Épisodes

  • ELI5 Marble - why does it feel cool to the touch?

    ELI5 Marble - why does it feel cool to the touch?
    Nov 17 2025
    What makes marble feel cold to the touch, especially in winter apartments? How does the use of marble in art reflect the cultural values of the civilizations that employed it? What exactly is marble and how is it formed geologically? What role does marble play in ancient Greek architecture, specifically in the Acropolis and its iconic structures? How does the history of marble reveal about human ambition, creativity, and the pursuit of perfection? ... we explain like I'm five Thank you to the r/explainlikeimfive community and in particular the following users whose questions and comments formed the basis of this discussion: reynardb, razeus, pierre_poutine90, forkwhilef0rk, sgrams04, stevewmn, rundna, thaddeusjp. To the community that has supported us so far, thanks for all your feedback and comments. Join us on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/eli5ThePodcast/ or send us an e-mail: ELI5ThePodcast@gmail.com
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    7 min
  • ELI5 Aircraft Carriers - why are the runways at an angle?

    ELI5 Aircraft Carriers - why are the runways at an angle?
    Nov 13 2025
    Why do modern carriers feature an angled flight deck instead of a straight full-length runway like their WWII predecessors? How fast does an aircraft have to go to take off from a carrier? Why don't planes just fall off the front of the ship when they take off? What are the costs and challenges associated with building longer runways on aircraft carriers? What advantages do nuclear-powered aircraft carriers have over conventional ones in terms of operational efficiency? ... we explain like I'm five Thank you to the r/explainlikeimfive community and in particular the following users whose questions and comments formed the basis of this discussion: hyndis, green_meklar, kal_vas_flam, infernalism, pedopaul, aquatic_mammal, amatulic, generallyawfulhuman. To the community that has supported us so far, thanks for all your feedback and comments. Join us on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/eli5ThePodcast/ or send us an e-mail: ELI5ThePodcast@gmail.com
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    9 min
  • ELI5 Iron - is body iron different to construction iron?

    ELI5 Iron - is body iron different to construction iron?
    Nov 4 2025
    Is the Iron in our body different from the Iron used in construction? How did ancient cultures use meteoric iron without knowledge of metallurgy? What makes iron such a vital natural resource throughout human history? Why doesn’t iron in our blood react strongly to MRI machines? How does the imaginative concept of ""space swords"" link history and modern mythology around iron? ... we explain like I'm five Thank you to the r/explainlikeimfive community and in particular the following users whose questions and comments formed the basis of this discussion: azhiker00, 18_usc_47, dependent_warning_51, lallo-the-long, boredcop, gnonthgol, gailynstarfire, 1strategist1. To the community that has supported us so far, thanks for all your feedback and comments. Join us on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/eli5ThePodcast/ or send us an e-mail: ELI5ThePodcast@gmail.com
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    8 min
  • ELI5 Daylight Savings Time - who thought it was a good idea?

    ELI5 Daylight Savings Time - who thought it was a good idea?
    Oct 24 2025
    Why do we still change clocks to Daylight Savings Time when so many people dislike it? Who came up with the idea in the first place? Why is there a movement to permanent Daylight Savings Time? Are farmers for or against Daylight Savings Time? ... we explain like I'm five Thank you to the r/explainlikeimfive community and in particular the following users whose questions and comments formed the basis of this discussion: sushiandwow, eigenfood, tripshed, bunchoatoms, jiceman and grizzletron. To the ELI5 community that has supported us so far, thanks for all your feedback and comments. Join us on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/eli5ThePodcast/ or send us an e-mail: ELI5ThePodcast@gmail.com
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    9 min
  • ELI5 Submarines - how the Titanic was a cover for a US Navy submarine mission

    ELI5 Submarines - how the Titanic was a cover for a US Navy submarine mission
    Oct 17 2025
    If nuclear submarines can generate their own water and oxygen underwater, why do they need to surface at all? Why are submarine propellers always at the back, while airplane propellers are usually at the front? How did submarines and the US Navy play a part in the discovery of the Titanic? ... we explain like I'm five Thank you to the r/explainlikeimfive community and in particular the following users whose questions and comments formed the basis of this discussion: ilearnrussian, lokiorin, slobbie, hemingwavy, yancy_farnesworth, luckbot, omnipotentsandwich, r3dm0nk. To the community that has supported us so far, thanks for all your feedback and comments. Join us on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/eli5ThePodcast/ or send us an e-mail: ELI5ThePodcast@gmail.com
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    10 min
  • ELI5 The Gold Standard - how Isaac Newton helped gold win over silver

    ELI5 The Gold Standard - how Isaac Newton helped gold win over silver
    Oct 10 2025
    What is the gold standard and how did it influence currency value historically? How did the transition from a gold standard to fiat currency shape modern economics? What led to the abolition of the gold standard in the US during the Great Depression? What impact did Executive Order 6102 have on private gold ownership in 1933? How does the US dollar derive its value without being tied to gold? What part did Isaac Newton play in helping gold become the standard precious metal of choice? ... we explain like I'm five Thank you to the r/explainlikeimfive community and in particular the following users whose questions and comments formed the basis of this discussion: ilearnrussian, lokiorin, slobbie, hemingwavy, yancy_farnesworth, luckbot, omnipotentsandwich, r3dm0nk. To the community that has supported us so far, thanks for all your feedback and comments. Join us on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/eli5ThePodcast/ or send us an e-mail: ELI5ThePodcast@gmail.com
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    9 min
  • ELI5 Locks and Keys - aren't there high chances that two keys are the same?

    ELI5 Locks and Keys - aren't there high chances that two keys are the same?
    Oct 5 2025
    Did you know a standard lock might have thousands of combination possibilities, yet yours might open someone else's door? How does a master key work such that it can open multiple locks without compromising security entirely? What makes lockpicking more of an art than a science, requiring skill and a deep understanding of how locks function? How can a particular ""jiggle-and-twist"" method sometimes allow a key to open unintended locks successfully? What surprising connections do locks and keys have with human ingenuity and security throughout history? ... we explain like I'm five Thank you to the r/explainlikeimfive community and in particular the following users whose questions and comments formed the basis of this discussion: QvttrO, TehWildMan_, DJpng, thephantom1492, Childofglass, Jack_Chronicle, Git_Off_Me_Lawn, woofle07. To the community that has supported us so far, thanks for all your feedback and comments. Join us on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/eli5ThePodcast/ or send us an e-mail: ELI5ThePodcast@gmail.com
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    8 min
  • ELI5 Monopoly - was it invented to criticize capitalism or crush friendships?

    ELI5 Monopoly - was it invented to criticize capitalism or crush friendships?
    Sep 26 2025
    Did you know that the original Monopoly board was circular as well as made from cloth? How have Monopoly games evolved over the years to create more engaging experiences for players? Can Monopoly actually reflect the negative impact of monopolies in the real world, rather than just an enjoyable pastime? What are some of the most interesting versions of Monopoly? ... we explain like I'm five Thank you to the r/explainlikeimfive community and in particular the following users whose questions and comments formed the basis of this discussion: mrpillowthegreat, amisspelledword, jakash, esploratore, nowhereweare, tscrandall, thr33beggars and rorynne. To the community that has supported us so far, thanks for all your feedback and comments. Join us on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/eli5ThePodcast/ or send us an e-mail: ELI5ThePodcast@gmail.com
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    8 min