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Twice a year, many countries move their clocks by an hour. But why? It turns out humans have been messing with minutes and hours for centuries. Join Joy and co-host Rehema as they explore the history of Daylight Saving, from a bug hunter who wanted more daylight for collecting insects to a World War where every hour of light was precious.Find our Brains On episode about the science behind Daylight Saving Time here or wherever you get your podcasts!Click here to read a transcript of this episode. ​​​​Want to support the show? Join Smarty Pass to listen to ad-free episodes or donate! See…

Forever Ago

by Brains On Universe · English · Kids & Family

Brains On Universe presents Forever Ago®, a history show for the whole family! Every episode looks into the surprising and fascinating history of things we think are ordinary, but they’re not -- like ice cream flavors, video games, baths and more. We make learning about the past fun while teaching l

More from Forever Ago

  1. 29 Apr 2026 · 31 min

    Why did it take so long for the U.S. to pick its national anthem?

    It’s super common for a country to have a national anthem. That’s an official song that is sung at special events and is supposed to bring people together. The United States of America’s anthem is called The Star Spangled Banner. But it took a long time, and a lot of contests, to choose that song. Join Joy and co-host Freya as they learn the history of this famously hard to sing song. Plus they tackle an all new First Things First. Guest: Billy Coleman, Associate Director of the Kinder Institute, and historian who studies early American music and politics. Click here to read a transcript of…

  2. 22 Apr 2026 · 32 min

    From Skibidi to Slay: The stories behind slang

    Skibidi, rizz and slay are examples of slang. Slang words are fun, zippy terms that usually spread from one small group of people, to the entire world. This week Joy and co-host Dax explore the unexpected history of a few different slang words, from a recluse poet, to the lively ballroom scene in New York City. Plus a First Things First to win mad aura. Libbidity gibbletz, you won’t wanna miss this!Click here to read a transcript of this episode. Want to support the show? Join Smarty Pass to listen to ad-free episodes or donate!

  3. 15 Apr 2026 · 30 min

    The Titanic was called unsinkable, so why did it sink?

    The Titanic sank only four days into its voyage. Even though the ship was lost to the ocean, the history and stories survived. Join Joy and her co-host Juniper as they find out how this mega ship was built, hear some theories on why it sank, and learn how the history of this voyage was preserved by dedicated historians. Featured Expert: Ross Mumford is a Titanic researcher, historian and educator. He currently manages Titanic: the Exhibit. Click here to read a transcript of this episode. Want to support the show? Join Smarty Pass to listen to ad-free episodes or donate!

  4. S8 · E4 · 1 Apr 2026 · 25 min

    From sickness to sweetness: the story of Candy Land

    Candy Land is iconic. The cute characters, the simple rules, it’s the perfect game for kids of all ages. But it all started as a way to cheer up children stuck in the hospital. Learn how this game was invented when a teacher needed a way to help kids recovering from Polio. Plus, Joy and co-host Ava take a Candy Land quiz with Gumpy, the gum sculpture that came to life.Click here to read a transcript of this episode. Want to support the show? Join Smarty Pass to listen to ad-free episodes or donate! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  5. S8 · E3 · 25 Mar 2026 · 26 min

    How diamonds became the symbol of love

    Today, it’s almost cliche to give someone a diamond ring to prove your love. But 100 years ago, that wasn’t the case. Back then, diamonds were seen as luxury items for the rich and famous. But thanks to some creative advertisers (and a whole lot of extra diamonds), these sparkly jewels became the symbol of love in much of the world. Join Joy and co-host Diya as they explore the enchanting history of diamonds. Click here to read a transcript of this episode. Want to support the show? Join Smarty Pass to listen to ad-free episodes or donate! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  6. S8 · E2 · 18 Mar 2026 · 25 min

    Why are they called Teddy Bears?

    Do you have a favorite stuffed animal? Maybe it’s a unicorn, or an axolotl, or a classic stuffed bear. Whatever it is, you can thank a former U.S. President for helping make stuffies a thing. Join Joy and co-host Luke as they learn about the origins of the Teddy Bear and find out about a stuffed possum that should’ve been the next big toy craze, but never caught on. Plus another round of First Things First.Click here to read a transcript of this episode. Want to support the show? Join Smarty Pass to listen to ad-free episodes or donate! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  7. 7 Oct 2026 · 39 min

    What's the history of chocolate?

    Chocolate. You know it. You love it. You can’t get enough of it. Today, we think of chocolate as a sweet treat, but for most of human history, it was actually a bitter drink. This week Joy and co-host Camila go coo-coo for cocoa history and learn how indigenous people in Mesoamerica were the first to create the chocolate craze. All that and an extra chocolatey First Things First. Break me off a piece of that sweet sweet history!Click here to read a transcript of this episode. Want to support the show? Join Smarty Pass to listen to ad-free episodes or donate!

  8. 5 Oct 2026 · 9 min

    Sneak peek: The history of pineapple pizza

    This is a sneak peak of a bonus episode available to Smarty Pass members. It’s a follow up to our Forever Ago episode on the history of pizza. In this one, we look at the man who made pineapple on pizza a thing. Plus, we tell the story of how pineapple pizza created drama between two nations. To hear the whole, ad-free episode, sign up for Smarty Pass at smartypass.org.

  9. 30 Sep 2026 · 34 min

    More slang words: Aura, OK and glitch

    This week Joy and co-host Xenia are back with another slang episode that’s the pig’s elbow (trust us, it’s a good thing). Learn about how “aura” went from meaning a cool breeze, to getting cool points– and how one of our most common slang words started as a typo joke in a newspaper. And don’t forget, a swaggy new First Things First!Click here to read a transcript of this episode. Want to support the show? Join Smarty Pass to listen to ad-free episodes or donate!

  10. 23 Sep 2026 · 33 min

    Wizard of Oz mystery: Who stole the ruby slippers?

    We’re not done with Wizard of Oz history yet! Today it’s the tale of Dorothy’s famous ruby red slippers. A pair of these famous movie props went missing years back, and it took the FBI and local authorities working together to get them back. Join Joy and co-host Sky as they investigate this case, and play a game of First Things First.Click here to read a transcript of this episode. Want to support the show? Join Smarty Pass to listen to ad-free episodes or donate!

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