Elevators seem pretty mundane, until you realize a certain king used them to hide his mistresses; a certain politician used them to exaggerate the height of his buildings, and all of America refused to ride them until a certain marketing genius (the one and only P. T. Barnum!) designed a stunt to get everyone on board. 

 Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

Elevators seem pretty mundane, until you realize a certain king used them to hide his mistresses; a certain politician used them to exaggerate the height of his buildings, and all of America refused to ride them until a certain marketing genius (the one and only P. T. Barnum!) designed a stunt to get everyone on board.  Learn more about your ad-choices at <a href="https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com">https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com</a>

Are you a knowledge junkie who loves when facts are stranger than fiction? Do you find yourself constantly tripping down Wikipedia rabbit holes (and delighting in the journey)? Have you ever been told you ask a lot of questions? If so, congrats! You’re one of us: a Part-Time Genius! Join Will, Mango, and the team as we scour the globe in search of obscure facts, offbeat locales, and hidden histories. Along the way, we’ll chat with experts, play some games, get in touch with our silly side, and celebrate the fine art of staying curious.

Are you a knowledge junkie who loves when facts are stranger than fiction? Do you find yourself constantly tripping down Wikipedia rabbit holes (and delighting in the journey)? Have you ever been told you ask a lot of questions? If so, congrats! You&rsquo;re one of us: a Part-Time Genius! Join Will, Mango, and the team as we scour the globe in search of obscure facts, offbeat locales, and hidden histories. Along the way, we&rsquo;ll chat with experts, play some games, get in touch with our silly side, and celebrate the fine art of staying curious.

Part-Time Genius

Elevators seem pretty mundane, until you realize a certain king used them to hide his mistresses; a certain politician used them to exaggerate the height of his buildings, and all of America refused to ride them until a certain marketing genius (the one and only P. T. Barnum!) designed a stunt to get everyone on board.

How did P. T. Barnum Trick the World into Riding Elevators? 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/af835dc1-f651-4175-bae8-ae3200711e12/transcript

If you think about it, burying a bunch of random stuff in the ground isn’t the most logical practice. But for centuries, people have created time capsules for future generations to find. Today Will and Mango dig in, literally, to this strange phenomenon. What counts as a time capsule? Are there limits to what can be preserved? What are the most surprising (and disappointing) objects ever hidden away? Plus: The shocking true story of Blinky, the little lizard who could. Or couldn’t, as the case may be.

Got a question or idea for the show? Call our hotline at (302) 405-5925 or email higeniuses@gmail.com.

Follow us on Instagram @parttimegenius and Bluesky @parttimegenius.bsky.social!

Photo of the Crypt of Civilization via Wikimedia Commons.

Learn more about your ad choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com.

If you think about it, burying a bunch of random stuff in the ground isn&rsquo;t the most logical practice. But for centuries, people have created time capsules for future generations to find. Today Will and Mango dig in, literally, to this strange phenomenon. What counts as a time capsule? Are there limits to what can be preserved? What are the most surprising (and disappointing) objects ever hidden away? Plus: The shocking true story of Blinky, the little lizard who could. Or couldn&rsquo;t, as the case may be.
Got a question or idea for the show? Call our hotline at (302) 405-5925 or email higeniuses@gmail.com.
Follow us on Instagram&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/parttimegenius/">@parttimegenius</a> and Bluesky <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/parttimegenius.bsky.social">@parttimegenius.bsky.social</a>!
Photo of the Crypt of Civilization via Wikimedia Commons.
Learn more about your ad choices at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com">https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com</a>.

Why Are We So Obsessed with Time Capsules?

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/8eba8abf-08e5-4cbc-98a4-b4b00162f52a/transcript

From the history of recorders (the OG flute), to a celebrity fart-flute performer, to the flautist who pulled off a museum heist in order to buy a new instrument... today's episode features nine fascinating facts about flutes!

This episode originally aired on May 9, 2024.

Got a question or idea for the show? Call our hotline at (302) 405-5925 or email higeniuses@gmail.com.

Follow us on Instagram @parttimegenius and Bluesky @parttimegenius.bsky.social!

Photo by Tsuyoshi Kozu via Unsplash. Thanks, Tsuyoshi!

Learn more about your ad choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com.

From the history of recorders (the OG flute), to a celebrity fart-flute performer, to the flautist who pulled off a museum heist in order to buy a new instrument... today's episode features nine fascinating facts about flutes!
This episode originally aired on May 9, 2024.
Got a question or idea for the show? Call our hotline at (302) 405-5925 or email higeniuses@gmail.com.
Follow us on Instagram&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/parttimegenius/">@parttimegenius</a> and Bluesky <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/parttimegenius.bsky.social">@parttimegenius.bsky.social</a>!
Photo by Tsuyoshi Kozu via Unsplash. Thanks, Tsuyoshi!
Learn more about your ad choices at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com">https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com</a>.

Why Do Kids Play Recorders in School?

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/44c6e648-5374-4b68-9f41-b4a600172064/transcript

Rats! For centuries, we've tried (and failed) to keep them under control, because not only are rats brave enough to swim out of toilets, they're also kind of brilliant. Find out how they foiled Pablo Escobar, why some rat owners let their pets play dentist, and why tiny trousers are their kryptonite. Featuring author and longtime friend of the show AJ Jacobs.

This episode originally aired on June 7, 2017.

Got a question or idea for the show? Call our hotline at (302) 405-5925 or email higeniuses@gmail.com.

Follow us on Instagram @parttimegenius and Bluesky @parttimegenius.bsky.social!

Photo by Nikolett Emmert via Unsplash. Thanks, Nikolett!

Learn more about your ad choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com.

Rats! For centuries, we've tried (and failed) to keep them under control, because not only are rats brave enough to swim out of toilets, they're also kind of brilliant. Find out how they foiled Pablo Escobar, why some rat owners let their pets play dentist, and why tiny trousers are their kryptonite. Featuring author and longtime friend of the show AJ Jacobs.
This episode originally aired on June 7, 2017.
Got a question or idea for the show? Call our hotline at (302) 405-5925 or email higeniuses@gmail.com.
Follow us on Instagram&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/parttimegenius/">@parttimegenius</a> and Bluesky <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/parttimegenius.bsky.social">@parttimegenius.bsky.social</a>!
Photo by Nikolett Emmert via Unsplash. Thanks, Nikolett!
Learn more about your ad choices at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com">https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com</a>.

Rats are our grossest of foes. They’re also geniuses. (Respect, rats.) Hear how they foiled Pablo Escobar; why Chuck E. Cheese transitioned to a mouse; and why tiny trousers are their kryptonite. Featuring AJ Jacobs.

How Have Rats Outsmarted Us for So Long?

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/e1912c8b-1b56-41b9-947e-b4a600135ba2/transcript

How did P. T. Barnum Trick the World into Riding Elevators?

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