Brainstuff

You've probably heard of the beloved character Thomas the Tank Engine, but have you ever wondered what makes him a tank engine? Discover what sets Thomas apart from his locomotive pals in this podcast from HowStuffWorks.com. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Blueprinting, which has been around since 1842, is a common way to reproduce an architectural drawing. Tune in to learn more about the complex chemical processes that make blueprints blue -- and white -- in this podcast from HowStuffWorks.com. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Which came first -- the chicken or the egg? Listen in as Marshall Brain gives the technical answer -- and takes a look at the science behind eggshell formation -- in this podcast from HowStuffWorks.com. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When people fire guns into the air in a celebratory manner, those bullets have to go somewhere. Find out how high fired bullets can go -- and why they can be dangerous -- in this podcast from HowStuffWorks.com. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

organisms. Find out why pressure-treated lumber holds up better -- and how it works -- in this podcast from HowStuffWorks.com. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Although Mexican jumping beans don't actually jump, they're definitely more active than your average bean. Find out how a moth makes them move in this podcast from HowStuffWorks.com. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hybrid cars combine electric motors and smaller gasoline engines in an attempt to increase efficiency. Find out exactly how they work in this podcast from HowStuffWorks.com. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An Indiglo watch works a lot like a neon sign, getting its signature "glow" from electroluminescence. Tune in to hear Marshall Brain explain the finer points of Indiglo watch technology in this podcast from HowStuffWorks.com. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

NASCAR engines are built for maximum efficiency, and they're much more powerful than regular engines. Marshall Brain discusses five ways in which NASCAR engines differ from regular ones in this episode. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Torpedo engines rely on special methods of propulsion to operate underwater. Find out what they are in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Vacuums and light combine to power a Crooke's radiometer -- but how does it work? Listen in and learn more about the mechanisms inside the radiometer in this podcast from HowStuffWorks.com. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In countries like the United States, people have a superstitious fear of one particular date: Friday the 13th. But why? In this episode, Marshall discusses the two main fears that have fueled the Friday the 13th superstitions, as well as their origins. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Your computer's hard disk stores all your information, but what happens if it gets damaged or dies? In this episode, Marshall Brain explains why it's important to back up your hard disk and weighs the advantages and disadvantages of three backup methods. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bullet-resistant glass, commonly referred to as ""bulletproof,"" is a special type of glass designed to resist bullets. Tune in to this episode to learn how different types of bullet-resistant glass work. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You've probably heard of tear gas before, but did you know that Mace is a form of it? Learn more about the three commonly used types of tear gas -- how they work and what they're used for -- in this podcast from HowStuffWorks.com. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hard disk drives and connections have been getting faster and faster. In this episode, Marshall discusses the evolution of the hard disk and the shockingly fast drives available today. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Some clothes have tags that say "wash before wearing" or "wash separately." Find out why it's sometimes a good idea to wash new clothes before you wear them in this episode. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today's cell phones are amazingly compact, complex devices that provide a wide array of services. Discover the origins of these technological wonders, and the technology that makes them work, in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Toasting is a tasty way to increase the durability of bread, and automatic toasters are a convenient way to make toast. Learn more about the chemical change that turns bread into toast and the mechanism behind toasters in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Diesel engines are more efficient than engines that run on gasoline, yet they've never really caught on in passenger cars in the United States. Discover the many reasons why diesel engines aren't the norm in this episode of BrainStuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.