Where Did it Come From? Where Did it Go?

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We've all used objects like forks, vending machines, and chewing gum, but what abut those items we no longer use anymore, like corsets or floppy discs? And what about those wacky inventions that never really took off, like Smell-O-Vision, the Life Expectancy Watch, and wooden bathing suits? In this…

Ana Opishinski & Ivana Ivanova


    • Jan 29, 2021 LATEST EPISODE
    • infrequent NEW EPISODES
    • 40m AVG DURATION
    • 42 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Where Did it Come From? Where Did it Go?

    Tobacco Pipes

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 29, 2021 14:47


    After having spent a week looking at tobacco pipes at work, Ana delivers their whole history. The age-old pastime of smoking includes pipes made of stone, clay, wood, plastic, and corn cobs, and here we cover them all!

    Chopsticks

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 15, 2021 8:24


    Hey, 2021! We're back! Ana kicks off the new year and re-starts the podcast with a Where Did it Come From mini-sode covering the history of chopsticks.

    Microsoft Bob

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 18, 2020 7:21


    This week Ana explores the vestiges of one of the tech world's earliest failures: Microsoft Bob. Nothing could be worse than Clippy, you say? Just buckle up and definitely be sure to check out our social media for some old screenshots for this PC atrocity.

    Plastic Bags

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 7, 2020 8:04


    The Plastics wear pink on Wednesdays, but the earth will be wearing plastic bags for thousands of years. This week Ana covers the very quick history of one of the most commonly used items in the world: plastic bags. Invented less than 75 years ago, but now found worldwide, plastic bags are here to stay, despite all the issues associated with them. Please rate, review, and subscribe on iTunes... and remember to bring your reusable grocery bags!

    The Amber Room

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 16, 2020 9:40


    A priceless room covered in amber and gemstones. Nazi bad guys. A mysterious disappearance. A potential curse. Need we say more? This week Ana covers the disappearance of the 8th Wonder of the World: The Amber Room. Spend 10 minutes with us to learn about one of history' greatest lost treasures. Please rate, review, and subscribe!

    Dr. Marten's

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 9, 2020 11:36


    Have you ever wondered how a military boot became a symbol of subculture? Well, first it was a shoe popular with housewives... This week, Ivana covers the sometimes surprising history of Dr. Marten's boots. Please rate, review, and subscribe on iTunes and check us out at wdicfpod.com.

    Electric Guitars & The Jukebox

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 31, 2020 60:25


    This week we present to you the first long episode since the format revamp & the theme is music! We explore how the sounds of rock and roll really changed the 20th century through the inventions of the electric guitar and the Jukebox. Ana covers how guitars became electric, louder, and rock icons while Ivana explains the rise and fall of Jukebox popularity, which peaked in the 1950s. We also discuss collectors items, mix tapes, and the 27 Club. Join us to delve into our recent history and please rate, review, and subscribe.

    Thomas Edison's Phonograph Dolls

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 17, 2020 12:29


    Do you think dolls are creepy? How about talking dolls? How about 130 year old talking dolls? Then this episode may not be for you! Ana explores one of Thomas Edison's lesser known creations: the Phonograph Doll. Talking toys are nothing new to those of us in the 21st century, but the phonograph doll was one of the first attempts at making a talking children's toy. Needless to say, it's creepy. it's heavy, and it's expensive, so it's no wonder that this was a flopped invention. If this hasn't scared you away, give us a listen if you want to be even more creeped out! And while you're at it, please rate, review, and subscribe on iTunes or wherever you listen to podcasts.

    M&Ms

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 10, 2020 12:45


    Ladies, Gents & All People, we aren't talking about the rapper, oh no, this week Ivana gives you the history of those little delicious candies: M&M's. They're famous for being in the palm of your hand because they aren't supposed to melt, but I'm sure we've all had them at movie theaters, in Halloween candy, in trail mix, and maybe even Saturday-morning pancakes, but did you know these little guys also went to space? (oh, there goes gravity!). Grab a handful of your favorite variety and listen to the history of these chocolatey treats! Please rate, review, and subscribe on iTunes or wherever you get your podcasts!

    Chess

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 3, 2020 15:26


    We're back! After a month-long hiatus, we have re-vamped our podcast format. Ana will tell you all about it here on this episode as well as the history of one of the world's oldest games: Chess! She doesn't play, so cut her some slack if she doesn't know what an "en passant" is, but hopefully she will teach you some things you may not have known about this black-and-white game. Please rate, review, and subscribe on iTunes and check us out at wdicfpod.com

    The Evil Eye & Curse Tablets

    Play Episode Listen Later May 30, 2020 32:36


    Alakazam! Or should we say, "Berbescu?" This week we delve into the origins of some magic ideas and amulets. Ivana discusses the history of the Evil Eye, or at least those blue things we thought were the evil eye. Ana goes into Greco-Roman Curse tablets, which were in fact quite petty, and is regaled with a story of a modern day Twitter curse. Please, rate, review, and subscribe!

    Keys & Theranos

    Play Episode Listen Later May 16, 2020 65:50


    Have you ever wanted to become a billionaire so badly you made a fraudulent machine, despite everyone telling you it wouldn't work? We didn't think so, but today Ivana has the story of the failed invention created by someone who DID do that. Oh, and if you did manage to become a billionaire, Ana can tell you all about the different ways to lock your fortune up from wooden keys, clapping, and finger rings that might be suspiciously like brass knuckles. Please read, rate, and subscribe on our new platform: Anchor!

    Salt & Pepper Minisode

    Play Episode Listen Later May 1, 2020 12:07


    It's the first of the month - have you ever paid your peppercorn rent? This week we present to you a minisode about Salt and Pepper, not to be confused with Salt-N-Pepa. Ana always wanted to know why and how salt and pepper became the go-to spices of American cooking, so she dives deep into history to give you a ten miunte condensed version of this match made in heaven.

    Mascara & Greek Fire

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 17, 2020 40:02


    Quarantine is still going strong, but we aren't letting it get us down - not with this episode about "things that make you hot." Although Ivana did almost shave off her eyebrows, so maybe it IS getting to us a little... This week Ivana takes you back in time to when people painted their eyelids with minerals. honey, and crocodile dung and Ana takes you slightly less back in time when people shot sticky fire at their enemies boats. On the way we reminisce about old makeup fashions and wonder how some people know about things like getting their nails done. Please rate, review, and subscribe!

    Athleisure & Hoop Skirts

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 3, 2020 63:44


    If you're like Ana during quarantine, you've been wearing athleisure nonstop for the past couple of weeks - so why not let her tell you the history of all those spandex-y things you've been sporting? Ivana covers the history of a more cumbersome fashion: hoop skirts. If you've been wearing leggings for as long as you've been stuck at home and can't remember what these are, think Belle from Beauty and the Beast. Other topics include quarantine, quarantine, and quarantine. Just Kidding! Let us take your mind off being stuck in your houses for the foreseeable future with this dive into fashion history. Please rate, review, and subscribe!

    The Speculum & Bloodletting

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 21, 2020 54:33


    This episode has been brought to you by unbroken eye contact...you'll see what we mean. We decided to cover some medical history to go along with the current Coronavirus outbreak and maybe take your mind off things for a while, and remind you, at the very least, that we should be thankful we have Germ Theory. Ivana covers the history of the Speculum and Ana tells you why we don't do bloodletting anymore, and some other topics include Harry Potter curses, red juice cleanses, and not wanting to know any more than we already do.

    Calendars & Sundials

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 6, 2020 63:24


    It's our 1 year podcast-aversary! And in honor of this episode that's all about our time together, here's an uncut episode that's all about...you guessed it, inventions and objects that have to do with time.

    The Kazoo & Lituus

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 21, 2020 34:20


    A man named Alabama, a clock maker, and a traveling salesman walk into a bar and a kazoo comes out...or something like that. This week it's musical instruments: the kazoo (which should be forgotten) and the Etruscan lituus, which was forgotten by time. Join us as we laugh about the sounds of the past this week, and don't forget to leave us a review on iTunes!

    Zippers & The Kissing Shield

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 7, 2020 34:56


    This week we're zipping it AND wrapping it...? But actually, this episode does contain mature content, and shockingly it's not in Ana's zipper history. The history of the sipper is actually pretty "zippy." Get It? After this, Ivana covers the history of the Kissing Shield, an oddly recent invention, that sort of resembles a bubble wand and comes in different colors. And if you were already confused, don't worry, there's an even more confusing game that goes along with it. Visit out new website at wdicfpodcast.com!

    A Very Delayed Christmas Episode

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 24, 2020 25:13


    Is St Nick a savior, a demon, or satan...or a butcher? It doesn't matter as long as you get your coffee & go! This week we belatedly explore some Victorian Christmas items: the Christmas Pickle and Christmas Cards...and come to the conclusion that these people had a boon of Christmas and didn't know what to do with it. Join us for a quick and dirty explanation of some strange holiday traditions, as well as topics including Impossible Whoppers. FloJo, and Charles Dickens' dropping hot albums.

    An Archaeological Special

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 10, 2020 15:13


    We break from our regularly scheduled programming to bring you this archaeological special! Ana & Ivana were at an archaeological conference this week and wanted to share some of the weird and interesting artifacts of the past with you, so they interviewed a variety of archaeologists about their favorite artifacts. They had a lot of fun meeting everyone and learning a plethora of objects that fall into the where did it go category.

    Seat Belts & Chariots

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 14, 2019 51:09


    A history of transportation! Ivana covers the invention of seat belts, which were actually used in planes way before cars, and Ana covers the bloody history of the chariot, which certainly didn't disappear for the reason you'd expect. Other topics include: red velvet chairs, tiny horses, Sports rivalries, and bags for your baby.

    Black Friday & Aspic

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 1, 2019 38:06


    It's our 20th episode AND it's a Holiday themed one! Ivana covers the history of the USA's craziest shopping day of the year: Black Friday, and Ana covers everyone's least favorite Thanksgiving side: Aspics...which basically turned into a history of gelatine, jell-o molds, and jellies. Please join us in celebrating the festivities of the holiday season & best wishes from us in dealing with all your crazy uncles. Please subscribe, rate, and review.

    Anesthetic & Leaded Gasoline

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 15, 2019 45:57


    It's an episode of strange chemical compounds! Ivana covers the long history of how we've knocked people out for surgery & Ana discusses the disastrous results that came from mixing lead and gasoline. But don't worry....it's all for money, right? Other topics include hot sauce, glowing girls, and how popular cocaine has been throughout history. Please, rate, review, and subscribe!

    Air Conditioning & The Heated Jacket

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 1, 2019 40:52


    We're trying out a new format this week to bring you the best stories from history. In this short episode, we discuss the history of heating and cooling - namely air conditioning and heated jackets. One of these is a surprisingly recent invention and provides a beacon of hope to all cold weather haters. We also talk about how people cooled off millennia before electricity was discovered. Please, follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @wdicf_podcast

    Ouija Boards & Frozen Charlottes

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 18, 2019 61:52


    Join us this spooky season for our very first Halloween episode as we confuse Malcolm's and spoil some horror films. Ivana gives the history of everybody's least favorite party activity: Ouija, as well as some useful tips if you do decide to break out the ol' planchette. Ana follows with the macabre history of the Frozen Charlotte - a morbid little doll from the Victorians, who, quite frankly, you can always expect to be morbid. Oh, and it was baked into cakes, too. Please follow, rate, and review!

    Scrubs & The Dalkon Shield

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 4, 2019 48:32


    This week we delve into the weirdness that is medical history, with Ivana's absolutely disturbing story about the state of women's health and Ana's less intense history of medical scrubs (which was chosen specifically to counteract how intense Ivana's story is). You've been warned! Other topics include unlimited chicken, Whole Foods hot bars, ripped jeans, and how legit Wikipedia is. Please follow us on Facebook and check out our website!

    Roller Skates & Aqua Dots

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 20, 2019 46:55


    We met up in person for a huge day of recording and this is the first of the three episodes we worked on that day. That also means it's probably the sanest of the next few episodes coming out. Ivana talks about roller skates, which my be older than you expect, although our perception of the 18th century is that "everyone was fancy and weird." Ana talks about Aqua Dots, a toy that seemed fun, until you decided to try and eat them.Follow us on social media, rate, and review!

    Moth Man & The Aquatic Ape Hypothesis

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 6, 2019 58:24


    This week we depart from our usual format to tell you the history of two ideas instead of objects. Ivana discusses the origins of Moth Man - some combination of legend, cryptid, angel, and omen...or was he just a big owl? Ana talks about an alternative evolutionary theory that says human ancestors didn't come down from the trees to chill in the grasslands, but instead went to the beach. Oh, and it was Ana'a birthday too - check out what she did on her social media & don't forget to follow us on Facebook while you do!

    Toilet Paper & The Wooden Swimsuit

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 23, 2019 60:01


    This week we talk what we deem to be "things made from trees." Ana talks about the very petty history of toilet paper and all the things we used to use instead of it. Ivana covers the very DIY-ish history of the wooden swimsuit and its accompanying "Spruce Girls." Other topics of the week include Momo, pine needle soup, Girls Rock Camp, duct tape trends, and the merits of showers. You'll learn a lot more than just the history of these two items in this episode for sure! Please follow, rate, and review!

    Bikinis & The Iron Lung

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 9, 2019 49:50


    This week we have very mismatched topics because we both prepared for "Where Did it Come From," but it makes for a crazy episode full of laughter, stories about kids, and funny voices! Other topics include: Band Camp, bad tv re-makes, and 3 shades of beige. Please subscribe, rate, and review!

    Platform Shoes & Earth Shoes

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 26, 2019 38:44


    This week we talk '70s shoes! Ivana covers the history of what might possibly be her fave ever shoe: the platform, & Ana talks about the weirdness of negative heel technology. Listen on Spotify, iTunes, PodBean, & Stitcher. Rate & Review, guys!!

    The Candy Episode #1

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 12, 2019 50:50


    In what we're sure will probably be the first of many candy-themed episodes, we discuss Bubble Gum, Butterfingers, and the Wonderball - but we won't tell you who's telling what story!  P.S. Sorry for the audio quality, the air conditioner was running and we did our best to edit that hum out but it made our voices echo-y in some places. Thanks for bearing with us, everyone!

    Kawaii & Pogs

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 28, 2019 54:30


    We accidentally semi-coordinated out topics this week! All 90s babies will love our chat about "cute things," Hello Kitty and Pogs. Other topics include: the pink Pokemon, haunted closets, Tamagotchi in the age of Smart Phones, "Everyone is Good at Math," and a deeper discussion on how capitalism steals ideas.

    Mortarboards & Cursive

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 14, 2019 49:47


    Our graduation/school themed episode covers mortarboards, you know those funny square hats, and the tale of the disappearing cursive writing from American schools. Other topics include: 50 shades of yellow, Latin camp, the Ivy girls, Hogwarts uniforms, and the non-importance of signatures.  PSA, we've change our posting day from Thursday to Friday, thanks guys!

    E-Readers & Floppy Discs

    Play Episode Listen Later May 31, 2019 69:56


    Our (hopeully) one and only uncut episode. You all get the full, unedited version today because the week simply got away from us. That means more info, more side rants, and more nonsense!

    Vending Machines & The Exhaust Grill

    Play Episode Listen Later May 19, 2019 61:22


    Today we are talking snack!  Ana starts with Vending machines, which are definitely older than you'd think, and Ivana follows with a story about what happens if you want a burger, but don't want to stop for fast food. Extra topics of conversation include calling 911, the Impossible burger, the Brazilian Beef industry, and a Google puppy search gone very wrong.

    Stoplights & Flying Cars

    Play Episode Listen Later May 2, 2019 53:46


    A very casual birthday episode! We go off the rails (or should I say roads?) on this episode about Stoplights and Flying cars. Actually, we get so derailed we end up talking about "Rat Elon Musk." Other topics include: self driving cars, our first merch, the problems of the MBTA, and Sky ports. Find us on iTunes, Spotify, and Podbean!

    Contact Lenses & Smell-O-Vision

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 19, 2019 65:46


    Do you want to know how we went from putting glass and wax on and in our eyes to modern-day contacts? Do you want to know more about the "Battle of the Smellies"? Then join us this week as we talk all things sight and sound...or is it smell? FYI you're in for some horror stories about eyes as well. Email us at wdicf.podcast@gmail.com or find us on Insta or Twitter @wdicf!

    Bubble Wrap & Packing Peanuts

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 4, 2019 55:14


    Have you ever wanted to know how many minutes of massage provides the same stress relief as 1 minute of of popping bubble wrap? Or what the different colors of packing peanuts mean? This week we delve into some surprisingly interesting stories about different packaging materials with bubble wrap as the "where did it come from" and a special type of environmentally friendly packing peanuts as the flopped invention for "where did it go."

    Corsets & Bras

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 23, 2019 61:52


    A few weeks out from International Women's Day we take a deep dive into women's underwear! Ana covers the history of corsets which transitions perfectly into Ivana's coverage of bras. We learn about a little about men's corsets, squished intestines, and a surprising fact about that infamous 1960s bra burning event.   We also got a new microphone, so things are sounding better than last episode!

    Graham Crackers & New Coke

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 7, 2019 46:13


    In our pilot episode, we delve into the world of food! Ana talks about Graham Crackers and their very Victorian origins and Ivana jumps forward in time to tackle the flopped invention of New Coke. One of these stories is a lot sexier than the other, but more so because one of these foods had a pretty sober history than anything.

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