From Hula Hoops to Frisbees, Superballs to Slip-n-Slides, Wham-O has put smiles on generations of American kids. But how did the little toy company that could get its start? (Spoiler: a meat-pellet shooter for your pet falcon!) And what are some of their greatest duds? (Spoiler 2: Instant fish!) Join Will and Gabe as they romp through the history of WHAM-O.

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

From Hula Hoops to Frisbees, Superballs to Slip-n-Slides, Wham-O has put smiles on generations of American kids. But how did the little toy company that could get its start? (Spoiler: a meat-pellet shooter for your pet falcon!) And what are some of their greatest duds? (Spoiler 2: Instant fish!) Join Will and Gabe as they romp through the history of WHAM-O. 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

From Hula Hoops to Frisbees, Superballs to Slip-n-Slides, Wham-O has put smiles on generations of American kids. But how did the little toy company that could get its start? (Spoiler: a meat-pellet shooter for your pet falcon!) And what are some of their

How did WHAM-O become America's Greatest Novelty Toy Company?

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/8ab92ecf-a3b5-476b-8d81-ae320093663f/transcript

Tony Danza. Tony the Tiger. The Tonys. What do they have in common? (Look closely and you'll get it.) Today Will and Mango are sharing nine facts about people named Tony!

EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal ➼ https://nordvpn.com/ptg Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee!

Photo of Tony Danza via Wikimedia Commons.

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

Tony Danza. Tony the Tiger. The Tonys. What do they have in common? (Look closely and you'll get it.) Today Will and Mango are sharing nine facts about people named Tony!
EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal ➼<a href="https://nordvpn.com/ptg"> https://nordvpn.com/ptg</a> Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee!
Photo of Tony Danza via Wikimedia Commons.
Learn more about your ad choices at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com">https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com</a>.

What Causes Tony Danza Syndrome?

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/91e8fab4-82d1-41d0-abd9-b44e00c6a474/transcript

When Ben Franklin took over the USPS, he couldn’t have predicted the crazy ways the institution would evolve. From pneumatic tubes to missiles filled with mail, Will and Mango dig into the Post Office's weirdest experiments, and find out why Olympic athletes can no longer mail themselves home when they lose a wallet. Featuring Nancy Pope of the National Postal Museum.

EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal ➼ https://nordvpn.com/ptg Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee!

This episode originally aired on October 18, 2017.

Note: Nancy passed away in 2019, two years after we recorded this conversation. Read about her extraordinary life and work in this obituary published by the National Postal Museum.

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 David Trinks via Unsplash.Thanks, David!

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

When Ben Franklin took over the USPS, he couldn&rsquo;t have predicted the crazy ways the institution would evolve. From pneumatic tubes to missiles filled with mail, Will and Mango dig into the Post Office's weirdest experiments, and find out why Olympic athletes can no longer mail themselves home when they lose a wallet. Featuring Nancy Pope of the National Postal Museum.
EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal ➼<a href="https://nordvpn.com/ptg"> https://nordvpn.com/ptg</a> Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee!
This episode originally aired on October 18, 2017.
Note: Nancy passed away in 2019, two years after we recorded this conversation. Read about her extraordinary life and work in&nbsp;<a href="https://postalmuseum.si.edu/in-memoriam-nancy-pope">this obituary</a> published by the National Postal Museum.
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 David Trinks via Unsplash.Thanks, David!
Learn more about your ad choices at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com">https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com</a>.

When Ben Franklin took over the US Postal Service, he couldn’t have predicted the crazy ways the institution would evolve. From pneumatic tubes to missiles filled with mail, Will and Mango dig into the post office's weirdest experiments, while discussing

Secrets of the Post Office! with Nancy Pope

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/d01cd024-04c1-422b-8ed4-b42c011adf3a/transcript

While Mangesh (aka Mango) is busy working on season 2 of his other show, Skyline Drive, we’re revisiting season 1 right here, and we’re up to episode 5! As Annie attempts to clean out her parents’ garage and sort their finances, she has an unusual question for our astrologer. Meanwhile, Mangesh learns how astrology is affecting the world of C-sections, discusses reading babies' palms in utero, and hears a surprising story from his sister.

Heads up: there are explicit lyrics and curses in this episode. 

Skyline Drive was selected as an Apple Podcasts Series Essential! Listen ad-free for a limited time.

Subscribe to Skyline Drive wherever you get your podcasts!

While Mangesh (aka Mango) is busy working on season 2 of his other show, Skyline Drive, we&rsquo;re revisiting season 1 right here, and we&rsquo;re up to episode 5! As Annie attempts to clean out her parents&rsquo; garage and sort their finances, she has an unusual question for our astrologer. Meanwhile, Mangesh learns how astrology is affecting the world of C-sections, discusses reading babies' palms in utero, and hears a surprising story from his sister.
Heads up: there are explicit lyrics and curses in this episode.&nbsp;
Skyline Drive was selected as an Apple Podcasts Series Essential! Listen ad-free for a limited time.
Subscribe to Skyline Drive wherever you get your podcasts!

Skyline Drive: A Little More Asian Than I Thought

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/822755f8-9391-480a-969f-b44a00e498a7/transcript

How did WHAM-O become America's Greatest Novelty Toy Company?

In 1 playlist(s)

Part-Time Genius

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips