Grimm, Grimmer, Grimmest - Special Episode from Who Smarted?

Introduction

In this special episode of "Who Smarted?" featured in the Grimm, Grimmer, Grimmest podcast series, hosts Adam Tex Davis and Jerry Colbert delve into the fascinating world of accidental inventions. This episode, released on April 9, 2025, seamlessly blends science, history, and humor to engage young listeners in understanding how some of their favorite everyday items came to be through unexpected mishaps and happy accidents.

Theme: Accidental Inventions

Accidental inventions form the cornerstone of this episode, with the hosts exploring how unintentional discoveries have significantly impacted our daily lives. The episode begins with Jerry Colbert setting the scene at a local elementary school science fair, where accidental inventions take center stage.

Adam Tex Davis explains the concept, stating:

“There are lots of inventions, discoveries, and even food recipes that were purely accidental. I thought it would be cool to show that even mistakes can sometimes lead to something great.”
(Timestamp: 03:33)

This theme not only highlights the serendipitous nature of innovation but also encourages young minds to embrace curiosity and experimentation.

Exploring Accidental Food Inventions

The episode first explores several accidental food inventions, each accompanied by engaging anecdotes and educational insights.

Chocolate Chip Cookies

Adam introduces the history of chocolate chip cookies, recounting the story of Ruth Wakefield:

“In 1930, Ruth Wakefield was baking chocolate cookies when she realized she was out of baker's chocolate. She broke semi-sweet chocolate into small pieces and added them to the dough. Instead of melting completely, the chocolate remained in chunks, creating the first chocolate chip cookie.”
(Timestamp: 05:15)

Jerry humorously reacts:

“Whoa, I see. And now people all over the world get to enjoy her cooking accident. Speaking of, can I please have a cookie?”
(Timestamp: 05:54)

Ice Cream Cone

Next, the hosts delve into the accidental invention of the ice cream cone:

“At the 1904 World's Fair in St. Louis, Ernest A. Hamwy, running a zalabia (a type of waffle) stand, found himself out of bowls for serving ice cream. In a moment of creativity, he rolled the waffle into a cone shape, allowing patrons to enjoy their ice cream without bowls. Thus, the ice cream cone was born.”
(Timestamp: 07:20)

Jerry engages the audience with a playful quiz:

“Is it A, a traffic cone, B, with their hands, or C, in a bowl? If you said C from a bowl, nice job.”
(Timestamp: 06:59)

Popsicles

The invention of popsicles is attributed to an 11-year-old named Frank Epperson:

“In 1905, Frank Epperson mixed soda water powder and water, leaving the mixture with a stirring stick overnight. The freezing temperatures turned it into the first popsicle.”
(Timestamp: 09:05)

Adam adds:

“In 1923, Frank started a business making what he called 'epsicles,' which later became known as popsicles, in seven fruit flavors.”
(Timestamp: 09:32)

Potato Chips

Jerry introduces the tale of potato chips:

“At the Cary Moon Lake house in Saratoga Springs, New York, a customer repeatedly sent back his fried potatoes for not being thin and crispy enough. Frustrated, chef George Crum sliced the potatoes ultra-thin, fried them to perfection, and salt added the final touch. The customer loved them, paving the way for the beloved potato chips we enjoy today.”
(Timestamp: 10:26)

Non-Food Accidental Inventions

Transitioning from culinary creations, the episode highlights non-food inventions that have become household staples.

Frisbee

The story behind the Frisbee begins with a bakery near Yale University:

“The Frisbee is named after a bakery where pie tins were tossed back and forth by students. These pie tins evolved into the plastic discs we now know as Frisbees.”
(Timestamp: 11:59)

Jerry jokes:

“But why? It's not a food.”
(Timestamp: 11:59)

Silly Putty

Silly Putty owes its existence to James Wright:

“In 1944, engineer James Wright mixed boric acid with silicon oil, accidentally creating a bouncy, gooey substance. Initially dismissed, it was later introduced by Peter Hodgson in 1949 as Silly Putty, a popular children's toy.”
(Timestamp: 12:36)

Adam shares an interesting fact:

“Astronauts on Apollo 8 used Silly Putty to keep tools from floating around after leaving Earth's gravity.”
(Timestamp: 13:03)

Slinky

Finally, the hosts recount the creation of the Slinky:

“In 1943, Navy engineer Richard James was developing torsion springs when one fell and began walking down stairs. Fascinated, he and his wife Betty refined the idea, and by 1945, the Slinky was introduced as a toy. A store named Gimbel's sold out 400 Slinkys in 90 minutes, cementing its place in toy history.”
(Timestamp: 13:24)

Conclusion and Takeaways

The episode wraps up by emphasizing the value of accidental discoveries in shaping our world. Adam reinforces the message:

“Even mistakes can sometimes lead to something great.”
(Timestamp: 03:39)

Jerry adds a light-hearted closing:

“Wow. I am glad I'm not a judge. It would be too hard to pick or eat just one.”
(Timestamp: 15:00)

Through engaging storytelling and interactive quizzes, Grimm, Grimmer, Grimmest successfully educates its young audience about the importance of creativity, resilience, and the unexpected paths that lead to innovation.

Notable Quotes

• Adam Tex Davis: “There are lots of inventions, discoveries, and even food recipes that were purely accidental. I thought it would be cool to show that even mistakes can sometimes lead to something great.”
  (03:33)

• Jerry Colbert: “Whoa, I see. And now people all over the world get to enjoy her cooking accident. Speaking of, can I please have a cookie?”
  (05:54)

• Adam Tex Davis: “At 1904 World's Fair in St. Louis, Ernest A. Hamwy... the ice cream cone was born.”
  (07:20)

• Jerry Colbert: “But why? It's not a food.”
  (11:59)

• Adam Tex Davis: “Even mistakes can sometimes lead to something great.”
  (03:39)

Production Credits

Who Smarted? is crafted with a team of talented individuals:

• Written by: Slinky Sarah Sweetick
• Voiced by: Diana Helen Kennedy, Adam Tex Davis, and Jerry Colbert
• Technical Direction and Sound Design: Josh Hahn
• Associate Producer: Max Waffle Cone Kamasky
• Theme Song: Brian Silly Putty Suarez, with lyrics by Adam Tex Davis

Created and produced by Adam Tex Davis and Jerry Colbert, this episode stands as a testament to the inventive spirit and the magic that can emerge from unexpected moments.