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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.

Part-Time Genius

If you’re anything like Will and Mango, you remember playing with Transformers as a kid. Or maybe you still enjoy transforming bots, in which case you should know the correct verb is “converting.” On today’s episode, we take a closer look at this ubiquitous toy with a surprising history that includes tea-serving dolls, WWII scrap metal, and a strangely touching example of corporate collaboration.
 
 
 
Here’s another fun fact: we’re on Instagram! Find us @parttimegenius, and feel free to leave comments or questions for the show.
 
 
 
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See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Transformers! Are They More Than Meets the Eye?

'Tis the season for knitwear! So we’re celebrating sweaters of all shapes and sizes. Did you know that the ugly Christmas sweater trend got its start over a hundred years ago? Or that American soldiers in WWI had beef with amateur knitters? We cover all that and more, including the most expensive sweater ever sold and delightful facts about sweater-loving celebrities like Mr. Rogers, Weezer, and… Sting? Look, if this episode doesn’t give you the warm fuzzies, we don’t know what will.
 

Show us your best, weirdest, and/or ugliest sweaters! Tag us on Instagram @parttimegenius.
 
 

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9 Warm, Cozy Facts About Sweaters

People have been writing by hand for thousands of years—ever since the Mesopotamians started doodling in cuneiform. That means there’s a vast, inky world for Will and Mango to explore, from the difference between scribes and scriveners to the best feathers for quill pens. They also reveal a shocking truth about fountain pens, and discover all the ways handwriting benefits our brains. (Yes, we recognize the irony of typing that.)
 
Photo by Lucia Macedo via Unsplash. Thanks, Lucia!
 

Have a favorite pen? Upload a photo and tag us on Instagram @parttimegenius.
 
 

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What's the Story Behind Our Favorite Pens?

Whether you're trying to analyze your sled dogs' athletic performance, get your pooch to stop barking at the mailman or simply trying to get an extra year or two with man's best friend, the newest doggy technologies have a solve for you and your very best boy. 

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The Latest Advances in Doggy Science

Want to know why Indonesian postal workers have one of the hardest jobs in the world? Or why the country is the best place to find new bird species? Or why it's an honor when someone makes you a tall glass of jammu? From the best types of fabric to throw into a volcano to make it stop erupting, to how to track a super-short Sasquatch, Will and Mango scour the country's 17,000+ islands to bring you Indonesia's best facts. 

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Let's all go to... Indonesia!

Want to know why George Washington's eggnog was so potent? Or how new immigrants partied on Ellis Island? Or what was the wildest party to ever take place at West Point? Or the very particular way that Thomas Edison changed the way we make shrubbery more festive? You're in luck! Will and Mango get the lowdown on just a few of the historical parties they weren't invited to. 

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Riots, Donkeys and Pretty Lights: History's Most Memorable Holiday Parties!

Grab a mug of cocoa and hit play already! From Renaissance snow angels to an award-winning trick for never slipping in the snow, Will and Mango have a special wintery mix ready for your snow day.

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Fan Favorite: 9 Snowy Facts to get you through your Snow Day

Can smiling during running improve your marathon time? Will an old age app help you make better resolutions? And is there real science behind the Coffee Nap? Will and Mango examine big and little ways to improve your 2018, including why you'll probably need to carry a plunger around with you in the New Year. Featuring Mango's wife, Lizzie.

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Fan Favorite: Easy Tricks to Improve Your Life this New Year!

Turns out, the history of Board Games isn't as simple as just passing Go and collecting $200. From the surprising way Abraham Lincoln's beard changed Milton Bradley's career, to the socialist board game that took off on Ivy League campuses, to the ancient Sumerian board game you can still play, this episode Will and Mango go wild game hunting and come back with plenty of stories to tell. 

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What are the World's Oldest Board Games?

From Mark Twain's bizarre hatred of Jane Austen, to the heated argument that launched two great grocery stores, to the strange prank that ended two comedians' legendary partnership, this episode, Mango and super-producer Mary go looking for historical beef and find plenty of sizzle!

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Where's the Beef? 9 of History's Greatest Feuds

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. 
 
Photo via Sung Jin Cho on Unsplash. Thanks, Jin!
 
Next time you're on an elevator staring at your phone, follow us on Instagram @parttimegenius! 
Learn more about your ad choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

PTG Classic: How Did P. T. Barnum Trick the World Into Riding Elevators?

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