From a playing card company in 19th-century Kyoto to one of the most iconic names in gaming history, Nintendo's journey is as surprising as it is legendary. In this episode of Curious Cat, we dive into the twists and turns that shaped a global empire — from toy innovations to console wars, and the curious cat who played a key role in transforming pixels into a cultural phenomenon. Think you know Nintendo? Think again.

What do war rations, sweet childhood memories, and a philanthropic chocolate magnate have in common? They’re all part of the rich, surprising story behind The Hershey Company. In this episode of Curious Cat, we unwrap the incredible journey from modest beginnings in rural Pennsylvania to becoming one of the world’s most iconic candy empires. Along the way, discover how chocolate shaped a town, funded a school, and found its way into the hands of soldiers on the front lines. Tune in for a blend of history, business intrigue, and a few unexpected twists in the tale of America’s chocolate king.

Once upon a time, nearly every photograph in the world shared one name: Kodak.

In this bite-sized, five-minute dive, Curious Cat host Andy zooms in on the fascinating rise, dramatic fall, and surprising reinvention of the company that made photography a global pastime. From George Eastman’s disruptive dream in the 1880s to Kodak’s invention of the digital camera—and the shocking reason it didn’t take off—you’ll discover a story packed with creativity, caution, and unexpected comebacks.

How does a brand go from cultural icon to bankruptcy... and then find a second life? Tune in for a vivid snapshot of innovation, nostalgia, and the power—and peril—of standing still.

When you think of NASA, you probably picture astronauts on the Moon or rockets blasting into orbit — but what if NASA’s impact goes far beyond space itself?

In this episode of Curious Cat, host Andy peels back the layers of one of the most ambitious organizations ever created. From its surprising Cold War origins to the technology in your phone, from Mars rovers to memory foam, discover how NASA has shaped our world — above and below the atmosphere.

Curious how a space agency touches your daily life? Or what the future holds as NASA partners with private companies to return to the Moon and venture to Mars? Buckle up — space isn’t the final frontier... it’s just the beginning.

Buckle up, because this episode of Curious Cat takes you on a journey like no other — straight into the roaring heart of Harley-Davidson. Host Andy revs through the riveting story of how a scrappy duo in a Milwaukee shed built more than just motorcycles — they forged an American legend.

From battlefield grit to leather-clad rebellion, Harley’s ride through the 20th century is packed with war stories, boardroom drama, and thunderous cultural impact. How did the brand become a symbol of freedom? What nearly brought it to its knees? And how is it reinventing itself for a new generation of riders?

Get ready for roaring engines, revolutionary spirit, and a whole lot of road. This is Harley-Davidson like you’ve never heard it before.

From a humble corner in Seattle’s Pike Place Market to over 35,000 stores worldwide, this week on Curious Cat, we’re unraveling the unlikely origin story of Starbucks — the coffee empire that changed how the world drinks, socializes, and even spells names on cups.

Host Andy takes you back to the 1970s, when three friends dreamed of better coffee, and follows the extraordinary journey involving a Dutch-American roasting mentor, a detour in Milan, a bold takeover, and a cultural revolution brewed one cup at a time.

Discover how a simple bean shop transformed into a global giant and meet the people who stirred the modern coffee movement into existence. This is not just the story of a company — it’s the story of how our daily caffeine rituals were forever reinvented.

Grab your favorite brew. This is one cup of history you won’t want to miss.

Before it was synonymous with sleek sports cars and blistering racetrack speeds, Porsche began its story with electric motors and hybrid dreams—in 1901. On this episode of Curious Cat, host Andy uncovers the incredible journey of how a young Austrian obsessed with electricity laid the groundwork for one of the most iconic car brands in history. From Ferdinand Porsche’s early innovations—including a hybrid car a century ahead of its time—to the dramatic rise, fall, and comeback of the Porsche family legacy, this is a story of war, reinvention, and engineering brilliance. Buckle up as we explore how a company born in a sawmill came to conquer the world’s roads.

Think you know Rolex? Think again. In this week’s episode of Curious Cat, host Andy uncovers the astonishing origin story behind the world’s most coveted watch brand. It begins not in a Swiss factory, but with a twelve-year-old orphan in Bavaria—and a moment of clarity on top of a horse-drawn London bus.

Discover how Hans Wilsdorf, fueled by loss and shaped by resilience, rewrote the rulebook of luxury, innovation, and marketing. From smuggling waterproof watches into newspaper headlines to redefining what a charity-owned company can achieve, the secret history of Rolex is more thrilling than fiction—and it’s hiding in plain sight.

Buckle up. Your perception of the crown is about to change.

From a five-year-old boy biking through Swedish villages selling matches to a global furniture empire touching half the planet’s households—this is the captivating origin story of IKEA like you’ve never heard it before. In this episode of Curious Cat, host Andy unpacks the flat-pack phenomenon that revolutionized how we shop for our homes. Discover the curious twist that sparked the invention of ready-to-assemble furniture, and how a designer’s car-trunk problem became a multi-billion-euro solution. It’s innovation, entrepreneurship, and just the right number of Allen keys.

In this episode of Curious Cat, host Andy uncovers the riveting origin story of Sony — from a war-torn Tokyo repair shop to a global powerhouse that reshaped how we listen, watch, and play. Discover how a pair of visionary engineers defied expectations, invented the Walkman, disrupted video gaming with the PlayStation, and created a brand synonymous with innovation. Packed with surprising twists and cultural revolutions, this is more than a tech story — it’s a tale of imagination, risk, and world-changing ideas. Curious yet? You should be.