Mark and Toddcast

#187 - The Daring Escape and Incredible Life of Robert Smalls

Robert Smalls was born into slavery, and through his wit, patience, bravery, and skill, was able to steal a Confederate war ship and sail himself, his wife, and several other families past Fort Sumter and to freedom during the Civil War. But that wasn't the end - Smalls went on to become one of the most important figures of the fight against the South, gained the ear of Lincoln, and secured voting rights for African-Americans after the war.

 

We also read a story about anuses.

#186 -You Can't Throw a Curveball in Space

We're back after our extended break, and this week we take a closer look at how Bernoulli's principles of pressure work to create things like airplane lift and curve ball curves  - unless you're in space.

#185 - When Russia Tried To Sell Its Navy to Pepsi

Like any good story, this one begins with Kruschev and Nixon, drenches itself in vodka, and ends with the collapse of the Soviet Union. Grab yourself a soda (or pop?) and take a ride through Russia's relationship with Pepsi, the first American product sold in the soviet block.

 

#184 - The Antikytheria Mechanism

Found in a shipwreck and dating back to A.D. 100, the Antikytheria Mechanism proved to be one of the most fascinating devices ever: it accurately predicted the positions of the earth, moon, sun, and planets -- more than 500 years before we even realized the sun was the center of the universe.

#183 - Mark and Todd - In Person!

To celebrate one year of remote recording, we actually recorded a show with both of us in the same room! Join us as we review some of the topics and news stories that have been piling up over the past couple of weeks.

 

Dad Jokes 3: The Daddening

A supercut of Mark's opening "Dad Joke" from the past year of episodes.

#181 - The Beautification of Stainless Steel

Few substances have changed the world more than stainless steel, yet its magical properties often go uncelebrated. This week we change that, as we look in to the history (and future) of stainless steel.

#180 - The Wilhelm Teapot

Hello, world! This week we take a look at a handful of hidden-in-plain-sight "phenomenons" that appear in films, music, and even computer programs. That's all I feel like writing.

#179 - The Colossus of Rhodes

This week we take a look at one of the 7 Wonders of the Ancient World - the Colossus of Rhodes. How much do we actually know about it? How was it built and how long was it there? Find out on this week's episode.

#178 - Things We Thought We Knew

This week we take a look at some things we all thought we had figured out...that we still don't have figured out. Namely, how does a bike self-correct to keep itself upright when moving? And how does the Coriolis Effect make water drain in the opposite direction in the Southern Hemisphere? Or do either of those things really happen at all? Find out this week.