The Library of Alexandra

There’s something rotten in the cows of Denmark. And Minnesota. And Wisconsin. And Idaho. What could cause a previously thriving herd of majestic dairy cattle to stop drinking water and start drinking … urine? A Danish farmer calls a special investigator, who takes one look at hi ...  Show more

In an episode first aired back in 2025 on our sister show, Terrestrials, we take you on a musical journey all about beavers. Few mammals have a bigger positive impact on the planet than the beaver. With its bright orange buck teeth, the creature is an expert engineer that brings ...  Show more

This Valentine's Day we could have just brought you some sappy love stories from science's past. But instead we offer you three tales of lust, loneliness, betrayal, pettiness, and not one, but two beheadings.

Hosts: <a href="file:///profile/alexis-j-ped ...

Sean Illing speaks with Matthew Jones, historian of science and technology, and co-author (with data scientist Chris Wiggins) of the new book How Data Happened. They discuss the surprisingly long history of data from the 18th century to today, in service of explaining how we woun ...  Show more

Mary Somerville (1780-1872) chose to study science and mathematics, even when society tried to tell her she was only good for keeping house. She found her own way in a world dominated by men. And became a self-taught preeminent astronomer and mathematician. Special thanks to Merc ...  Show more

Become a Womanniac!: https://glow.fm/womannicaThis episode is brought to you by Sakara. Sakara is offering our listeners 20% off their order when they go to https://sakara.com/encyclopedia or enter code ENCYCLOPEDIA at checkout.Every weekday, listeners explore the trials, tragedi ...  Show more