From the Vault: The Bonsai Tree

In this invention-themed episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe discuss the origins of the humble dog biscuit or “scooby snack,” from discussions of dog bread in Ancient Rome to the Victorian origin of dog cake.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. 

So what exactly IS cotton candy and how does this curious confectionary concoction tie into other culinary traditions, including China’s Dragon’s beard candy? Find out in this episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind. (part 2 of 2) (originally published 2/4/2025)See omnystudio.com/list ...  Show more

For much of history, tree canopies were pretty much completely ignored by science. It was as if researchers said collectively, "It's just going to be empty up there, and we've got our hands full studying the trees down here! So why bother?!"

But then, around the mid-198 ...

For thousands of years people have been taking normal trees and forcing them into miniature. Learn all about the history and art of this strangely engrossing pastime in this classic episode.

There are trees all over the U.S. (and the world) grown from seeds that orbited the Moon. Learn about NASA's moon trees in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/nasa-moon-trees.htm Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.ihea ...  Show more

Spoiler alert: The answer is probably 'climate change' -- but some of the world's oldest and hardiest baobab trees are dying, and researchers aren't entirely sure why. Learn more in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.c ...  Show more