This week we learn how Iceland got the wrong translation of Dracula and how America's thirst for guano led the government to enact an insane law in 1856. A listener email gives us the sweats.

Episode Tabs:

The Literary Mystery of the Icelandic Dracula by Valur Grettison

https://grapevine.is/mag/2022/05/09/the-literary-mystery-of-the-icelandic-dracula/

How Fertilizer Madness Sparked a Turd War and Turned Guano Into Gold

https://www.thedailyscoop.com/news/retail-business/how-fertilizer-madness-sparked-turd-war-and-turned-guano-gold

Listener Tabs:

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/lindsay-hoyle-clement-attlee-house-of-commons-bengal-commons-b2580463.html

https://www.vox.com/even-better/24156471/whole-body-deodorants-lume-axe-sweat

Email your closed tab submissions to: [email protected]

Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/500OpenTabs

500 Open Roads (Google Maps episode guide): https://maps.app.goo.gl/Tg9g2HcUaFAzXGbw7

Continue the conversation by joining us on Discord! https://discord.gg/8px5RJHk7a

SUPPORT THE SHOW and get 40% off an annual subscription to Nebula by going to https://nebula.tv/500opentabs

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week we learn about the discovery of secret tunnels under Los Angeles built by ancient lizard people and how Ann Hodges was struck by a meteorite while napping. A listener email reveals the real life inspiration of Nacho Libre.

Episode Tabs:

The Underground Catacombs of L.A.'s Lizard People

https://lamag.com/news/citydig-the-underground-catacombs-of-las-lizard-people

For the Only Person Ever Hit by a Meteorite, the Real Trouble Began Later

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/only-person-ever-hit-meteorite-real-trouble-began-later-180961238/

Listener Tabs:

https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/al-ralph-capone-dairy-industry-milk-cheese

https://mymodernmet.com/fray-tormenta-nacho-libre/

Email your closed tab submissions to: [email protected]

Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/500OpenTabs

500 Open Roads (Google Maps episode guide): https://maps.app.goo.gl/Tg9g2HcUaFAzXGbw7

Continue the conversation by joining us on Discord! https://discord.gg/8px5RJHk7a

SUPPORT THE SHOW and get 40% off an annual subscription to Nebula by going to https://nebula.tv/500opentabs

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On this very special episode we KEEP IT JOSIE by learning how Rome had 5 different emperors in the year 193 and what makes a colossal squid versus a giant squid. A listener email explains why southern Californians always use "the" when naming freeways.

Episode Tabs:

Year of the Five Emperors

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Year_of_the_Five_Emperors

Is This the First Recorded Footage of a Colossal Squid Living Freely?

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/is-this-the-first-recorded-footage-of-a-colossal-squid-living-freely-180984482/

Listener Tabs:

https://www.pbssocal.org/shows/lost-la/the-5-the-101-the-405-why-southern-californians-love-saying-the-before-freeway-numbers

https://nymag.com/movies/profiles/57863/

Email your closed tab submissions to: [email protected]

Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/500OpenTabs

500 Open Roads (Google Maps episode guide): https://maps.app.goo.gl/Tg9g2HcUaFAzXGbw7

Continue the conversation by joining us on Discord! https://discord.gg/8px5RJHk7a

SUPPORT THE SHOW and get 40% off an annual subscription to Nebula by going to https://nebula.tv/500opentabs

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week we are joined by special guest Alex Brodt as we learn about the Groom of the Stool, how Rick Perry's cousin raised the world's oldest cat, and the brief period in time when Art was an Olympic sport. A listener email explains how luggage handlers are just like us.

Episode Tabs:

Groom of the Stool

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Groom_of_the_Stool

How to Raise a 165-Year-Old Cat

https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/how-to-raise-a-165-year-old-cat

Remember When the Olympics Used to Have an Art Competition? No?

https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2012/07/remember-when-the-olympics-used-to-have-an-art-competition-no/260355/

Email your closed tab submissions to: [email protected]

Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/500OpenTabs

500 Open Roads (Google Maps episode guide): https://maps.app.goo.gl/Tg9g2HcUaFAzXGbw7

Continue the conversation by joining us on Discord! https://discord.gg/8px5RJHk7a

SUPPORT THE SHOW and get 40% off an annual subscription to Nebula by going to https://nebula.tv/500opentabs

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week we learn about the insane story of Alligator Joe and how camels ended up in Australia. A listener email explored Mary Toft's strange birthing practices.

Episode Tabs:

When Kids Played With Alligators in Los Angeles

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/alligator-farm-los-angeles-180957172/

The strange story of Australia’s wild camel

https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20180410-the-strange-story-of-australias-wild-camel

Listener Tabs:

https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/library/files/special/exhibns/month/aug2009.html

https://www.pcmag.com/news/firefox-power-user-keeps-7400-plus-browser-tabs-open-for-2-years

Email your closed tab submissions to: [email protected]

Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/500OpenTabs

500 Open Roads (Google Maps episode guide): https://maps.app.goo.gl/Tg9g2HcUaFAzXGbw7

Continue the conversation by joining us on Discord! https://discord.gg/8px5RJHk7a

SUPPORT THE SHOW and get 40% off an annual subscription to Nebula by going to https://nebula.tv/500opentabs

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week we learn about the legendary Hollywood Target that took forever to get built and Pompeian graffiti. A listener email shows us the best dog who gets the most pats.

Episode Tabs:

The 'Target Husk' in Hollywood Opens at Last, 12 Years After Work Began

https://lamag.com/featured/hollywood-target-opens

What the Graffiti of Ancient Pompeii Teach Us About Our Modern Selves

https://blog.degruyter.com/graffiti-ancient-pompeii-teach-us-modern-selves/

Listener Tabs:

https://www.onemillionpats.com/

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steeplechase_(athletics)

Email your closed tab submissions to: [email protected]

Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/500OpenTabs

500 Open Roads (Google Maps episode guide): https://maps.app.goo.gl/Tg9g2HcUaFAzXGbw7

Continue the conversation by joining us on Discord! https://discord.gg/8px5RJHk7a

SUPPORT THE SHOW and get 40% off an annual subscription to Nebula by going to https://nebula.tv/500opentabs

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week we learn about skydiving beavers, WW2 bat bombs, and Cynthia the Gaba Girl. A listener email informs us of the communion wafer monopoly.

Episode Tabs:

Why 76 Beavers Were Forced to Skydive into the Idaho Wilderness in 1948

https://www.scientificamerican.com/blog/running-ponies/why-76-beavers-were-forced-to-skydive-into-the-idaho-wilderness-in-1948/

Cynthia the Mannequin: A Curious Star Is Born

https://time.com/3877720/life-with-cynthia-the-world-famous-mannequin/

Listener Tabs:

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muki_(mythology)

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knocker_(folklore)

https://www.vice.com/en/article/vvaeyb/the-surprisingly-cutthroat-business-of-communion-crackers

Email your closed tab submissions to: [email protected]

Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/500OpenTabs

500 Open Roads (Google Maps episode guide): https://maps.app.goo.gl/Tg9g2HcUaFAzXGbw7

Continue the conversation by joining us on Discord! https://discord.gg/8px5RJHk7a

SUPPORT THE SHOW and get 40% off an annual subscription to Nebula by going to https://nebula.tv/500opentabs

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week we're in San Diego for Comic-Con where we learn about the history of Cosplay and the world's greatest autograph collector, Joseph Mikulec. A listener email shows us a livestream of a real-life stream.

Episode Tabs:

Myrtle R Douglas: Mother of Convention Costuming

https://youtu.be/DasGQQkj-xY?si=VfZUtkyjqRuSZL23

The Man Who Walked Around the World, Collecting the Autographs of the Rich and Famous

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/the-man-who-walked-around-the-world-collecting-the-autographs-of-the-rich-and-famous-180979841/

Listener Tabs:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WorldPride

https://visdeurbel.nl/

Email your closed tab submissions to: [email protected]

Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/500OpenTabs

500 Open Roads (Google Maps episode guide): https://maps.app.goo.gl/Tg9g2HcUaFAzXGbw7

Continue the conversation by joining us on Discord! https://discord.gg/8px5RJHk7a

SUPPORT THE SHOW and get 40% off an annual subscription to Nebula by going to https://nebula.tv/500opentabs

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this week's highly anticipated crossover episode, we are joined by House of Pod's Dr. Kaveh Hoda as we learn about Pig Butchering, famed Iranian dancer Mohammad Khordadian, and the Tiffany Problem. A listener email clues us into the existence of Bog Butter.

Episode Tabs:

Pig Butchering Scam

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pig_butchering_scam

Keeping Up with the Khordadian

https://www.bidoun.org/articles/keeping-up-with-the-khordadian

Tiffany Problem

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tiffany_Problem

Listener Tabs:

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bog_body

https://www.theguardian.com/music/2019/oct/25/eminem-was-interviewed-by-secret-service-about-threatening-trump-lyrics

Email your closed tab submissions to: [email protected]

Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/500OpenTabs

500 Open Roads (Google Maps episode guide): https://maps.app.goo.gl/Tg9g2HcUaFAzXGbw7

Continue the conversation by joining us on Discord! https://discord.gg/8px5RJHk7a

SUPPORT THE SHOW and get 40% off an annual subscription to Nebula by going to https://nebula.tv/500opentabs

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In honor of reaching our 25th episode milestone, this week we host the ancient tournament of Kumitab! Join our battle royale as we pit some of our craziest tab subjects against one another including a lobotomized housewife, Richard Nixon, and the burning MacArthur overpass. A listener email informs illustrators to which patron saint they should pray.

Listener Tabs:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Titivillus

Email your closed tab submissions to: [email protected]

Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/500OpenTabs

500 Open Roads (Google Maps episode guide): https://maps.app.goo.gl/Tg9g2HcUaFAzXGbw7

Continue the conversation by joining us on Discord! https://discord.gg/8px5RJHk7a

SUPPORT THE SHOW and get 40% off an annual subscription to Nebula by going to https://nebula.tv/500opentabs

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.