How does Christmas work?

FromBrainStuff

Start listening View podcast show

How does Christmas work?

FromBrainStuff

ratings:

Length:

6 minutes

Released:

Jul 9, 2012

Format:

Podcast episode

Description

Christmas is the biggest holiday on the American calendar -- but how did it get this way? Travel back in time with Marshall Brain as he explores the evolution of Christmas in this special holiday episode. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://news.iheart.com/podcast-advertisers

Released:

Jul 9, 2012

Format:

Podcast episode

Titles in the series (100)

Whether the topic is popcorn or particle physics, you can count on BrainStuff to explore -- and explain -- the everyday science in the world around us.

Skip carousel

How Uninterruptible Power Supplies Work: An uninterruptible power supply protects computers against surges, spikes, sags, and total power failure. Check out this HowStuffWorks podcast to learn more about uninterruptible power supplies. by BrainStuff
2 min listen
How the Corvette ZR1 Works: The 2009 Corvette ZR1 combines several technical innovations to produce a turbo-charged, eight-cylinder engine. Learn more about the Corvette ZR1 in this HowStuffWorks podcast. by BrainStuff
2 min listen
Can grilling meat really cause cancer?: Lots of people like to grill their meat, but this popular cooking method has been linked to cancer. Discover how chemical reactions make grilled meat potentially carcinogenic in this podcast from HowStuffWorks.com. by BrainStuff
2 min listen
What is an MRE?: An MRE -- or meal ready to eat -- contains precooked, sterilized food originally made to nourish soldiers. Check out this HowStuffWorks podcast to learn more about the retort packaging that makes MREs possible. by BrainStuff
1 min listen
How Maple Syrup Works: The clear, thin sap of Maple trees must be boiled down to create maple syrup -- it takes about 30 to 40 gallons of sap to create one gallon of syrup. Check out this HowStuffWorks podcast to learn more about Maple syrup. by BrainStuff
2 min listen
How long can a germ live in a room?: How long can a germ last outside the body? It depends. Tune in to this podcast from HowStuffWorks.com to find out how different germs fare outside the body. by BrainStuff
2 min listen
How Fever Works: In this podcast, learn what causes a fever and what actually happens to the body when a fever occurs. by BrainStuff
2 min listen
How does SETI at home work?: SETI -- the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence -- is an enormous, global undertaking meant to detect signs of life beyond our solar system. Learn how you can help from home in this podcast from HowStuffWorks. by BrainStuff
4 min listen
How gas pumps work: Next time you're filling up your tank at a gas station, ask yourself this: how does the nozzle know when the tank is full? Learn more about gas pumps in this HowStuffWorks podcast. by BrainStuff
2 min listen
How Perceiving Earth as a Sphere Works: Is there any way that people could know the world is sphere while standing on the earth? Learn more about perceiving earth as a sphere in this HowStuffWorks podcast. by BrainStuff
2 min listen
How Breathing in a Submarine Work: For air in a submarine to remain usable, three things must happen: The oxygen must be replenished as it is consumed, the carbon dioxide must be removed from the air, and the moisture in human breath must also be removed. by BrainStuff
2 min listen
How the Virtual First-Down Line Works: Virtual first down lines are used to indicate where play resumes in football -- but how do they work? Listen in as Marshall Brain explains how the technology superimposes a virtual line in this podcast on HowStuffWorks.com. by BrainStuff
3 min listen
How much fuel does an airplane use for a trip?: A Boeing 747 uses approximately one galloon of fuel per second -- over the course of a ten hour flight, it might burn 36,00 galloons of fuel. How does this compare to a car? Check out this HowStuffWorks podcast to learn more about airplane mileage. by BrainStuff
2 min listen
How Catapults Works: There are three different technologies that fall into the catapult category: the ballista, the trebuchet and the catapult. Check out this HowStuffWorks podcast to learn more about the differences between catapult technologies. by BrainStuff
2 min listen
How a GFCI outlet works: A normal 120 volt outlet in the US has two vertical slots and a role hole centered below the slots -- the outlets with a pair of red and black 'test' and 'reset' buttons are known as GCFI outlets. Check out this HowStuffWorks podcast to learn more. by BrainStuff
1 min listen
How many people does it take to do a Formula 1 pit stop?: If you've ever seen a Formula 1 race, then you know the race isn't just between cars -- it's also between pit stop crews. In seven seconds these crews perform an entire pit stop. But how does it work, and how many people does it take? Tune in to find out. by BrainStuff
3 min listen
Why the Sky is Blue?: As sunlight passes through the atmosphere, particles in the air scatter blue light more efficiently than any other color in the light spectrum, creating a blue sky. Learn more about the sky and light in this Brainstuff podcast. by BrainStuff
2 min listen
How Vacuums Work: If a balloon was filled by a vacuum -- rather than helium or air -- would it float? Check out this HowStuffWorks podcast to learn the science behind balloons and vacuum. by BrainStuff
2 min listen
What is the Difference Between a Carat and a Karat?: Carats are used for diamonds, while karats are used for gold. Learn more about the difference between carats and karats in this HowStuffWorks podcast. by BrainStuff
2 min listen
How do satellites orbit the Earth?: In this episode of BrainStuff, Marshall explains the physics behind satellites and orbits. by BrainStuff
3 min listen
How do CD-R discs work?: Unlike a regular CD, a CD-R has a special dye layer that allows you to imprint data on it. Discover the mechanics of CD-R discs in this podcast from HowStuffWorks.com. by BrainStuff
3 min listen
Do the humps on camels hold water?: The camel's hump is a giant deposit of fat that lets the camel survive up to 2 weeks without food. Learn more about camels in this HowStuffWorks podcast. by BrainStuff
2 min listen
What causes the banging noise in my home's pipes?: The problem of pipes banging on a wall is often called "water hammer." Check out this HowStuffWorks podcast to learn more about this phenomenon. by BrainStuff
2 min listen
Are florescent bulbs really more efficient?: Customers are increasingly choosing long-lasting alternatives to traditional incandescent lights. But are florescent lightbulbs really more efficient than traditional lightbulbs? Listen in and find out in this podcast from HowStuffWorks.com. by BrainStuff
1 min listen
How Gun Silencers Work: The sound of gunfire is incredibly loud, and it is amazing that anything is able to silence a firearm. However, the principle behind a gun silencer is surprisingly simple. Check out our HowStuffWorks article to learn more about silencers. by BrainStuff
2 min listen
Is there a way to make my sunglasses scratch-resistant?: Sunglasses have various special coatings: Some are reflective, while others are scratch-resistant. In this episode, Marshall explains how these different coatings work. by BrainStuff
3 min listen
How do they backlight LCD screens?: In this episode, Marshall explains the two technologies that are used to backlight LCD panels. by BrainStuff
4 min listen
How Activated Charcoal Works: If you look on the label of a water filter, you'll often see the filter contains activated charcoal -- but what exactly is this stuff? Tune in as Marshall Brain explains the nature of activated charcoal in this podcast from HowStuffWorks.com. by BrainStuff
2 min listen
How Fountains in Rome Work: Built before the invention of electric pumps, fountains in Rome were powered through an ingenious system of gravity, cisterns, and aqueducts. Learn more about fountains in Rome in this HowStuffWorks podcast. by BrainStuff
1 min listen
Is there any way to see orbiting satellites?: Satellites are fascinating, but for most people they're somewhat mysterious. They float somewhere in space, invisible to the naked eye -- or are they? In this episode of BrainStuff, Marshall explains the physics behind satellites and orbits. by BrainStuff
2 min listen

More Episodes from BrainStuff

Skip carousel

Did the Maya Civilization Fall Because of Climate Change? by BrainStuff
12 min listen
BrainStuff Classics: What's the History of Nail Polish? by BrainStuff
5 min listen
BrainStuff Classics: Do Dogs Get Embarrassed When We Put Them in Costumes? by BrainStuff
5 min listen
If a Stop Light Is Stuck on Red, What Can You Do? by BrainStuff
4 min listen
How Did Benedict Arnold Become So Infamous? by BrainStuff
11 min listen
How Do Pallas's Cats Work? by BrainStuff
6 min listen
What's the Difference Between Sociopathy and Psychopathy? by BrainStuff
10 min listen
Are Humans Built to Drink Milk After Childhood? by BrainStuff
4 min listen
How Should You Escape a Sinking Car? by BrainStuff
6 min listen
How Do Cherry Blossom Trees Work? by BrainStuff
10 min listen
How Did Bessie Stringfield Shape Motorcycle History? by BrainStuff
7 min listen
How Do Squirrels Organize Their Hoards? by BrainStuff
7 min listen
BrainStuff Classics: What Makes Some Lakes Explode? by BrainStuff
6 min listen
BrainStuff Classics: Why Is Palm Oil in So Many Things? by BrainStuff
6 min listen
Where Did the Word 'OK' Come From? by BrainStuff
9 min listen
Should You Beware the Ides of March? by BrainStuff
8 min listen
How Do Fruit Bats Work? by BrainStuff
7 min listen
What Are Meat Sweats? by BrainStuff
4 min listen
How Did Susan B. Anthony Work? by BrainStuff
7 min listen
BrainStuff Classics: What Happens When Elevator Cables Break? by BrainStuff
5 min listen
BrainStuff Classics: How Can I Donate My Brain to Science? by BrainStuff
3 min listen
Why Is the Ocean Different Colors? by BrainStuff
7 min listen
Are You Picturing the Right Brachiosaurus? by BrainStuff
9 min listen
How Does Critical Race Theory Work? by BrainStuff
12 min listen
Is Oxytocin Really A Love Drug? by BrainStuff
7 min listen
How Do Pistol Shrimp Work? by BrainStuff
7 min listen
BrainStuff Classics: Why Did London Once Have a Train for the Dead? by BrainStuff
5 min listen
BrainStuff Classics: Why Does Beer Foam Last Longer Than Soda Foam? by BrainStuff
4 min listen
How Did Maya Angelou Work? by BrainStuff
9 min listen
How Does Scurvy Work? by BrainStuff
9 min listen

Related podcast episodes

Skip carousel

How Christmas Worked: On Christmas eve, Josh and Chuck decide to take that ineffable Stuff You Should Know approach to the celebration known as Christmas. Join the guys as they unravel the mysterious historical roots of the holiday's evolution in this episode. by Stuff You Should Know
28 min listen
Origins of Christmas: Chances are that you've heard of the alleged war on Christmas, which some believe is an effort to distance the celebration from its origins. But what are those origins, exactly -- and where do modern Christmas traditions come from? Tune in to learn more. by Stuff They Don't Want You To Know
17 min listen
Ep 62. Advent - with Dr. Eric Huntsman by In Good Faith
28 min listen
Christmas Triple-Feature: Stille Nacht, St. Nick & Scrooge by Stuff You Missed in History Class
38 min listen
Thanks, Easter Bunny! Bock Bock!: Happy Easter from Stuff You Should Know! Learn all about Easter, from its humble beginnings as a pagan holiday to the multi-billion dollar industry it is today. We'll cover the Biblical and religious aspects, along with the origins of some of Easter's gre by Stuff You Should Know
42 min listen
Adult Coloring Books: Coloring book sales have soared as adults rediscover the calming effects of this childhood pastime. Cristen and Caroline sketch out how the grownup coloring book trend began, psychological debates about its benefits and gender in between the lines. by Stuff Mom Never Told You
52 min listen
What Exactly Are Frankincense and Myrrh? by BrainStuff
5 min listen
STDWYTK Presents: How May I Help You?: If you had a chance to save a loved one, would you take it? How far would you go? It's the gang's collective birthday this month, so as a way of saying thanks to you Conspiracy Realists around the world (and beyond), the guys have teamed up with their ext by Stuff They Don't Want You To Know
36 min listen
Santa, Christmas Trees, and Reindeer: Pagan or Christian? | with Bill Federer: Have you ever wondered where Christmas traditions come from? Better yet, is there any CHRISTIAN truth to these traditions, or are they all rooted in paganism? And what's the deal with Santa Claus? Where did he come from and how did he become such a leg... by I Don't Have Enough FAITH to Be an ATHEIST
49 min listen
Why Are Christmas Trees That Shape? by BrainStuff
3 min listen
Ep. 7: Charles Post: Charles Post might look like a walking contradiction. Dig a bit deeper and you'll find he's far from it. Born and raised in northern California, Charles earned a B.S. and M.S. in ecology from U.C. Berkeley, serves as a conservation advisor for Sitka and editor of Modern Huntsman. by The Hunting Collective
99 min listen
Breaking Santa - Part I: Christmas Is More Than Santa Claus: Breaking Santa - Part I: Christmas Is More Than Santa Claus by Politics By Faith w/Mike Slater
32 min listen
Bonus Sample: Under the Xmas Starship by Conspirituality
8 min listen
ELECTION EDITION: Pandemic Amnesty: ELECTION EDITION: Pandemic Amnesty by Politics By Faith w/Mike Slater
21 min listen
It's In the Code Ep. 73: "Lot of Great People in That Church" by Straight White American Jesus
29 min listen
What Is the Humboldt Ocean Current? by BrainStuff
4 min listen
How fireflies light up Pennsylvania's night skies with Dr. Sarah Lower by Hemlocks to Hellbenders
38 min listen
Celebrating the Season: The Christmas Tree Chronicles: Welcome to a special seasonal episode of The Backyard Naturalists podcast! In this episode, we delve into the age-old debate of artificial vs. real Christmas trees. As we explore the ecological impact, we discover that artificial trees, despite their... by The Backyard Naturalists
11 min listen
Meet The Headwaters Podcast: Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick connect with Peri Sasnett (Digital Media at Glacier National Park) from the Headwaters Podcast. Topics include our relationships with plants, the cultural importance of White Bark Pine, definitions of keystone species... by Native Plants, Healthy Planet
78 min listen
Chris Matheson on Writing Bill and Ted and his Books on God and Buddha: Screenwriter and author Chris Matheson joins Jim in this episode which touches on the recently released Bill & Ted Face the Music, then dives deeply into Matheson's two comedic books on the Bible and the Buddha. In his The Story of God,... by Point of Inquiry
48 min listen
How Much Money Is Enough…For You?: Answering the Devil’s Golden Question with Venture Capitalist Bryce Roberts by 50 Fires: Money and Meaning with Carl Richards
48 min listen
Thu. 10/27 - This Is Your Brain On Books by Cool Stuff Ride Home
18 min listen
976 Before Genesis by Richard Syrett's Strange Planet
60 min listen
Michael Easter: The Comfort Crisis: Today’s guest on Danger Close merges the worlds of science, adventure, fitness, philosophy, and psychology in the quest to understand and enhance human performance and happiness. by Danger Close with Jack Carr
102 min listen
CLASSIC: The Mysterious Origins of Christmas by Stuff They Don't Want You To Know
21 min listen
Ebenezer Scrooge: Hero or Villain? by Radio Rothbard
20 min listen
Marshall Brain's News Roundup: April 22nd, 2011: From the Dukan Diet to gigantic super organisms, there's no shortage of fascinating news stories each week -- so how can you keep track of the best? Never fear: Tune in as Marshall catches you up to speed with his weekly news roundup. by BrainStuff
17 min listen
What is a Nor’easter?: Nor'easters are storm systems that frequently occur in the eastern United States during winter. In this episode, Marshall explains where Nor'easters get their name, how they work and why some Nor'easters are more powerful than others. by BrainStuff
4 min listen
Fireworks, Wildlife, Pets & Nature: Welcome to a thought-provoking episode of The Backyard Naturalists podcast! This week, we delve into a topic that has gained significant attention in recent years—the harmful effects of fireworks. As we approach the 4th of July, a cherished... by The Backyard Naturalists
22 min listen
The C.O.W.S. Compensatory Call-In 12/26/15: The C.O.W.S. Compensatory Call-In 12/26/15 by The C.O.W.S.
1 min listen

Discover this podcast and so much more

How does Christmas work?

How does Christmas work?

Description

Titles in the series (100)

More Episodes from BrainStuff

Related podcast episodes