In this podcast, the hosts discuss fizzy drinks and the invention of Fanta, the accidental discovery of carbonated water, the invention of drink packages and unusual ingredients, the achievements of Fomega and Marta in women's football, using a bone or frozen poop to escape a freezer, the secret butcher language called 'Wretched Hub Clat', and the first wireless headset microphone made for Kate Bush's tour.
The invention of fizzy drinks was influenced by the use of pig bladder in the carbonation process and the introduction of the soda stream.
For Miga, a Brazilian footballer, defied restrictions on women playing football and competed in an impressive seven Olympic Games.
Meat judging competitions require participants to evaluate different aspects of meat, often in frigid temperatures, and winners often pursue careers in the food and livestock industry.
Deep dives
The First Fizzy Drink Tasted Like Urine
The first carbonated drink, invented by Joseph Priestley, tasted like urine due to the use of a pig's bladder in the carbonation process. The taste was discovered when a friend of Priestley's described it as urine-like, leading to improvements in the carbonation technique. The invention of the soda stream by John Nuth also played a significant role in the popularity of fizzy drinks.
For Miga: The Legendary Brazilian Footballer
For Miga is a Brazilian footballer who holds the record as the only athlete to have competed in a team sport in seven Olympic Games. Born at a time when women were not allowed to play football in Brazil, she witnessed the evolution of women's football and took part in every Olympics where women's football was included. For Miga's remarkable career spanned from 1996 to 2021, and she remains an inspiration for female athletes worldwide.
The World of Meat Judging
Meat judging is a highly specialized competition in which participants evaluate different aspects of meat, such as quality, cuts, and presentation. It is a rigorous and demanding process that often takes place in frigid temperatures and requires quick decision-making and critical reasoning skills. Meat judging competitions are common in the United States, and winners often go on to work in the food and livestock industry. The use of secret butcher languages, such as "butcher talk" in Australia, adds a touch of intrigue to this unique world.
Women's Football is More Exciting to Watch than Men's
A recent study conducted by a Swedish sports company called Spee-de-o revealed that women's football is more enjoyable to watch than men's. By comparing the playing styles in the women's euros and the men's world cup, the study found that women's teams are less risk-averse and more aggressive in their play, making longer passes compared to the men's teams. The study suggests that the women's game offers a more inclusive and positive atmosphere for spectators.
Competitive Meat Judging as a College Sport
In American schools, there is a sport called competitive meat judging, where college students practice and compete in judging various qualities of meat carcasses. Students are evaluated on factors such as yield, fat content, consumer experience, and age of the carcass, all based on sight alone. Despite its peculiar nature, competitive meat judging is an intercollegiate sport, attracting talent scouts, and students train intensively for the competition.
