OOO, AHHHH! The history of fireworks

Trick or treating is a fun time. You go around ringing door bells, dressed in a costume, and you get candy! But how did this sweet tradition get started? Turns out it has roots that go back hundreds of years! Join Joy and co-host Veronica as they trace the history of Halloween fr ...  Show more

Molly Bloom as a debater? It’s true! This is a sneak peek at a bonus episode we just shared in our Smarty Pass feed. Molly debates Sanden in a Smash Boom Best showdown between Cheetahs and Sloths. To hear the full, ad-free episode, ⁠join Smarty Pass⁠. You also get access to all t ...  Show more

Whether it’s lighting up your town's 4th of July celebration, or announcing the New Year over your city’s skyscrapers, every firework started as an invention. Just how was it invented you ask? Tune in to find out! 

Fireworks are a staple of celebrations around the world, but where does this invention come from and what’s the basic chemistry of their combustion? In this classic episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe light the fuse and find out. (originally published 6/23/2020)See ...  Show more

In episode 249, we get curious about fireworks for the Buehner family from Carbondale, Illinois, Violet from Oceanside, California, and Aylin and Brandon from Boise, Idaho.  We learn why we use fireworks on the 4th of July, why we celebrate American independence on the 4th of ...