Intro
Hello curious minds of the internet and welcome back to Curio6yx, where curiosity meets discovery! I'm your host, Luca, and in this episode, we're stepping into the corridors of history to witness the incredible transformations that time has woven into the fabric of our world. Building on the curiosity we sparked in our last episode, get ready for a voyage through the annals of time. We'll unravel the origins of elections, debunk a claim from an American journal, explore why a statue found itself riddled with holes, take a stroll through a park that doubles as a cemetery, savour a bodybuilder's dream food, and delve into the pages of the oldest recipe. So without further ado, fasten your seatbelts, time travellers, we’ll explore the world as it was.
Building on the intriguing question we left you with in our last episode, let's dive into the dynamic world of elections. An election serves as a formal group decision-making process. The roots of elections stretch back to ancient civilisations like Greece and Rome, establishing their presence even during the 18th century when monastery death was a thing. Now, as of 2022, various electoral systems shape the democratic landscape across the globe. These systems include majoritarian and proportional representations; mixed-member majoritarian and proportional representation, and semi-proportional representation (non-mixed). Yet, it's noteworthy that not every corner of the world is touched by the rhythm of elections. In some places, the traditional dance of democracy takes a different form, or sometimes, it doesn't take place at all.
Let's rewind the clock to November 22, 1900, when an annular solar eclipse graced the skies. Back then, the belief prevailed that this celestial event could trigger significant atmospheric, electrical, and seismic changes during the reactionary period spanning from the 21st to the 23rd of November. Now, picture this: You're in Austria, eagerly anticipating a spectacular solar eclipse. The Hopkinsville Kentuckian, an American journal, unintentionally sows confusion by incorrectly claiming that the eclipse would cast its shadow over Austria. Imagine the excitement turning into bewilderment as viewers in Austria prepared to witness an event that, unbeknownst to them, wouldn't unfold in their skies, but in Australian ones.
Can you fathom the disappointment? Picture the scene—a community gathering, eyes fixed on the sky through smoked glass, crafted by holding it over the flame of an ordinary wax candle. A collective sigh as the eclipse fails to grace the Austrian skies, leaving observers with nothing but the ordinary celestial canvas.
Allow me to transport you to the late Jōmon period, between 2000 and 1000 BC, where the enigmatic "masked goddess" emerges as a testament to ancient craftsmanship. Unearthed from the Nakappara Site in Chino, Nagano Prefecture, this sizeable Japanese dogū, a clay figurine, now finds its home in the captivating Togariishi Museum of Jōmon Archaeology. Standing proudly at 34 centimetres and weighing a substantial 2.7 kilograms, the masked goddess distinguishes itself among its dogū counterparts for its intricate details—a series of small holes strategically placed throughout its form. These perforations, found on the top of the head, mouth, side of the neck, belly, between the legs, and even on the soles of the feet, serve not only as stylistic elements but also play a crucial role in the figurine's creation process: allowing the escape of air, preventing the dogü from an explosive fate.
Fast forward to 1921, when the Empire of Japan transformed a Korean Royal Cemetery into an unexpected landscape—the greens of a golf course, now known as Hyochang Park. Amidst this alteration, the tomb of Royal Noble Consort Uibin Seon remained, incongruously placed directly on the golf course. Nestled in the heart of Yongsan District, Seoul, this park has a history that predates its golf course days, tracing back to its establishment as a cemetery in 1786. The stint as a golf course was brief, lasting a mere three years until 1924. Today, Hyochang Park stands as a testament to the resilience of history, spanning 30.47 acres, approximately 123,000 square meters. Its significance is further underscored by its designation as a protected historical site on June 8, 1989, recognised as Historic Site of South Korea No. 330.
In a culinary twist fit for the fitness realm, Steem, a food company in the USA, once unveiled a dream food for bodybuilders: caffeinated peanut butter. This culinary marvel had its heyday between 2014 and 2019, capturing the attention of those seeking an energy boost from an unexpected source. Originally conceived as a potential hangover cure, Steem's caffeinated peanut butter boasted a unique feature—the caffeine was powdered and flavourless, seamlessly integrated without altering the beloved taste of peanut butter. However, this posed an interesting outcome. A single serving of Steem peanut butter, just two tablespoons, packed a punch with an impressive 150 milligrams of caffeine. To put it in perspective, that's equivalent to two cups of coffee or five cans of Coca-Cola. The buzz around this caffeinated creation caught the attention of New York U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer. Concerned about the potential health risks, especially for children who might not perceive the caffeine due to its hidden presence, he called on the Food and Drug Administration to investigate.
Staying on the culinary trail, journey back in time to 1750 BC, where the oldest known recorded recipes await discovery. Preserved on three clay tablets nestled in the Babylonian Collection at Yale University in Connecticut, these culinary relics provide a glimpse into the gastronomic delights of the past. The credit for unearthing these ancient treasures goes to the meticulous work of French historian Jean Bottéro in the mid-1980s. Delving into the tablets, Bottéro revealed a culinary tapestry comprising roughly 40 recipes. These gastronomic time capsules primarily feature stews and broths crafted from red meat, birds, and an array of breads. What sets these recipes apart is not just the ingredients which were highly valuable and meant for rich diners, but also the absence of explicit instructions. It would be interesting to know how widespread those recipes were at the time.
Outro
As we wrap up this episode of the podcast, I’d like to thank you all for joining me today and listening to these 6 curiosities. If you enjoyed the episode, share it with someone who would like it as well and feel free to send us an email or leave a comment with your feedback. Also remember, the world is filled with amazing facts waiting to be discovered through our curious lens. Until next time, stay curious and keep seeking knowledge - with me, your host - here on Curio6yx.