The Liquid Propaganda

This week back in 1949, an American judge sentenced Mildred Gillars – better known as “Axis Sally” – to prison. Learn about the All-American gal who became the seductive voice of German propaganda during WWII… then take a swig of bitter drink with a deceptively sweet surface.


The Lobster/Bee Connection

While listening to last week's show, something rattled in my brain when Rico and mead-maker guest William Bostwick compared boiling honey bees... to boiling lobsters. From the depths of my vast catalog of interesting-but-typically-useless food knowledge, I remembered a lobster/bee connection.


The B3

This week in 1899, Bayer Corp. patented a little pill they called “aspirin.” For a healthy heart, listen to the history of it’s creation once a day, then take two of these and call us in the morning.


3 Fruit Outcasts

High school, popularity and… citrus? A story of fruit rejection and redemption that John Hughes would have given his seal of approval.


If You Push the Button…

This week in 1961, at the height of the cold War, the U.S. created “Operation: Looking Glass” to oversee its nuclear response from above… should the worst happen on the ground.


The First Rap Hit Record

This week back in 1980, “Rapper’s Delight,” by the Sugarhill Gang, became the first top 40 rap hit ever. Learn about the song’s intrepid producer and its bizarre origins, and then order up this future hit at the bar:


Edsel

This week back in 1960, the last Edsel automobile rolled off Ford’s assembly line, marking the end of one of the worst blunders in automotive design. Learn why Edsel became a synonym for disaster, and then try not to wreck yourself with this stiff drink from Motor City.


The Swede ’67

This week in 1967, all at once, Swedish traffic moved from the left to the right side of the road. The massive campaign surrounding “Dagen H” produced cultural touchstones like the contest-winning song “Keep to the Right, Svensson!” and underwear emblazoned with H logos. Suffice it to say, the move went smoothly. Toast its success with this nostalgic cocktail.


Under the Desk

This week back in 1835, the fledgling newspaper The Sun started publishing a sensational series of stories about the discovery of life… on the moon. Hear about how New Yorkers bought outright lies about lunar unicorns and man-bats, then reach for this liquid tribute to reckless journalism.