Omnibus
Omnibus
Omnibus
Every week, Ken Jennings and John Roderick add a new entry to the OMNIBUS, an encyclopedic reference work of strange-but-true stories that they are compiling as a time capsule for future generations.
Root Beer (Entry 1082.MA1321)
In which Futureling LD Kelley traces the evolution of an American favorite, from Native American roots-and-bark brews to Charles Hires’ 1876 World’s Fair unveiling, a 1960s sassafras ban, and the corporate mergers that followed, and John decries the cancer in lab rats movement. Certificate #26097.
Nov 3
58 min
Tower of Babel, 1957 (Entry 1322.GE1109)
In which Futureling TJ Onadi unpacks Hannah Arendt, C.S. Lewis, and the forgotten mid-century idea of spaceflight as a dangerous and profane act of hubris, while John dunks on ska once again. Certificate #42677.
Oct 27
1 hr 16 min
The Winchester Mystery House (Entry 1434.IS4107)
In which Futureling Ashleigh Early explores a fortune, the rifle that built it, and a famously baffling house, while John wonders if civilization itself is at risk from a beer explosion. Certificate #18867.
Oct 20
1 hr 24 min
The Fan Man (Entry 452.ZE0501)
In which Futureling John Arbenz bemuses us with another eccentric Alaskan who dove into a 1993 heavyweight championship fight, dropped in at Buckingham Palace and made pop culture history. Certificate #31102.
Oct 14
59 min
The Berlin Wall (Entry 115.HO0206)
In which Futureling Andrew von Nordenflycht discusses Checkpoint Charlie, renting hammers and chisels to tourists, and the rise and fall of a Cold War monument, while John discovers a new style in Hugo Boss dystopia. Certificate #29207.
Oct 6
1 hr 14 min
The Black Footed Ferret (Entry 128.PR2725)
In which Futureling Katie Nieland explores drones, peanut butter, the bubonic plague, and a delightful animal previously believed to be extinct, while John recounts his experience as a railroad hobo. Certificate #16802.
Sep 29
1 hr 10 min
Vasa (Entry 1384.1K.2248)
In which Futureling Dan Hope relays the tale of a military vanity, a less-than-a-mile voyage, and John relays his success rate in righting overturned canoes. Certificate #30911.
Sep 22
1 hr 10 min
Paul Winchell (Entry 1433.LU.0506)
In which Bohuš Blahut (RetroThing.com, Tech Hunters) and John discuss ventriloquist, the inventor of the artificial heart and the voice of Tigger too. Certificate #25379.
Sep 15
1 hr 2 min
(Live at the Library of Congress) Paper Prints (Entry 897.IS3404)
In which John and Ken record an entry at Library of Congress before a live audience, and Ken pitches the next hit reboot starring John Cena. Certificate #24597
Sep 8
1 hr 15 min
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