Lateral with Tom Scott 90: Manhole Easter eggs
Jun 28, 2024
Guest Karen Chu from 'Good Job Brain' joins in discussing Rubik's Cube speed records, manhole cover designs, NFL whistle mysteries, and the impact of food names on consumer perception. The podcast also delves into Latin species names humorously connecting knitting to a gory process.
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Why People Said "Prunes" For Photos
- Early photography etiquette led people to say "prunes" instead of smiling in 1840s portraits to hide poor teeth.
- Cultural norms and dental health shaped how subjects posed for long photographic exposures.
Rubik's Record Overtaken Same Day
- Keaton Ellis reportedly solved a 3x3 Rubik's Cube in 5.09s at an official event but his record wasn't recognized.
- Later the same day Lucas Etter set 4.90s and became the official record holder.
Manhole Covers As Mini City Maps
- Oklahoma City manhole covers use a raised city-center map as their ornate design.
- A painted white dot on each cover marks the "you are here" location on that map.