Too much waste plastic? Too many greenhouse gases in the atmosphere? Researchers in the UK may have a partial solution for both problems: a process that uses solar energy to convert plastic and greenhouse gases into useful products. Plus: a fancy new wastebasket is partly made of waste plastic and sawdust from the company's factory. 

Using solar power to convert plastic and greenhouse gases into sustainable fuels (University of Cambridge)

A trash can made from garbage and recycled materials (Inhabitat) 

Our Patreon backers help us keep up with all the latest green tech

Today is National Peanut Butter Day. It’s been particularly popular over the last century or so, if you look back even further, you’ll find that peanut butter has been the nutty, crunchy wind beneath our wings for centuries. Plus: a look at a research study from the 2000s called “The Effects of Peanut Butter on the Rotation of the Earth.”

A Brief History of Peanut Butter (Smithsonian)

The Effects of Peanut Butter on the Rotation of the Earth (Improbable Research)

If we're peanut butter, our Patreon backers are our jelly. Or vice versa. 

A lot of us turn to paper towels when there’s a mess to be addressed, but they could also be greener. Researchers are developing a reusable kitchen towel made of hydrogel. Plus: park rangers in Australia have found an invasive cane toad that may be the biggest one ever found, so of course they nicknamed it "Toadzilla."

Roll Over, Paper Towels—UMD Researchers Create Picker-Upper That’s Even Quicker (University of Maryland)

Australian park rangers say 'Toadzilla' could be world's biggest toad (Reuters)

No muss, no fuss when we're with our backers on Patreon

There’s still plenty of winter to go. But if plenty of winter still isn’t enough, there’s a way to level up: staying at an ice hotel. Plus: the story of a bird that has perfect timing. 

Canada's Ice Hotel Is an Incredible Winter Wonderland — and Now You Can Explore It From Home (Travel + Leisure)

8 Ice and Igloo Hotels to Visit This Winter (UrbanDaddy)

Australian Parrot Lands on Redditor’s Bird Book at Exact Moment It’s Open to Its Page (My Modern Met)

Nobody's cooler than our Patreon backers

Today was the birthday in 1809 of author Edgar Allan Poe. It was also the day that, for decades, a mysterious individual would pay tribute to the great writer with a mask, three roses and a bottle of cognac. Plus: students at Washington State University have built a life-size version of the game Operation. 

Poe’s Memorial Grave (The Edgar Allan Poe Society of Baltimore)

Life-size ‘Operation’ game provides real-word learning experience (Washington State University)

We raise a toast to our Patreon backers, who support every episode of our show!

Today in 1943, the US government tried to help the war effort in a way that did NOT go over well. They tried to halt the sales of sliced bread. Plus: for Winnie the Pooh Day, a reminder that there is a world championship for a game from the books known as Poohsticks.

Pre-Sliced Bread Was Once Banned in the United States (Today I Found Out)

Witney's World Poohsticks Championships mark 35 years (BBC)

Our Patreon backers are the best things since sliced bread 

Today in 1899 was the birthday of Al Capone. Not everyone would brag about getting a gift from the notorious gangster, but there’s a hospital in Baltimore that’s happy to share its connection. Plus: today in 1931, the birthday of James Earl Jones, legendary actor and occasional CB radio prankster. 

For Union Memorial, Al Capone's tree keeps on giving (Baltimore Sun)

James Earl Jones on Darth Vader, Mufasa and, natch, Totes McGotes (New York Times)

Our Patreon backers planted the seeds that helped this show grow

Dr. King gave his most famous speech in Washington D.C. When he was in the capital city and when he was hungry, he often stopped at a landmark restaurant known as Ben’s Chili Bowl. Here's some of its story. 

My Restaurant Has Hosted Protestors Including MLK for More Than 60 Years (Thrillist) 

Ben's Chili Bowl Celebrates 45th Anniversary (CNN)

Tomorrow in Las Vegas, the 2023 AArrow Sign Spinners competition begins, with elite-level sign spinners showing off their best moves. Plus: for National Rubber Ducky Day, a visit to the world’s largest rubber duck store.

AArrow Sign Spinners Competition

Broward Man Heading to World Sign Spinning Championship in Las Vegas (Miami New Times)

Meet 2 sign spinners who will compete in Las Vegas in a worldwide competition (KGW)

The World’s Largest Rubber Duck Store, Ducks in the Window, Offers Quirky Gifts In Massachusetts (Only In Massachusetts)

Our Patreon backers are all champions

Today in 2015, the first news reports about Eclipse, a dog in Seattle that had figured out how to get itself to the dog park on the city bus. Plus: Comet 2022 E3 (ZTF) is going to be visible from Earth this month and in early February, and you probably don’t want to wait until its next go-round to see it.

Seattle dog's rush hour ride: on the bus, by herself, weekly (KOMO News)

Bus-riding dog who took herself to park remembered as ‘Seattle icon’ (Washington Post)

A comet not seen since 50,000 years will be visible again in early 2023 (Interesting Engineering)

We keep on riding thanks to our Patreon backers