Podcast · 27 episodes
The Origin of Things
About this show
The full history and science behind one everyday object nobody thinks to question — from paperclips to zippers, told by someone obsessively curious.
All 27 episodes
Latest 5 September 2026
Paperclip Wars: The Secret History of the Bent Wire on Your Desk
Episode 27 · 12 min · 5 September 2026
Unraveling the wild, competitive world behind the humble paperclip and why its true story matters today
Ever wondered about the humble paperclip? This episode delves into the astonishing, often contentious history and clever engineering behind the bent wire holding your documents together. Prepare to uncover rivalries, patents, and the surprising science that transformed a simple concept into an indispensable tool, forever changing how you view this everyday desk item.
Zipped Up: The Wild, Obsessive Saga Behind the Zipper
Episode 26 · 11 min · 29 August 2026
From failed boot clasps to fashion staple—unraveling the eccentric inventors and science that sealed the deal.
Ever wondered about the humble zipper, that ubiquitous fastening device we all take for granted? Prepare for a deep dive into its surprising origins, ingenious engineering, and the fascinating figures who battled to bring it to life. You'll never look at your jacket the same way again after uncovering the wild, obsessive saga behind the zipper, gaining a profound appreciation for its intricate design and enduring impact on fashion and function.
Unraveling the Secret Lives of Everyday Things: Obsessive Histories Unbuttoned
Episode 25 · 11 min · 22 August 2026
Each week, dive deep into the wild origins and hidden science of objects you never thought to question
Dive into the fascinating world behind the objects we use daily, exploring their hidden histories and scientific secrets with obsessive enthusiasm. This series uncovers the surprising stories and innovations behind familiar items, revealing why they matter and how they've shaped our lives. Each episode promises a deep, engaging journey that will change the way you see the ordinary—because even the simplest objects have extraordinary tales to tell.
Unspooling the Secret Life of Scotch Tape: From Insult to Icon
Episode 24 · 10 min · 15 August 2026
A deep-dive into the wild, sticky origins of tape—told by someone who once spent three weeks on the paperclip
Ever wondered about the sticky saga behind that ubiquitous roll of Scotch Tape? This episode dives deep into its surprising origins, from a humble masking tape mishap to becoming a household staple that revolutionized everything from gift wrapping to industrial repairs. Prepare to uncover the ingenious science of adhesion and the human stories behind an invention so pervasive, you'll never look at a dispenser the same way again.
Obsessive Origins: The Pencil’s Secret Past, From Camel Hair to Graphite Wars
Episode 23 · 10 min · 8 August 2026
Dive deep each week into the bizarre science and forgotten history behind everyday objects you never question
Ever wondered about the humble pencil? This episode dives deep into its astonishing evolution, tracing its origins from ancient camel hair brushes to the dramatic "graphite wars" that shaped its modern form. Discover how this seemingly simple tool revolutionized everything from art and science to everyday communication, and why its intricate history is far more fascinating than you ever imagined. You'll never look at a pencil the same way again.
Unbuttoning History: The Surprising Origins of Everyday Objects
Episode 22 · 10 min · 1 August 2026
Dive deep each week as our obsessive host uncovers the wild backstories and science behind the items we overlook daily.
Join us as we delve into the fascinating histories and scientific stories behind everyday objects we often overlook. From the humble paperclip to the common button, this series uncovers their unexpected origins and cultural significance. Perfect for curious minds, you'll gain new appreciation for the objects that quietly shape our daily lives and understand how their innovations impact society over time.
Stapled Through Time: The Obsessive Origins of Everyday Objects
Episode 21 · 11 min · 25 July 2026
Unraveling the royal beginnings and hidden science of the humble stapler, one week at a time
Dive into the fascinating history and science behind everyday objects in this captivating series. Each episode unravels the surprising origins and evolution of items we often overlook, revealing their significance and impact on society. Perfect for curious minds, you'll gain a newfound appreciation for the mundane as you learn how these objects shaped our world and continue to influence our daily lives.
Obsessed Objects: Unraveling the Secret Lives of Everyday Things
Episode 20 · 12 min · 18 July 2026
This week: Ballpoint Pens—From Leather Markers to Ubiquitous Icons, the Twisted Tale of a Simple Tool
"Obsessed Objects" invites you on a weekly deep dive into the surprising origins and intricate science of items you never question. Join your host, a self-proclaimed expert who unearths the untold stories behind everything from the paperclip to the zipper, revealing their profound impact on daily life. Prepare to have your perspective shifted and discover the hidden wonders woven into the fabric of our world, gaining a newfound appreciation for human ingenuity.
Twisted Origins: The Surprising History of the Corkscrew
Episode 19 · 11 min · 11 July 2026
From Musket Tools to Wine Openers—Unpacking the Science and Stories Behind Everyday Objects
Dive into the fascinating world of the corkscrew, an everyday object with a surprisingly complex history. This episode uncovers its origins, evolution, and the science behind its design, revealing why this simple tool has persisted through centuries. Perfect for curious minds, you'll come away with a deeper appreciation for how such a common item embodies innovation and cultural shifts over time.
Unmatched Histories: The Strange Evolution of Everyday Objects
Episode 18 · 11 min · 4 July 2026
From deadly matches to humble erasers, discover the wild science and secrets behind items we take for granted.
Dive into the fascinating world of everyday objects with 'Unmatched Histories,' where each episode uncovers the surprising origins and scientific developments behind items we often take for granted. From the humble paperclip to modern gadgets, this series reveals their unexpected stories, cultural significance, and transformative innovations. Perfect for curious minds, listeners will gain a newfound appreciation for the objects shaping our daily lives and the remarkable histories hidden within the mundane.
Erased From Memory: The Unlikely Origins of the Eraser
Episode 17 · 10 min · 27 June 2026
Dive deep into the history, science, and serendipity behind the everyday eraser—told with obsessive enthusiasm.
Ever wonder how humanity corrected its mistakes before the ubiquitous eraser? Dive deep into the fascinating, often overlooked history and surprising scientific evolution of this humble tool. This episode unearths the bizarre predecessors, accidental discoveries, and chemical innovations that shaped the eraser, revealing how a simple rubber block became indispensable to communication and creativity. Prepare to have your understanding of this everyday object completely rewritten.
Unraveling the Paperclip: The Secret Life of Everyday Objects
Episode 16 · 10 min · 20 June 2026
Obsessively exploring the surprising history and science behind the things you never thought to question
Dive deep into
Unraveling the Fork: The Scandalous Saga of a Tabletop Revolution
Episode 15 · 14 min · 13 June 2026
Everyday objects, extraordinary origins—discover the overlooked history and science behind what’s right under your nose.
Everyday objects, extraordinary origins—discover the overlooked history and science behind what’s right under your nose.
Unzipped Origins: The Bizarre, Bumpy History of the Everyday Zipper
Episode 14 · 11 min · 6 June 2026
Explore the obsessive science and forgotten failures behind the zipper—an invention we almost never used.
Explore the obsessive science and forgotten failures behind the zipper—an invention we almost never used.
Unraveling the Ordinary: The Hidden Histories of Everyday Objects
Episode 13 · 14 min · 30 May 2026
Obsessively exploring the overlooked science and stories behind the things you use without a second thought
Obsessively exploring the overlooked science and stories behind the things you use without a second thought
Unraveling the Ordinary: The Obsessive Origins of Everyday Objects
Episode 12 · 13 min · 23 May 2026
Dive deep into the wild history and hidden science behind the things you never thought to question—one object at a time.
Dive deep into the wild history and hidden science behind the things you never thought to question—one object at a time.
Bright Ideas: The Obsessive Origins of the Lightbulb
Episode 11 · 12 min · 16 May 2026
Unraveling the tangled, century-long history and science behind the everyday objects we never question
Ever wondered about the incandescent miracle that chases away the dark? Join us as we meticulously unravel the fascinating, often forgotten, history and intricate science behind the humble lightbulb. From ancient flames to Edison's relentless pursuit, discover the brilliant minds and countless failures that illuminated our world, forever changing how we live, work, and perceive time.
Unraveling the Ordinary: The Obsessive Origins of Everyday Objects
Episode 10 · 12 min · 9 May 2026
Dive deep into the hidden history and science behind mundane inventions, from the paperclip to the lightbulb.
Dive deep into the hidden history and science behind mundane inventions, from the paperclip to the lightbulb.
Unbuttoned: The Surprising Origins and Science of Everyday Things
Episode 9 · 10 min · 2 May 2026
From seashells to shirts—discover the hidden histories of objects you never thought to question.
From seashells to shirts—discover the hidden histories of objects you never thought to question.
Stapled Through Time: The Secret Life of Everyday Objects
Episode 8 · 10 min · 25 April 2026
Uncover the wild, obsessive histories and hidden science behind the tools we never think to question.
Uncover the wild, obsessive histories and hidden science behind the tools we never think to question.
Unraveling the Pin: The Untold Saga of Everyday Objects
Episode 7 · 12 min · 18 April 2026
Dive deep into the quirky origins and science behind the things we never question, one obsession at a time.
Dive deep into the quirky origins and science behind the things we never question, one obsession at a time.
Unbristled Truths: The Obsessive History of the Toothbrush
Episode 6 · 12 min · 11 April 2026
From bone shards to nylon bristles, discover the wild evolution of the tool you trust with your teeth.
From bone shards to nylon bristles, discover the wild evolution of the tool you trust with your teeth.
Unraveling the Ordinary: The Obsessive Origins of Everyday Objects
Episode 5 · 8 min · 6 April 2026
From safety pins to paperclips, discover the wild stories and science behind the things you never question.
A history-of-invention story about Walter Hunt's safety pin, tracing how a small wire design born from a fifteen-dollar debt became an everyday object made at enormous scale.
Unraveling the Paperclip: The Untold Saga of Everyday Objects
Episode 4 · 3 min · 2 April 2026
Dive deep into the quirky origins, myths, and science behind the things you never thought to question.
A history of the paperclip’s contested origins and its later life as a Norwegian resistance symbol. The episode separates the powerful wartime story from the patent record and asks why a small object carries so much meaning.
Unzipped: The Surprisingly Twisted History of the Zipper
Episode 3 · 3 min · 2 April 2026
Dive deep into the invention, failure, and triumph of the zipper—one everyday object you never questioned
A compact invention history beginning with Whitcomb Judson’s unreliable 1893 clasp-locker patent. The story follows the failed early design, the money it lost, and the engineering changes that made the zipper work.
Obsessive Origins: The Untold Stories of Everyday Things
Episode 2 · 3 min · 2 April 2026
Each week, unravel the wild history and science of overlooked objects—from paperclips to zippers—with passionate, deep-dive narration.
A history of the zipper, from Elias Howe’s overlooked patent and Whitcomb Judson’s unreliable clasp to Gideon Sundback’s self-correcting teeth. The episode traces how a novelty became an everyday mechanism for privacy and access.
The Ballpoint Pen: A Not-So-Smooth Revolution
Episode 1 · 4 min · 2 April 2026
Unraveling the wild, leaky history and science of the ballpoint pen—from disastrous debuts to everyday essential.
The story of the ballpoint pen’s chaotic American debut, when shoppers paid a premium for pens that leaked and skipped. It traces the failures behind a familiar tool and the engineering changes that made it dependable.
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