The Weirdest Thing I Learned This Week Rat Sommeliers, Pneumatic Tube Flirting, Why Periods Hurt
Apr 23, 2025
Kate Downey, host of 'Cramped,' dives into the mystery of menstrual pain, shedding light on the surprising gaps in our understanding. She shares how systemic issues impact women’s healthcare and explores innovative pain management strategies. Meanwhile, the hosts lighten the mood with clever tales of rat sommeliers showcasing their wine expertise and the quirky history of pneumatic tubes used for flirting and communication. The blend of humor and serious topics makes for a curious and entertaining discussion.
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Modern Uses of Pneumatic Tubes
- Pneumatic tubes remain fast, eco-friendly delivery systems used in hospitals and trash collection.
- They reduce carbon emissions significantly by replacing traditional vehicle-based transport.
Pneumatic Tube Flirting in Berlin
- Berlin nightclubs in the 1920s used pneumatic tubes for patrons to flirt via messages.
- Tubes styled as golden snakes allowed sending cheeky notes and gifts across tables.
Rats as Wine Tasters
- Trained lab rats successfully distinguished between Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc wines by smell.
- Some rats showed advanced olfactory discrimination suggesting sophisticated scent processing.