That's Super Interesting

From dryers playing Schubert to microwaves playing inspirational melodies, when did household appliances become the soundtrack to daily life? In this episode, we explore the beginnings of the product sonification trend that has become mainstream for nearly all types of household appliances. And, we share a taxomony of human reactions to the trend.  Some of my favorite choreography videos to appliance songs: https://youtube.com/shorts/J-5t3EvhAlU?si=QX2VTb6vosJb9JTT https://www.tiktok.com/@cost_n_mayor/video/7192425403661765931   Thanks to the pianist and guitarist who posted their duets on YouTube and are included in the episode, and some other faves: Pianist: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tu1g3h4lAvQ  Guitarist: https://youtu.be/y3vWVynL9Q4?si=0eqUhJKc8dQK9MzS  One man band: https://youtu.be/XG9xHIG7RII?si=eSywG5fCH6SZndVc  Credits: Huge thank you to Mike Hahm and Meegan's friend Jill for sharing the household appliance jingles from their homes. And thanks to the following audio artists who have made their work available for use: Sal Monella Eatery and Pub by - by Steven F Allen (audiomirage) -- https://freesound.org/s/718491/ , People Talking 01 by iameligator -- https://freesound.org/s/494102/ , Bright sfx hit by xkeril -- https://freesound.org/s/736849/ , VS_Short Whoosh 2.mp3 by Vilkas_Sound -- https://freesound.org/s/460471/ , Production Sounder: Button Zipper Usage by BWSmithATL -- https://freesound.org/s/245314/ Contact us: [email protected] References: 1) https://www.gearpatrol.com/home/a45038903/singing-appliances/ 2) https://www.wtnh.com/news/national/what-is-behind-the-end-of-cycle-song-on-your-samsung-washer-can-you-turn-it-off/#:~:text=According%20to%20Husker%2C%20a%20Samsung,convey%20comfort%20in%20the%20home.&text=Composed%20in%201817%2C%20the%20song,lyrics%20to%20sing%20along%20to! 3) https://www.yourclassical.org/story/2020/08/20/appliance-jingles-classical-music 4) https://www.its-her-factory.com/2018/11/singing-appliances-reproductive-labor/ 5) https://interlude.hk/classical-sounds-in-modern-machines-household-appliances-play-classical-music/ 6) https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2019/09/why-are-washing-machines-learning-to-play-the-harp/594706/ (I read on: https://www.nightterrorsof1927.com/why-washing-machines-are-learning-how-to-play-the-harp ) 7) https://www.upworthy.com/violinist-washing-machine-duet 8) https://musescore.com/user/28662213/scores/9601027#:~:text=The%20funky%20little%20song%20that,Poacher%2C%20composed%20by%20Pete%20Morton. 9) https://www.audiobrain.com/ 10) https://www.zojirushi.com/blog/design-explained-our-signature-tune/ 11) https://www.20k.org/episodes/domesticsymphony (podcast) 12) https://rksdesign.com/home-appliance-design/#

Many people with not-so-perfect vision take contact lenses for granted. But how and when did they become so easily accessible? We explore the history of contact lenses and come across some funny anecdotes about their origins and evolution. And bonus: there's even a fun science adjacent activity you can try at home. We'd like to thank retired optomestrict, Christine Janty, for sharing her expertise with us!  Sources:  https://www.eyecarecenter.com/how-do-glasses-work https://www.britannica.com/biography/Willebrord-Snell https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ibn_Sahl_(mathematician) https://www.glasses.com/gl-us/blog/when-were-glasses-invented#:~:text=It%20is%20generally%20accepted%20that,the%20bridge%20of%20the%20nose. https://www.contactlenses.org/timeline.htm https://www.warbyparker.com/learn/when-were-contacts-invented#:~:text=In%20the%201630s%2C%20French%20scientist,glass%20contact%20lens%20onto%20patients. https://clspectrum.com/issues/2022/april/history-of-contact-lenses/ https://www.bbc.com/news/health-40630852 Leonardo da Vinci's contact lens drawing. Image credit: supercurioso.com Light refraction experiment: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DeIVhcIo1V4