Ever felt the need to masticate? You’re not alone! Listen in and find out how peoples all across the earth ball have been thinking of ways to chew on stuff. Today we still see the remnants of the chewing gum era from the early 20th century: vending machines with colorful content.

SOURCES:

History of gumball machines:

https://www.appletonsweets.co.uk/blogs/news/the-enduring-popularity-of-gumball-machines 

All about chewing gum:
https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chewing_Gum

You might have picked up on it: one of our host’s hobbies is biking. So Mister Caramelo finally gets a chance to list fun facts about foldable bikes - from the Military to the golden age!

They are a sign of nobility, wealth, and sometimes love: rings. And you have to take them off to do the dishes, do sports or even for cooking. So how has something so impractical preserved over centuries? Listen in and find out, and maybe you’ll get equipped with some nerdy knowledge for your next crafty workshop (or date).

SOURCES:

Rings, their history and design:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ring_(jewellery)

The diamond campaign history:

https://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/diamond-de-beers-marketing-campaign 

Diamond rains in the universe:

https://www.euronews.com/next/2022/09/07/diamonds-on-uranus-how-it-may-be-raining-million-carat-jewels-on-icy-planets#:~:text=The%20diamond%20rain%20phenomenon%20is,squeezed%20together%20at%20incredible%20pressure

If you take a look around you will find signs written in Braille. Next time you see one, stop and feel the words. In this episode, we talk about the origin and use of Braille, a communication system designed by and for the visually impaired.

SOURCES: 

Inclusive language etiquette:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/inclusive-communication/inclusive-language-words-to-use-and-avoid-when-writing-about-disability

NPR article about braille and the use of smartphone technology:

https://www.npr.org/sections/alltechconsidered/2012/02/13/146812288/braille-under-siege-as-blind-turn-to-smartphones#:~:text=Today%2C%20the%20National%20Federation%20for,people%20can%20actually%20read%20it.

Braille insights about its use:

https://www.rnib.org.uk/professionals/health-social-care-education-professionals/knowledge-and-research-hub/reports-and-insight/reading-and-braille-research/

Video Tutorial for Braille function in smartphones:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QVUl5Sd_4PE

The Joystick is an iconic and very loved controller device. In this episode we explore the funny origin of the word as much as we ponder on its use and history. 

SOURCES:

New York Times in an article about the origins of "joystick": http://www.nytimes.com/2005/06/05/weekinreview/05zeller.html?hp

MICHAEL QUINNON. A message thread from his research:

https://listserv.linguistlist.org/pipermail/ads-l/2005-June/050361.html

Video documentary:

https://youtu.be/SL-4HfQnNV4

VIDEO commentary about joy baton:

https://youtu.be/6WVQBtPM2XI

A very technical explanation of the technology behind the joystick mapping:

http://blog.hypersect.com/interpreting-analog-sticks/

German activist building Lego ramps for wheel:chairs

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-lego-ramps-germany-idUSKBN20D1PU 

Let’s take a really good look at today’s object of fascination: eyewear. What do endangered species have to do with it? And why does this topic sidetrack us into a conversation about Edward Snowden and privacy laws? Tune in to find out. 

SOURCES:

A brief history of eyeglasses:

https://allabouteyes.com/see-past-fascinating-history-eyeglasses/

Some background on Oliver Goldsmith:

https://mivision.com.au/2010/08/the-inventor-of-fashion-eyewear/  

More on CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora), which protects endangered tortoises and others:

https://cites.org/eng 

This time we talk about one of Mister Caramelo’s weird hobbies: picking up trash from the streets. We also make a small detour into modern tourism and lose ourselves in memories.

SOURCES:

Symbol as token:

http://www.fathersforgood.org/ffg/en/big_four/symbolon.html

Custom Fridge Magnets Under Rs. 20 | Shivangi Sah

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_R2nQQNiXo

In this episode, we discover a common interest! Things might get intimate. But we assure you - this is still a family channel! Join us on an exploration of how to reduce…uhm we mean manage stress.

SOURCES:

Study on partner hugs and their health effects from 2005:

“More frequent partner hugs and higher oxytocin levels are linked to lower blood pressure and heart rate in premenopausal women” - Biological Psychology, by Kathleen C. Light, Karen M. Grewen and Janet A. Amico

If you are new to ASMR, check out this video which explains ASMR and different triggers:

Or learn more about it here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ASMR

On this episode, we talk about the Blender, that electric appliance that most modern kitchens have. Starting with the infomercials that made this product famous, we then dive into the health culture around blending foods. Join us in this little mix up.