Cool Stuff Daily

Weird Wednesday brings us a strange evolutionary discovery, the world's largest dog meets the world's smallest (and it's hard not to smile), plus 'Seagull Boy' returns to defend his championship. On This Day in History, we look back at the world's first integrated circuit.

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The surprising evolution of the platypus and echidna, the weirdest animals on Earth | CNN - 

In rare evolutionary event, weird platypus cousin evolved from living in water to living on land | Live Science

Bone microstructure supports a Mesozoic origin for a semiaquatic burrowing lifestyle in monotremes (Mammalia) | PNAS

A 3-foot difference didn't stop a horse-size Great Dane and tiny chihuahua from becoming friends | AP News

Watch: World's tallest and shortest dogs have puppy playdate in Idaho - UPI.com

Watch: British 'Seagull Boy' wins second consecutive gull screeching championship - UPI.com

https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/articles/cy0y47zved2o

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A massive star-forming gas cloud has been discovered strangely close to Earth. Plus, ancient tools discovered in Kenya are more than 3 million years old. On This Day in History, we examine the Penny Black stamp, the world’s first adhesive postage stamp, and its impact on communication.

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Massive star-forming cloud found strangely close to Earth

Ancient stone tools found in Kenya made by early humans

Researchers find 3-million-year-old tools in Kenya, showing development of human ancestors

Penny Black stamp guide

Stanley Gibbons: Penny Black

Royal Mint Museum: Penny Black

Postal Museum: The Penny Black Stamp

First Known Piece of Mail Sent Using a Stamp Goes to Auction

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Ronan the Sea Lion – perhaps the best beat-keeper on the planet? We’ve got the fascinating details. A new drone mimics the flying squirrel, which could be a game-changer for robots ability to navigate highly congested spaces. And on This Day in History, the story of Mary Kies – the first woman to receive a patent in the US.

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This adorable bopping sea lion can probably hold a beat better than you

This Flying Squirrel Drone Can Brake in Midair and Outsmart Obstacles

1st woman US patent holder - Mary Dixon Kies in 1809

May 5: Mary Kies Becomes First Woman to Receive a U.S. Patent

Patented Straw Weaving Technique

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On today's episode, a new study links phthalates to heart disease death, a portion of a long-forgotten soviet spacecraft originally designed to land on Venus is headed back towards Earth – in an uncontrolled manner. Plus, on This Day in History, the first commercial jetliner service carry's passengers from London to Johannesburg

A Soviet Spacecraft Is About to Crash Back to Earth After Being Stuck in Orbit for 53 Years

Heart disease deaths worldwide linked to chemical widely used in plastics

De Havilland Comet: the rocky history of the first commercial jetliner

7/27/1949: First Flight of the Comet 1 Prototype

De Havilland DH106  Comet 1 & 2

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A plastic film that mimics shark skin may help airplanes fly a little greener and is there a benefit to fluoride in public water systems? On This Day in History, the Empire State Building is dedicated by President Herbert Hoover.

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Today's Weird Wednesday episode brings us the man who required rescue twice in four days on Mount Fuji, dirty rain hits part of the US, and a mini dachshund returns home after 529 days in the wild. Plus, on 'This Day in History,' Mr Potato Head becomes the first toy advertised on television … and specifically targeted to children.

Man airlifted from Japan's Mount Fuji is rescued again days later | AP NewsStudent rescued from mountain twice in four days - after going back to find his phone | World News | Sky NewsStorm system picks up dust in New Mexico, drops it as dirty rain in New England | AP NewsStorm sweeps desert dust into Maine, leaving dirty cars in its wake | WGMEWatch: Miniature dachshund found after 529 days in the wild on Kangaroo Island - UPI.comValerie the dachshund found 'fit and well' after 529 days on Kangaroo Island - ABC NewsWatch: Pawesome pooches shred the waves at Florida dog surfing festival - UPI.com

The History of Mr. Potato Head

History Facts: The first toy advertised on TV was Mr. Potato Head

ToyDip: First TV Toy Advertisement

The Strong National Museum of Play: Mr. Potato Head

American Experience: Mr. Potato Head

Pentacrest Museums: Me and My Spuds

EBSCO: Mr. Potato Head

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Researchers find a 113-year-old ant fossil, the oldest ever found and the caterpillar that wears the remains of its prey. On This Day in History, the first rubber patent is issued, so we look at the history of rubber.

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The satellite Lucy shares intel on the asteroid Donaldjohnson while on its way to Jupiter and released pheasants may be causing a tick problem. On This Day in History,

NASA's Lucy spacecraft beams back pictures of an asteroid shaped like a lumpy bowling pin | AP News

NASA's Lucy Spacecraft Just Flew by a Strange, Peanut-Shaped Asteroid. See the New Images From the Approach | Smithsonian MagazoneLucy -

NASA ScienceWe’re Releasing Millions Of Birds. The Ticks Are Thriving | ForbesThe Release of Non‐Native Gamebirds Is Associated With Amplified

Zoonotic Disease Risk - Michels - 2025 - Ecology Letters - Wiley Online Library

Thor Heyerdahl

EBSCO: Thor Heyerdahl

“The Kon-Tiki ⛵️ A fascinating expedition by an extraordinary team.”

Thor Heyerdahl’s Kon-Tiki Expedition: Across the Pacific by Raft

Kon-Tiki Museet: Thor Heyerdahl

Kon-Tiki Raft and Heyerdahl Journey 

Thor Heyerdahl as World Heritage

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A tiny satellite, but a huge leap. Quantum-Encrypted data is beamed across the globe, ushering in a new era for ultra-secure internet. Plus, skeletal evidence of a Roman gladiator that was bitten by a lion. On This Day in History, the first submarine to circumnavigate the globe.

Tiny Chinese Satellite Sent Hack-Proof Quantum Messages 12,900 Kilometers Through Space. Is a Quantum Internet Around the Corner? | ZME Science

Skeletal evidence of Roman gladiator bitten by lion in combat | ScienceDaily

Operation Sandblast: The First Submarine Circumnavigation | Amusing Planet

1960: USS Triton’s Underwater Circumnavigation – Knowledge Spectra

This 60 Day Submarine Voyage in 1960 Tested the Psychological and Physical Limits of Crew

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How technology could slow down cognitive decline as we age, and the Cicadas are back - will you be hearing them? We also have an update on the seismic experiments taking place in Yellowstone. On This Day in History, the Library of Congress is established.

Here’s the truth about your ‘digital dementia’ risk | BBC Science Focus Magazine

Cicada Brood XIV to emerge in at least a dozen states: See map | USA Today

Cicada maps show where the noisy insects will emerge in the U.S. this spring - CBS News

Hidden magma cap discovered at Yellowstone National Park - ABC News

When Was the Library of Congress Established? | History Hit

Library of Congress established | April 24, 1800 | HISTORY

Library of Congress Fact Sheet | Library of Congress

Today in History - April 24 | Library of Congress

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