Welcome, July!  It's time for schnapsidee moments, as the Germans would say. Bring on inebriated ingenuity and blue-sky thinking in the heat of the sizzling summer sun. Here's what's in store for you this month: 

• Amusing Planet
• Podcast Spotlight: Canada Day & The 4th of July
• Brain Busters ... and so much more!

Tom from North Carolina writes:  I was buying a pair of shoes the other day, and the guy at the store measured my foot in a metal contraption. What do ya call that thing, anyway?

Response: Great question!  Thanks for your email, Tom. The metal contraption that wrapped around your foot is a Brannock Device. And, interestingly, it wasn't the first foot-measuring tool on the market. The RITZ Stick was first, but it required too many steps and was too complicated to use. So, Charles Brannock patented his solution in 1929, and it's still in production today. For more about the history of the tool, visit the company's website at brannock.com

While we're on the topic of inventions, did you know that Disney has a secretive invention lab? Check out Area 51.

Heads up loyal listeners!   Nick and Roy are planning new material and a special show in September 2024 to celebrate five years of Totally Useless Information. They'll have more to share with you as soon as these two hopelessly useless fellows get their thinking caps on.  

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