Bruce fancies a flap. Simon is a loft . Pigeons are often described as the rats of the skies, but they play their role in our ecosystem - and they've played their part in wars, too - and even received medals for it! This episode is all about these misunderstood doves. As always, click on the pics and the links to learn more from the loft that is Factoraly What's the Difference Between a Pigeon and a Dove? Carrier Pigeons Homing Pigeons https://www.rpra.org/about-rpra/getting

Simon sticks his pinkie out. Bruce reads his leaves Tea is part of the British way of life - but it started thousands of miles away. There is only one tea plant - a Camelia - but all the varieties come from it. In this episode you'll find a variety of facts about tea and how it's changed the world. As alweays, click on the pics and links to spill the tea on this great beverage. The Invention of Tea The History of Tea Cuppa? East India Company and Tea Bubble (Boba) Tea Cather

Simon is a star (anise). Bruce is feeling spicy. Today, we take spice for granted. There's a whole area of the supermarket dedicated to it. But it hasn't always been that way. Spice was almost priceless only a few hundred years ago and the search for it cost untold lives. This episode delves deep into the spice rack and comes out smelling wonderful! As always, click on the pics and links for more aromatic rabbit holes. The History of Spice Spice and Medicine Peppercorns & Spi

Simon puts his first foot forward. Bruce whirls fireballs. Are you sad that you didn't have all these New Year's facts at your fingertips before New Year? Well, we imagine your friends are very grateful that we released this episode AFTER New Year's Eve! Next year... January 1st - January named after Janus First Footing Fireballs in Stonehaven The Kirkwall Ba' Game Auld Lang Syne The Lyrics: And the dance... Philippines Lucky Round Fruit Singapore Wishing Spheres And en mass

Bruce spreads. Simon spoons. Jam is a great way to preserve fruit and all its goodness. And it's been the preferred method of keeping fruit for quite some time. This episode goes into all it's sweet gooiness and comes out with very sticky fingers. As always, click on the pics and links to discover some jarring facts. 12 Days of Christmas https://www.factoraly.com/podcast/episode/510999c6/christmas-day-1-reindeer https://www.factoraly.com/podcast/episode/853e4583/christmas-day

Simon is spreading his wings. Bruce is rubbing genitals. Moths are not what you think. They're helpful, beautiful things that are everywhere. Whilst butterflies get all the good songs, moths are the ones doing the heavy lifting. In this episode, we look into the wonderful world of the moth. As always, click the pics and links to flutter through some brilliant moth information. Bruce's Kilt Moth Detterents Beautiful Moths How to Tell a Moth from a Butterfly What Moths Eat Wate

Bruce is balanced Simon is the same on both sides. Symmetry is balance, and nature adores balance. There is symmetry everywhere if you look for it. This slightly more aesoteric episode ponders the existence of balance all around us. As always, click on the pics and links to see both sides. Different Forms of Symmetry Human Symmetry Symmetry in Nature Snowflakes Fractals Symmetry and asymmetry in Architecture The Scalpel in London City Hall Brussels Symmetry in Literature Symm

Simon gets it sorted. Bruce takes it to the cul-de-sac The mail has been around for ages, but until recently, only for heads of state, governments and the very wealthy. Nowadays, anyone can send a letter or a parcel anywhere in the world. But how did we get from there to here? In this week's episode, we put our hand in the post box and get stuck! As always, click the pics or links to end up in a variety of pigeonholes. The history of Royal Mail The Penny Black Bert Todd in

Simon uses his dibber. Bruce scatters. Seeds are quite literally the stuff of life. We're surrounded by them. The male populations of practically all species will carry them. Ubiquity doesn't come much fuller than seeds. But where do seeds come from? Why are they important? And what will happen to them in the future? This episode plants deeply and springs up with some shoots that will entrance you. As usual, click on the pics or the links to sprout knowledge.  Plant reproduct

Bruce tunes in. Simon turns on. Radio waves exist naturally in the universe, but harnessing them has led you, well, here. Because without radio waves, there would be no internet. And no radio to speak of, as we do in this episode. As always, click on the pics to explore the airwaves - and where there's more than one source, click on the captions, too. Bruce's Old Radiogram To hear Bruce's anecdote on Radio Luxembourg, check out our very first episode on cucumber. Things That

Simon is the top hat. Bruce is the racing car. Board Games have been around since the Neanderthals, and one of the most modern board games is named after them (see below). Today, they are an excellent way for friends and family to get together and challenge each other. In this episode, we learn how to play various games, where they originated, and where they're headed. As always, click on the pics to gamify your browser. Royal Game of Ur Chess Draughts Monopoly Lizzie Magie M

Simon syncs his. Bruce sets his Watches tell more than time. They tell a story. And this week's Factoraly is their story... As always click on the pics to pass the time pleasantly The Casio F91W Casablanca What Watch. The Pendant Watch The Invention of the Wristwatch The Harrison Watch in Only Fools and Horses The Pocket Watch An Albert Chain 1810 Queen Caroline of Naples Watch 1858 The Countess of Hungary's Watch The Dalai Lama Working on his Patek Philipe The Pocket Sundial

Simon is on tap, Bruce bottles it. Beer is a water of life - sometimes literally. It's been drunk for thousands of years and is useful, especially when the water isn't particularly potable. This episode is ideal for people wearing beer goggles. If you'd like to look at what we're seeing, click on the pics below. Soupy Beer Bread https://www.beerandbrewing.com/dictionary/UqfrcsPoAI St Bridgit https://www.irishpost.com/news/the-story-st-brigid-bathwater-beer-178498 Hops Making

Bruce leaps tall buildings. Simon is bitten by a radioactive microphone. This time, we'll be discussing those extraordinary fictional characters whom young people love to read about. From their comic book origins to their universal appeal, we investigate just what makes a superhero. As always, click on the pics to visit your friendly, neighbourhood rabbit hole. The Shadow Intro Gladiator The e-book: https://www.gutenberg.org/files/42914/42914-h/42914-h.htm Action Comics and

Bruce is feeling saucy. Simon is al dente. Pasta is delicious — especially when it's served with a tasty sauce. But where does it come from? (Italy, obviously). And what types of pasta are there? (over 600). And what goes with which? This episode plunges into boiling water and comes up with some superb morcels. As always, click on the pics to go deeper into the bowl. Villa di Geggiano The Pasta Fork Dan Pashman's Cascatelli Dolce and Gabana Pasta Earlings Pesto Genovese in Fl

Bruce Simon brings down a gazelle. Bruce is full of pride. Lions. The kings of the Jungle and the Savannah. Lions have been symbols of strength and power since time immemorial. This episode goes deep into the Lions' den and pulls out the thorns of truth and facts that will surprise and delight you. As always, click on the pics to go deeper into the mane event. Types of lion How Many Lions Are There? Lions Roaring Lions Hunting The Star Sign Bruce Walking with Lions Lion Tam

Simon is sitting comfortably. Bruce is on his situpon There are so many different sorts of chairs. We use them every day, but how much do...

Simon's arm goes live. Bruce gets his wires crossed. Oldest Puppets Early BBC TV Puppets https://blog.scienceandmediamuseum.org.uk/puppet...

Bruce goes totally bats. Simon wishes he could fly way up to the sky... But he's not a bat. Bats are really incredible. They're mammals...

Simon is a Dino. Bruce is just Saur Dinosaurs were around SO much longer than we have been. In this episode, we look into their timeline,...