EPISODE · May 28, 2026 · 15 MIN
Why Medieval Monks Invented the Snooze Button
from Brain Candy Daily · host Podcaster
Before alarm clocks existed, medieval monasteries developed a bizarre system of rotating sleep shifts that accidentally discovered the optimal nap length for human productivity. Turns out those 6am prayers weren't just about devotion—they were conducting the world's first large-scale sleep experiment, and the results explain why your afternoon crash happens exactly when it does. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
What this episode covers
Before alarm clocks existed, medieval monasteries developed a bizarre system of rotating sleep shifts that accidentally discovered the optimal nap length for human productivity. Turns out those 6am prayers weren't just about devotion—they were conducting the world's first large-scale sleep experiment, and the results explain why your afternoon crash happens exactly when it does.
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Why Medieval Monks Invented the Snooze Button
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