This week we're joined by special guest host Alyssa Cooper as we learn how the Dennison sisters revolutionized England’s penny arcades and how barrel rollers in Québec pulled off the maple syrup heist of the century. A listener email explains how to best pass a kidney stone at Disneyland.

Episode Tabs:

Penny Arcades Would Be Nothing Without the Pioneering Dennison Sisters

https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/penny-arcade-dennison-sisters

https://pennymachines.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?p=39092

Inside Quebec’s Great, Multi-Million-Dollar Maple-Syrup Heist

https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2016/12/maple-syrup-heist

Listener Tabs:

https://www.cbsnews.com/baltimore/news/roller-coaster-kidney-stones/

https://www.fox35orlando.com/news/florida-is-home-worst-taco-bell-location-us-report-says-take-gamble-you-wish

Email your closed tab submissions to: 500opentabs@gmail.com

Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/500OpenTabs

500 Open Roads (Google Maps episode guide): https://maps.app.goo.gl/Tg9g2HcUaFAzXGbw7

Continue the conversation by joining us on Discord! https://discord.gg/8px5RJHk7a

SUPPORT THE SHOW and get 40% off an annual subscription to Nebula by going to https://nebula.tv/500opentabs

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week we explore the short stories of Sci-Fi writer Cordwainer Smith and how a prop in the Stuart Little movie led to the rediscovery of a lost Hungarian masterpiece. A listener email explains how 9/11 ruined Disney World train tours forever.

Episode Tabs:

The Sci-Fi Writer who Invented Conspiracy Theory

https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2024/04/science-fiction-conspiracy-theory-psyops/678195/

Stuart Little leads art historian to long-lost Hungarian masterpiece

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/nov/27/stuart-little-art-historian-long-lost-hungarian-masterpiece

Listener Tabs:

https://www.medievalists.net/2023/06/bal-des-ardents/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_heritage_railroads_in_the_United_States

Email your closed tab submissions to: 500opentabs@gmail.com

Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/500OpenTabs

500 Open Roads (Google Maps episode guide): https://maps.app.goo.gl/Tg9g2HcUaFAzXGbw7

Continue the conversation by joining us on Discord! https://discord.gg/8px5RJHk7a

SUPPORT THE SHOW and get 40% off an annual subscription to Nebula by going to https://nebula.tv/500opentabs

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week we learn about the insane lengths Helge Meyer went to help starving kids in the Yugoslav Wars and the CIA/ Chinese Nationalist Party ties of acclaimed SciFi writer Cordwainer Smith. A listener email explains why King Tut was particularly stiff when mummified.

Episode Tabs:

The Real Transporter – Helge Meyer And His Ghost Camaro

https://www.motorpunk.co.uk/carclub-18-30/the-cars/real-transporter-helge-meyer-ghost-camaro/

Throngs of Himself

https://hub.jhu.edu/magazine/2018/fall/cordwainer-smith-paul-linebarger/

Listener Tabs:

https://www.esquiremag.ph/culture/music/how-frank-sinatra-s-song-my-way-triggered-filipino-karaoke-killings-a00304-20191017-lfrm?s=6mtp3t2nathbisrknnf5af8n6k

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/archaeology/king-tutankhamun-was-mummified-with-an-erect-penis-to-quash-religious-revolution-9037709.html

Email your closed tab submissions to: 500opentabs@gmail.com

Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/500OpenTabs

500 Open Roads (Google Maps episode guide): https://maps.app.goo.gl/Tg9g2HcUaFAzXGbw7

Continue the conversation by joining us on Discord! https://discord.gg/8px5RJHk7a

SUPPORT THE SHOW and get 40% off an annual subscription to Nebula by going to https://nebula.tv/500opentabs

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week we learn how Iceland got the wrong translation of Dracula and how America's thirst for guano led the government to enact an insane law in 1856. A listener email gives us the sweats.

Episode Tabs:

The Literary Mystery of the Icelandic Dracula by Valur Grettison

https://grapevine.is/mag/2022/05/09/the-literary-mystery-of-the-icelandic-dracula/

How Fertilizer Madness Sparked a Turd War and Turned Guano Into Gold

https://www.thedailyscoop.com/news/retail-business/how-fertilizer-madness-sparked-turd-war-and-turned-guano-gold

Listener Tabs:

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/lindsay-hoyle-clement-attlee-house-of-commons-bengal-commons-b2580463.html

https://www.vox.com/even-better/24156471/whole-body-deodorants-lume-axe-sweat

Email your closed tab submissions to: 500opentabs@gmail.com

Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/500OpenTabs

500 Open Roads (Google Maps episode guide): https://maps.app.goo.gl/Tg9g2HcUaFAzXGbw7

Continue the conversation by joining us on Discord! https://discord.gg/8px5RJHk7a

SUPPORT THE SHOW and get 40% off an annual subscription to Nebula by going to https://nebula.tv/500opentabs

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week we learn about the discovery of secret tunnels under Los Angeles built by ancient lizard people and how Ann Hodges was struck by a meteorite while napping. A listener email reveals the real life inspiration of Nacho Libre.

Episode Tabs:

The Underground Catacombs of L.A.'s Lizard People

https://lamag.com/news/citydig-the-underground-catacombs-of-las-lizard-people

For the Only Person Ever Hit by a Meteorite, the Real Trouble Began Later

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/only-person-ever-hit-meteorite-real-trouble-began-later-180961238/

Listener Tabs:

https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/al-ralph-capone-dairy-industry-milk-cheese

https://mymodernmet.com/fray-tormenta-nacho-libre/

Email your closed tab submissions to: 500opentabs@gmail.com

Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/500OpenTabs

500 Open Roads (Google Maps episode guide): https://maps.app.goo.gl/Tg9g2HcUaFAzXGbw7

Continue the conversation by joining us on Discord! https://discord.gg/8px5RJHk7a

SUPPORT THE SHOW and get 40% off an annual subscription to Nebula by going to https://nebula.tv/500opentabs

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On this very special episode we KEEP IT JOSIE by learning how Rome had 5 different emperors in the year 193 and what makes a colossal squid versus a giant squid. A listener email explains why southern Californians always use "the" when naming freeways.

Episode Tabs:

Year of the Five Emperors

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Year_of_the_Five_Emperors

Is This the First Recorded Footage of a Colossal Squid Living Freely?

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/is-this-the-first-recorded-footage-of-a-colossal-squid-living-freely-180984482/

Listener Tabs:

https://www.pbssocal.org/shows/lost-la/the-5-the-101-the-405-why-southern-californians-love-saying-the-before-freeway-numbers

https://nymag.com/movies/profiles/57863/

Email your closed tab submissions to: 500opentabs@gmail.com

Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/500OpenTabs

500 Open Roads (Google Maps episode guide): https://maps.app.goo.gl/Tg9g2HcUaFAzXGbw7

Continue the conversation by joining us on Discord! https://discord.gg/8px5RJHk7a

SUPPORT THE SHOW and get 40% off an annual subscription to Nebula by going to https://nebula.tv/500opentabs

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week we are joined by special guest Alex Brodt as we learn about the Groom of the Stool, how Rick Perry's cousin raised the world's oldest cat, and the brief period in time when Art was an Olympic sport. A listener email explains how luggage handlers are just like us.

Episode Tabs:

Groom of the Stool

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Groom_of_the_Stool

How to Raise a 165-Year-Old Cat

https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/how-to-raise-a-165-year-old-cat

Remember When the Olympics Used to Have an Art Competition? No?

https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2012/07/remember-when-the-olympics-used-to-have-an-art-competition-no/260355/

Email your closed tab submissions to: 500opentabs@gmail.com

Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/500OpenTabs

500 Open Roads (Google Maps episode guide): https://maps.app.goo.gl/Tg9g2HcUaFAzXGbw7

Continue the conversation by joining us on Discord! https://discord.gg/8px5RJHk7a

SUPPORT THE SHOW and get 40% off an annual subscription to Nebula by going to https://nebula.tv/500opentabs

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week we learn about the insane story of Alligator Joe and how camels ended up in Australia. A listener email explored Mary Toft's strange birthing practices.

Episode Tabs:

When Kids Played With Alligators in Los Angeles

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/alligator-farm-los-angeles-180957172/

The strange story of Australia’s wild camel

https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20180410-the-strange-story-of-australias-wild-camel

Listener Tabs:

https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/library/files/special/exhibns/month/aug2009.html

https://www.pcmag.com/news/firefox-power-user-keeps-7400-plus-browser-tabs-open-for-2-years

Email your closed tab submissions to: 500opentabs@gmail.com

Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/500OpenTabs

500 Open Roads (Google Maps episode guide): https://maps.app.goo.gl/Tg9g2HcUaFAzXGbw7

Continue the conversation by joining us on Discord! https://discord.gg/8px5RJHk7a

SUPPORT THE SHOW and get 40% off an annual subscription to Nebula by going to https://nebula.tv/500opentabs

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.