Who invented Dancing?

Summary

Podcast Summary: "Who Smarted? – Who Invented Dancing?" (July 15, 2026)

Episode Overview

This episode of Who Smarted? takes listeners on a rhythmic journey through the history and science of dance. Host Trusty, joined by the mythological Greek muse Terpsichore, explores the origins of dancing, why humans started to dance, how dance styles evolved, and the benefits of dancing for our bodies and minds. With playful banter, dance breaks, and interactive trivia, the episode makes learning about dance both educational and highly entertaining for kids and families.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Introduction to Dance and “Two Left Feet” (00:47–01:51)

• Trusty shares his excitement about attending the Smarty Dance party, but admits to being clumsy at dancing.
• Introduction of Terpsichore, the ancient Greek muse of dance, who arrives to help Trusty—and the listeners—improve their moves and understanding of the subject.

2. Who is Terpsichore? (02:06–03:13)

• Terpsichore introduces herself as one of the nine muses in Greek mythology, specifically inspiring dance and delight.
• She reassures Trusty and listeners that having fun is the most important part of dancing.

Quote:
"My name, Terpsichore, means delight in dance."
— Terpsichore [02:50]

3. When and Why Did People Start Dancing? (04:53–06:46)

• Dancing dates back at least 10,000 years, as depicted in cave paintings from India and southern Africa.
• Early dances were ways to connect to gods, nature, celebrate events, and preserve stories—long before written language.

Quote:
"Some of the oldest records of dancing were cave paintings... about 10,000 years ago."
— Terpsichore [05:20]

4. Dance for Health – Then and Now (06:46–08:04)

• Ancient Greeks considered dancing important for good health.
• Modern science confirms dancing improves muscle strength, balance, flexibility, heart health, memory, and mood thanks to endorphins, dopamine, and serotonin.

Quote:
"Dancing triggers the release of brain chemicals called endorphins, dopamine, and serotonin, which are linked to happiness."
— Trusty [07:29]

5. The Brain Wave Dance Move (08:04–09:44)

• Terpsichore invents and teaches a simple dance called “The Brain Wave,” encouraging listeners to join in.
• Trusty notes how even a simple dance can boost happiness.

Dance Instructions:

• Tap right foot, tap left foot, move right arm across like a wave, catch the wave with the left hand, circle back to the right, hands in the air, and clap [08:19–09:02].

6. What is a Choreographer? (09:44–10:26)

• Definition: A person who creates and teaches dance moves is a choreographer. Set routines are called choreography.

7. From Ritual to Recreation: Dance’s Social Evolution (10:26–11:38)

• Dance evolved from ritual/ceremony to social gatherings and celebrations (e.g., weddings, feasts) in the Middle Ages.
• The Renaissance introduced theatrical dance (combining music, drama, and costumes), giving rise to ballet.

8. The Origins and Evolution of Ballet (11:38–12:48)

• Ballet originated in Italy’s royal courts, popularized in France by Catherine de Medici and King Louis XIV.
• Spread to Russia, with notable contributions from Empress Anna Pavlovna.

Quote:
"Ballet started in the royal courts of Italy... Catherine de Medici... brought ballet from Italy to France in the 1500s."
— Terpsichore [11:51]

9. The Invention of Tap Dance and Other Styles (13:07–13:59)

• Tap dance, characterized by rhythmic sounds made using shoes with metal taps, started in the United States in the 19th century.
• Influences: African dance, Irish jigs, English clog dancing.
• Key figures: Bill “Bojangles” Robinson, Gregory Hines, Savion Glover.

Quote:
"Tap dancers wear special shoes with metal plates or taps... the metal taps make sounds almost like you’re playing music with your feet."
— Terpsichore [13:29]

10. Modern Dance and Creative Expression (18:06–18:47)

• Isadora Duncan and Martha Graham pioneered modern dance, favoring natural, expressive movement over formal ballet.

Quote:
"She [Martha Graham] believed every movement means something, and dance comes from inside you."
— Terpsichore [18:47]

11. Jazz Dance and Its Influence (18:59–19:27)

• Jazz dance emerged in the 1920s-30s, rooted in African American communities and influenced by jazz music.
• Early styles included the Charleston and Lindy Hop; later stylized by choreographers like Bob Fosse.

12. The Rise of Hip Hop and Breakdancing (19:34–21:04)

• Hip hop and breakdancing originated in the 1970s Bronx, New York—encompassing dance, music (boombox culture), DJing, graffiti, and fashion.
• Dance “battles” became a friendly competition of skills rather than actual fighting.

Quote:
"Dance battles are friendly competitions where dancers take turns showing off their moves."
— Terpsichore [20:50]

13. Keep Dancing—Worldwide and Freestyle (21:04–21:58)

• There are countless dance styles worldwide, each reflecting unique cultural stories.
• Freestyle dancing: Encouragement to create and try one’s own dance moves.

Quote:
"You may even create your own dance style. Here, check this out."
— Trusty [21:34]

14. Final Message: Dance for Fun (21:44–21:58)

• Trusty and Terpsichore wrap up with a joyful, clumsy dance, reinforcing that the main point is to have fun, no matter your skill level.

Quote:
"I still have fun and that’s all that matters."
— Trusty [21:58]

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Memorable Moments & Notable Quotes

• Terpsichore teaching “The Brain Wave” dance [08:19–09:02]
• Trusty’s admission: "I really put the breaking in breakdancing" [21:44]
• Fun fact: Even famous sports athletes use dance for training [06:46–07:18]
• Friendly banter and encouragement: "If you ever want to add more dance skills... keep learning about different types of dancing." [21:04]

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Key Timestamps

• 00:47 – 01:51: Trusty introduces his dance struggles
• 02:07 – 03:13: Terpsichore arrives and explains her name
• 04:53 – 06:46: The earliest history of dance
• 06:46 – 08:04: Dancing’s health and brain benefits
• 08:15 – 09:44: The “Brain Wave” dance lesson
• 10:26 – 11:38: Social and theatrical dance history
• 11:38 – 12:48: Ballet’s roots
• 13:07 – 13:59: Tap dance origins
• 18:06 – 19:27: Modern and jazz dance history
• 19:34 – 21:04: Hip hop and breakdancing emergence
• 21:04 – 21:58: Encouragement to try new and freestyle dancing

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Tone & Language

• Energetic, humorous, supportive, and interactive.
• The hosts use playful language, puns, and direct questions to the audience ("What do you think, smarty pants?") to keep kids engaged.
• Key educational content is delivered via fun dance breaks, easy-to-understand explanations, and jokes suitable for all ages.

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Summary Takeaway

“Who Invented Dancing?” makes it clear: dance is as old as humanity itself—used for celebration, storytelling, health, and fun in every culture. Whether you’re boogying at weddings, performing ballet in a theater, tap dancing, or breakdancing in the street, there’s no wrong way to move. And even if you have “two left feet,” dancing is for everyone—because the joy matters most.

Transcript

[Terpsichore]

D kong. In Donkey Kong Bonanza, you could smash through almost anything. Giant watermelon, easy solid rock. Save less. Explore the underground world by smashing to the planet's core as Donkey Kong and Pauline. Hold up. Are you hearing karts?

[Trusty]

All right.

[Terpsichore]

Race against your friends in Mario Kart World. Drive off walls, off the and over dinosaur. Sweet. You can power up your play on Nintendo Switch. Two additional accessories may be required for multiplayer mode, game system and some accessories sold separately. Game jointed E to E10 plus.

[Trusty]

And now it's time for who's smarted? 1, 2. 1, 2, 3, 4. 1, 2, 1, 2, 3, 4. Oh, yeah. Nailed it. Hey, smarty pants. As you can tell by the music, I am getting into the groove, working on my sick dance moves for the smarty party tonight. No, not that kind of sick. You know, busting some cool moves, getting down, shaking a leg, hitting the floor, breaking it down, getting my groove on, and of course, boogieing to the beat. Yep, I just love to dance. And I'm even going to a smartie dance party tonight. There's just one problem. I'm kind of terrible at it. I don't know what it is, but my rhythm always feels a little off. I make funny faces while I'm shaking my booty. And it looks and feels like I have two left feet, which means I'm a little clumsy on the dance floor or my living room. Whoa. Oh, sorry, Whiskers. Oh, boy.

[Terpsichore]

Hey, hey, hey. So you think you can't dance? Trusty, no rhythm, two left feet, no problem. I can help you with all of that. Whoa.

[Trusty]

Who are you?

[Terpsichore]

Well, I'm wearing an ancient Greek robe. I'm holding a lyre, which is a lovely string instrument. And check out my graceful dance moves.

[Trusty]

Holy smokes. You, my mysterious robed friend, are an amazing d. Hmm. Hold on a second. Ancient Greek robe plus lyre plus super sick dance moves. Are you, by any chance Terpsichore, the muse of dance from Greek mythology?

[Terpsichore]

You guessed it.

[Trusty]

Oh, wow. But also, you didn't happen to see me fall down when I was dancing and almost land on my cat, did you?

[Terpsichore]

Oh, don't worry, trusty. I've seen all kinds of things in my day. The important thing is you were having fun. In fact, my name, Terpsichore, means delight in dance.

[Trusty]

Oh, well, in that case, I am all about having fun. Busting moves. Whoa. And busting furniture. Sorry, Whiskers.

[Terpsichore]

Oh, don't worry. Like I said, I'm here to help. Did you know in Greek mythology, I'm one of the Nine goddesses that inspires an art or a science. I'm sort of the original dancing queen.

[Trusty]

Dancing queen. Wow, smarty pants. This is amazing. I've got an actual Greek goddess to help me work on my moves for the Smartie Dance party while also hopefully answering questions about dancing, like when did people start dancing and why? And how has dance changed throughout history? And how did different styles of dance evolve, like ballet, modern dance, jazz, and hip hop?

[Terpsichore]

Oh, I would love to answer questions about dance in between teaching you how to slide, glide and moonwalk without destroying your house trusty.

[Trusty]

Great. Then it's time to move and groove with another big whiff of science and history on who's smarted? Who's smarted? Who's smart? Is it you? Is it me? Is it science or history? Listen up, everyone. We make smarting lots of fun, but who's smarted? Okay, smartypants, we're smarting our way to the Smarty dance party with my new friend, Terp Sicori, the ancient Greek muse of dance. Before we get to the lessons, maybe we could start by answering the first question we all have on our minds and feet, which is, when did people start dancing? And why?

[Terpsichore]

Fabulous question. Let's begin at the beginning. Smarty pants. Do you know when dancing was first recorded in human history?

[Trusty]

What do you think, smarty pants? Was it 10,000 years ago, 1,000 years ago, or 100 years ago? Well, if you said 10,000 years ago, you're right. Wow, talk about some prehistoric dance moves. Did the woolly mammoth do the stomp?

[Terpsichore]

Ah, I don't know about all that. But I do know some of the oldest records of dancing were cave paintings. Paintings in India that showed people dancing that date back around, oh, 10,000 years. Around the same time, ancient rock paintings by the San people of southern Africa show dancers in different poses with bent knees and arms raised, which may have represented a ceremony to connect people to the spirit world. And the ancient Egyptians created the first written records of dance around 4,000 years ago ago.

[Trusty]

Wow. So dance was found in ancient cultures

[Terpsichore]

all around the world.

[Trusty]

Sounds like the earliest humans really liked to move it, move it.

[Terpsichore]

I like to move it, move it. Oh, yeah, you could say that. You could also say the first dances were ways for people to worship their gods and nature, as well as share and preserve stories and traditions. Before, get this, there was written language and celebrate happy events like weddings, military victories, and even the change of seasons celebration. Oh, and ancient Greeks like me believed dance was important for good health. Ooh.

[Trusty]

True or false, smarty pants? Scientists think dancing is good for you. The answer is true. Scientific studies have found that dancing improves muscle strength, balance, flexibility and heart health. In fact, a lot of famous sports athletes, including professional basketball players, hockey players and football players, incorporate dance into their training to help them stay on top of their games.

[Terpsichore]

Of course, it's important to remember that dancers themselves are also amazing athletes and that dancing makes your body strong and flexible.

[Trusty]

But what about your mind, smarty pants? True or false? Dancing can help boost your brain power and make you feel happier. The answer, surprisingly, is true. According to science, dancing is great for smarting. Learning dance steps, rhythms, patterns and timing strengthens memory and neuroplasticity, which is your brain's ability to adapt and grow. And dancing triggers the release of brain chemicals called endorphins, dopamine and serotonin, which are linked to happiness.

[Terpsichore]

Woo. Yes. I think that calls for a happy dance break slash lesson. I just came up with a dance move called the Brain Wave.

[Trusty]

Wow. I guess that's why they call you the Dance Museum. How does it go?

[Terpsichore]

Okay. Trusty, it's so easy. You're gonna do great. Here we go. First, tap your right foot. Just like that? Yes. Then tap your left foot. You got it. Then move your right arm across your body like a wave. Then let your left arm catch the wave. Circle your arms back around to the right. Then reach to the sky and clap, clap, clap. Woohoo. Then just repeat it.

[Trusty]

All right, smarty pants. If you're somewhere where you're able to dance, give it a try. And if you can't do it for any reason, no worries. Just sit back, listen and imagine yourself dancing. Ready, smarty pants? Cue the music.

[Terpsichore]

5, 6, 7, 8. Tap your right foot. Tap your left foot. Move your right arm across like a wave. Catch the wave with your left hand. Circle back to the right. Now hands in the air and clap, clap, clap. Woohoo.

[Trusty]

Wow. I gotta say, just doing this a few times, I feel happier already. What about you, smarty pants? Plus, I haven't destroyed any furniture yet. Let's not push our luck. That was super fun. And I gotta say, that was some sick choreography. Terpsichore, you're a great choreographer.

[Terpsichore]

Oh, thanks. But does everyone listening know what choreography is or what a choreographer does?

[Trusty]

Good question. Let's find out. Is a choreographer someone who plays an instrument, someone who makes up and teaches dances, or someone who plays music at a party?

[Terpsichore]

Well, while I am good at playing an instrument and playing music at a party, otherwise known as DJing. I know. So those are not the right answers. A choreographer makes up and teaches dance moves, and those set dance moves are known as choreography.

[Trusty]

Great job if you got that right, smarty pants. Now, while dancing may have started out as more of a ritual or a way to honor the gods, eventually dancing became something people did just for fun. Right?

[Terpsichore]

Great observation, trustee. Take the Middle Ages, for example. What is known as social dancing, where people dance together for fun and to celebrate, became very important at weddings, feasts, harvest festivals, religious holidays, and inside the courts of kings and queens.

[Trusty]

Ooh. Social dancing is what we do at the Smarty Dance party.

[Terpsichore]

After social dancing became popular, dancing evolved into an art form. During the Renaissance period, From the middle 1300s to the 1500s, royal courts staged pageants or shows that combined dance, music, costumes and drama to tell stories or celebrate special events. This type of dance is called theatrical dancing and includes ballet, which started over 500 years ago at big fancy parties for kings and queens.

[Trusty]

Nice. You know, I love ballet, and I'm sure some of the smarty pants study ballet. Question. Do you know where in the world ballet started, Smarties? Was it France, Russia, or Italy?

[Terpsichore]

Si regasi. Ballet started in the royal courts of Italy. Catherine de Medici, an Italian noblewoman who became the queen of France, brought ballet from Italy to France in the 1500s. She helped create one of the first ballet performances in 1581.

[Trusty]

And in France, King Louis XIV loved ballet too, and even performed in it himself. In 1661, he started the first formal dance school, the Academy Royale des Danse, AKA the Royal Academy of Dance in Paris, which is now called the Paris Opera Ballet. And in the 18th century, another royal Empress, Anna Pavlovna of Russia, the daughter of Peter the Great, recognized the importance of ballet too. She established ballet schools in Russia, which became a leading center for ballet.

[Terpsichore]

Yes, you could say ballet has royal roots, but there are so many other styles of dance to share with you in the smarty pants. Okay, for example, do you know what style of dance lets you make sounds and rhythms? Which is the patterns of sounds using the bottoms of your shoes.

[Trusty]

What do you think, smarty pants? Is it A, salsa, B, swing, or C, tap dance? The answer is, of course, tap dance. Yep, I just love making sounds with my two left feet. But, smarty pants, do you know how tap dancers are able to make such cool sounding taps?

[Terpsichore]

The answer is tap dancers wear special shoes with metal plates or taps on the bottom of the heels and toes. And when you move your feet, the metal taps make sounds almost like you're playing music with your feet.

[Trusty]

I love watching, listening to and doing tap dance. Of course, I'm only really good at the first two, but what I really want to know is when and where did tap dancing start?

[Terpsichore]

Oh, that's a good question. Compared to other types of dancing, tap dancing is relatively new. It was developed in the United States in the early 19th century from different dance traditions, including African rhythms and dances, Irish jigs and step dance, and English clog dancing. Many African American dancers like Bill Bojangles Robinson, Gregory Hines, and Savion Glover played a big role in making tap dance the amazing art form it is today.

[Trusty]

Wow. That's totally awesome. Get it? Toes tapping, tapping toes. No. Anyway, I'm curious what new dance styles were created more recently and by whom? We'll find out right after this quick break. And a word from our sponsors. Hey smarty parents. I have to tell you about something that's genuinely changed my life. I've been using the Skylight calendar for about three months now, and I am not exaggerating when I say it has completely transformed how we organize our household. Now, you've probably seen this thing all over social media and for good reason. Setting it up was so easy. Within minutes it was pulling in everybody's schedules into one place. We're talking calendars to do, lists, tracking systems, plus we can add recipes, notes. It's awesome. Everything's in one screen. Done. I love this thing so much that I'm already planning to give it as gifts to friends. That's how good it is. And for families with kids like you, the tasks feature turns chores and routines into something that's actually fun and rewarding for the kids. No more. I didn't know I had to do that. It syncs with Google Calendar, Apple Calendar, Outlook, and more. And if you're not 100% thrilled, you have four full months to return it for a full refund, no questions asked. Families are better when they're working together. Right now, Skylight is offering our listeners $30 off their 15 inch calendars by going to myskylight.com smarted go to myskylight.com smartED for $30 off your 15 inch calendar. That is my S K-Y-L-I G H T.com smarted hey, who smarted families trusty here. You know me, always here with the facts, the stories, the wild science. And today I have an extra special book series to introduce you to. Meet the investigators. Mango and Brash are two alligator secret agents who travel through the city sewers to fight crime and solve the most wonderfully Weird mysteries. If you love the puns and silly humor we throw at you on every episode of who Smarted, you're gonna feel right at home. It's basically who Smarted Energy in graphic novel form. Over 4 million copies have been sold worldwide. 4 million. Now there's nine books in the series, a special edition, and a spin off. So if you plow through books, this is basically a gift. And the newest case just dropped. Investigators, Whether or Not by John Patrick Green. Where the city's water supply has been replaced with milk. The rain is turning green and monkey scientists are causing chaos. So grab your copy of Investigators, whether or not at your local bookstore, library, or online today.

[Terpsichore]

Yeah.

[Trusty]

Can't open this jar of pickles.

[Terpsichore]

Let me try.

[Trusty]

Grandpa, you've clearly been drinking your milk. Milk can help you build muscles.

[Terpsichore]

Free. We're finally free.

[Trusty]

Wait, who said that milk can't stop pickles from coming alive. Now back to who Smarted. Okay, as we've heard, dancing goes back thousands of years. But while the concept of dancing is ancient, the various disciplines of dancing run the gamut from a long time ago to more recent, often due to pioneering dancers fusing or mixing different dance styles together.

[Terpsichore]

Oh, that's right, trusty. Many dancers put their own creative spin on dance, like Isadore Duncan, sometimes referred to as the mother of modern dance. She broke away from the formal style of ballet in the early 1900s and used natural movements inspired by ancient Greek art to express emotions and tell stories. Another dance legend named Martha Graham also pioneered modern dance. She believed every movement means something, and dance comes from inside you.

[Trusty]

Like when you feel the music and you just have to move.

[Terpsichore]

Yes, trusty. Like this. Now, pivot turn, jazz, square step, ball change, and all that jazz.

[Trusty]

Say, are you jazz dancing?

[Terpsichore]

Oh, did the jazz hands give it away? Jazz dance became popular in the 1920s and 30s. It started in African American communities, and the movements were influenced by jazz music. Early jazz dances included the Charleston and the Lindy Hop. And later, choreographers like Bob Fosse incorporated jazz dance into musical theater.

[Trusty]

That's definitely something to get jazzed about. What's next? Say, is that an old school boombox?

[Terpsichore]

That's right, smarty pants.

[Trusty]

A boombox is a portable stereo or music player device that people used to carry around in the late 1970s and 80s. It was very large and great for pumping up the volume and dropping old school beats.

[Terpsichore]

Okay, this is to help me demonstrate another genre of dance that started in the 1970s in the Bronx, New York. Okay, here, watch me throw down on this piece of cardboard.

[Trusty]

Whoa. You're not gonna believe this, smarty pants, but Terpsicori is flipping around on the floor, spinning on her hand, doing the worm, spinning on her back. And freeze. Any idea what style of dance this is, smarty pants?

[Terpsichore]

Whew. This is what's known as break dancing. It also involves popping, locking, and crumping all styles of hip hop dance. Young people created hip hop culture as a way to express themselves through dance music, DJing, graffiti art, and fashion. They created and practiced their moves at dance clubs, block parties, and their neighborhoods, and in dance battles.

[Trusty]

Battles? Like where people fight each other with weapons to see who's victorious?

[Terpsichore]

Yes and no. Dance battles are friendly competitions where dancers take turns showing off their moves. They don't battle with weapons, but instead with their dancing skills.

[Trusty]

Gotcha. I think I learned a few new dance skills today. And, smarty pants, if you ever want to add more dance skills to your repertoire, which means all the dance moves or routines that you know, then keep learning about different types of dancing. After all, there are tons of different dance styles from all over the world, and each one reveals something special about the culture, history, and traditions of of the people who created it.

[Terpsichore]

Or you can try freestyle dancing, which is when you make up your own unique dance moves.

[Trusty]

Who knows? You may even create your own dance style. Here, check this out.

[Terpsichore]

Oh, nice. Go trusty. Go trustee. Go trusty.

[Trusty]

I'm doing it. I'm dancing. I'm dancing. I'm. Whoops. Yep, I really put the breaking and breakdancing. Oh, well, I still have fun and

[Terpsichore]

that's all that matters.

[Trusty]

A big shout out to Mirabel, her sister Mary Lynn, and their mom Christy in Lorton, Virginia. Thanks so much for being part of our Smartie family. I am so happy to hear that you think the trusty narrator is super duper funny and cool. Well, I think you all are super duper awesome, smarty pants. And I'm happy to have you smarting with us this episode. Dancing was written by Leanne Foxtrot French and voiced by Aaron Jazz Ballet, Yemen and Jerry Colber. Technical direction and sound design by Josh Hip Hop Han. Our associate producer is Max Chacha Kamasky. The theme song is by Swinging Brian Suarez with lyrics written and performed by Adam Belly Dance Davis, who Smarted was created and produced by Adam Tex Davis and Jerry Colber. This has been an Atomic audio production. Too. Smart and.