Lateral with Tom Scott 147: The blank homework
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Aug 1, 2025 Alice Spagnola, a maker known for her quirky creations, joins frequent collaborators Evan and Caitlin, who are celebrated for their inventive projects. They dive into the humorous world of crafting wooden crocs and ergonomic laptops. The trio chats about unexpected connections between national flags and branding, as well as historical wartime inventions like a clever soldier’s life-saving device. Laughs are shared over Star Wars geography mix-ups and the playful nuances of knitting terminology, making this conversation both enlightening and entertaining.
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Flag Painting Quirk on Airplanes
- Air Mali's airplanes featured the flag of Guinea due to how flags are painted on planes facing forward. - Their similar tricolor flags are inverse, so one side looks like the other's flag when painted as flown on a staff.
The Drip Rifle Saved Lives
- In 1915, a soldier built the drip rifle using tin cans to mimic rifle firing for evacuation cover. - The device's timed rifle shots saved tens of thousands by fooling the enemy into thinking troops were still present.
Chewbacca Mistaken for Bigfoot
- Chewbacca was protected on Star Wars' forest moon shooting scenes by crew in high-vis. - This was to prevent Bigfoot hunters mistaking him for the mythical creature and harming him.