers toward healthier food choices (Washington State University) 2023 Grand Prize Winner (Bulwer-Lytton Fiction Contest) Hopefully we can nudge you toward supporting our show on Patreon --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/coolweirdawesome/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/coolweirdawesome/support

This week we’re replaying some of our favorite past episodes about some delicious between-meal treats. In this episode from October 2019, we find out why candy corn has fans, not just detractors. After all, someone's eating those 9 billion pieces produced each year. Plus: a haunted house in Utah with an unforgettably creepy name.  The Saccharine History of Candy Corn (National Geographic) 2019 Strangling Brothers Haunted Circus (Visit Salt Lake) Backing Cool Weird Awesome on Patreon is so, so sweet --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/coolweirdawesome/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/coolweirdawesome/support

This week we’re replaying some of our favorite past episodes about some delicious between-meal treats. In this episode from May 2020, authorities in Belgium call on citizens to do their duty and help the country's potato farmers by ordering frites twice a week - fitting, since Belgium is home of the world's only Frietmuseum and considers itself the birthplace of the fried potato. Plus: today in 2008, the passing of the man who made the Pringles can possible. And he included that iconic tube of chips in his final wishes.  Belgians asked to eat fries twice a week (Brussels Times) The Humble Origins Of The French Fry Might Surprise You (Food Republic) Can Belgium Claim Ownership of the French Fry? (BBC) The Man Buried in a Pringles Can (TIME) Back Cool Weird Awesome for just $1 a month - just as good for your ears as fries are for your appetite --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/coolweirdawesome/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/coo

This week we’re replaying some of our favorite past episodes about some delicious between-meal treats. In this episode from December 2020, we take a closer look at the amazing and frequently disturbing history of gingerbread, including how one of the most famous royals of all time helped bring gingerbread people into the world. Plus: a lesson in patience from a musical great who made herself into a cookie-baking expert.  The History of Gingerbread (PBS) 5 Facts You Probably Don't Know About Christmas Cookies (Food and Wine) Neko Case: Pet Sounds (Spin) There's nothing sweeter than our backers on Patreon --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/coolweirdawesome/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/coolweirdawesome/support

This week we’re replaying some of our favorite past episodes about some delicious between-meal treats. In this episode from February 2021, the makers of the cheese curl (or one of them, there are several origin stories) end with a creation that was supposed to be something entirely different. Plus: LEGO City is a bustling place, and some fans are hoping it will add bike lanes for LEGO riders.  Junk Food’s Happiest Accident (Tedium) Elmer's Cheesy History (Elmer's CheeWees) LEGO bike lanes might be on their way thanks to this idea (Designboom) This podcast and its backers on Patreon are a delicious combination --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/coolweirdawesome/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/coolweirdawesome/support

This week we’re replaying some of our favorite past episodes about some delicious between-meal treats. In this episode from April 2021, we mark National Pretzel Day with a deep dive into the history of this near-perfect snack. Plus: if you're hungry for pretzels, we'll tell you about a pretzel-themed restaurant in Maryland.  The Religious History of Pretzels (Food and Wine) History of Pretzels (The Spruce Eats) The Pretzel: A Twisted History (History.com) The Pretzel-Themed Restaurant In Maryland Where All Of Your Carby Dreams Come True (Only in Maryland) We'd make homemade pretzels every day for our Patreon backers if we could --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/coolweirdawesome/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/coolweirdawesome/support

The second Friday in August is an exciting time in the Scottish community of South Queensferrry. That’s when the town holds an event that takes some explaining: the Burryman’s Parade. Plus: today in North Plains, Oregon, it's the annual Elephant Garlic festival. 'Not many people can say they are the Burryman' (The Scotsman) North Plains Elephant Garlic Festival How about a parade of backers head over to our Patreon page? --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/coolweirdawesome/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/coolweirdawesome/support

Today in 1995 one of the most unusual endings to a big league baseball game ever: an umpire called a forfeit after the fans showered the field with souvenir baseballs. Plus: starting tomorrow in Williston, North Dakota, it's the 2023 North Dakota Chokecherry Festival. The crazy story behind MLB’s last forfeit (MLB.com)  2023 North Dakota Chokecherry Festival You can have a ball as one of our backers on Patreon --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/coolweirdawesome/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/coolweirdawesome/support

This month in 1912, the community of Bisbee, Arizona decided to gamify its anti-bug response by offering rewards for the most avid fly-swatters. Plus: starting tomorrow in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, it’s the US Open Chainsaw Sculpture Championship. The Bisbee fly-catching contest of 1912 (Boing Boing) US Open Chainsaw Sculpture Championship Build the buzz around our show as a backer on Patreon --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/coolweirdawesome/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/coolweirdawesome/support

For National Dollar Day, the story of the time a guy overseeing the printing of US money decided the best person to feature on that money was… himself. Plus: for International Cat Day, a look at a 19 foot long fiberglass cat in Pine Island, New York. A Treasury Official in 1866 Put His Own Face on U.S. Currency (Atlas Obscura)  The Biggest Cat In The World (WeirdNJ via YouTube) For just 20 Spencer M. Clark bills a month (aka $1), you can back this show on Patreon --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/coolweirdawesome/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/coolweirdawesome/support

This week in 2019, the president of Turkmenistan got the world’s attention with a very unusual drive around a flaming gas crater that's become an attraction for some tourists as well as a big headache for environmental scientists. Plus: this week in 2018, a woman in Oklahoma asked if she could borrow an orange cat so her two kids could have a Garfield lasagna party. And it worked! Turkmenistan's leader does doughnuts next to flaming crater to prove he's not dead (ABC Australia) U.S. in serious talks to close Turkmenistan’s “Gates of Hell” (Mercury News)  This mom needs to borrow an orange cat for the most hilarious reason (USA Today) Keep this show hot as a backer on Patreon --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/coolweirdawesome/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/coolweirdawesome/support

Today in 1991, the luxury cruise ship Oceanos sank while traveling around the coast of South Africa. Fortunately everyone who was on that ship survived, and, surprisingly, the people who made sure everyone made it to safety were the ship’s musicians. Plus: today in 1914, the birthday of Hubert Blaine Wolfe­schlegel­stein­hausen­berger­dorff Sr., whose full name was a record 747 characters long. The guitarist who saved hundreds of people on a sinking cruise liner (BBC)  What's In A Name? 666 Letters, Plus 26 Given Names (The Free Lance-Star via Google News Archive) For just $1 a month on Patreon you can help keep this show afloat --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/coolweirdawesome/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/coolweirdawesome/support

Some of us plan our trips so we can visit all 50 states. If you’re one of these travelers, the state of North Dakota has a club just for you. Plus: today in 1907, a woman in Paris, Madeleine Ravier, received a patent for what she called a "bicycle for animals." Are we doing summer road trips again? If so, consider the Best For Last Club in North Dakota (Fargo-Moorhead Welcome Center) Madeleine Ravier’s Bicycle for Animals (Weird Universe) Whether they show up first or last, our Patreon backers are always the best --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/coolweirdawesome/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/coolweirdawesome/support

Around this time in 1935, the US government was making a big decision about some small amounts of money: there was a push to create a kind of currency worth a tenth of a cent. Plus: the story of a silver certificate issued in 1899 that featured the likeness of Tȟatȟóka Íŋyaŋke, a Hunkpapa Lakota chief who is, to date, the only Native American to appear on US paper money. What are Sales Tax Tokens? (Taxtoken.org) --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/coolweirdawesome/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/coolweirdawesome/support

Today in 1911, the birthday of Jackie Ormes, the first Black woman to have syndicated comic strips in newspapers. Plus: today in 1935, the release of a Three Stooges short that has a scene where Moe crashes through a table and breaks three ribs. Probably goes without saying that injuries weren't in the script. Found in the Collection: Jackie Ormes! (1911-1985) (Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum)   Pardon My Scotch Trivia (IMDB) Join our community on Patreon and we'll make something great together --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/coolweirdawesome/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/coolweirdawesome/support

Today in 1935, singer Kitty Burke got up from the crowd at a major league game and took an at-bat. To date, she's the only woman to bat in the majors. Plus: it's SPAM Day, and if you're at one of the company's facilities, make sure that you don't call junk email "spam." They use a different term. THE WOMAN WHO BATTED DURING A MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL GAME (Today I Found Out) How Spam Meat Has Survived Spam E-Mail (Bloomberg) You can make this show a hit as a backer on Patreon --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/coolweirdawesome/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/coolweirdawesome/support