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Wow! I Never Knew That!

Wow! I Never Knew That!

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This series digs into the origins of everyday objects, common phrases, popular games, and traditions. Each episode features anywhere from 15 to 20 subjects, from famous items like the Slinky to conveniences taken for granted, such as the elevator. Host Jeff "JJ" Johnson tells viewers the curious and fascinating facts about the origins of the highlighted topics.

Digital image of an open manhole cover being projected across a grid of screens in a dark room with blue laser lights. Caption. You see, the round shape makes it a safety cover.
Wow! I Never Knew That!
Episode 1
10 minutes 53 seconds
Grade Level: 7 - 12
Image of a basket of peaches being projected across a grid of screens in a dark room with blue laser lights. Caption. Yep, that's how the game of basketball originally started.
Wow! I Never Knew That!
Episode 2
10 minutes 7 seconds
Grade Level: 7 - 12
2 feet wearing red and white basketball shoes on a wooden floor with a basketball to the left. 2 hands reach down and tie the shoelaces on the right foot. Caption. Grabbing the ends of both shoe laces and pulling real hard.
Wow! I Never Knew That!
Episode 4
10 minutes 52 seconds
Grade Level: 7 - 12
Closeup of a yellow bowl full of white popcorn kernels against a black background. Caption. And in just minutes you are enjoying.
Wow! I Never Knew That!
Episode 6
10 minutes 54 seconds
Grade Level: 7 - 12
Image of the chest of a person in a military uniform with a tan bullet-proof vest holding a black handgun held close projected across a grid of screens in a dark room with blue laser lights. Caption. There's a 10 72 on the scene.
Wow! I Never Knew That!
Episode 7
10 minutes 21 seconds
Grade Level: 7 - 12
Woman with dark hair and wearing a pink polo shirt leans against a wooden railing on a bridge over a stream. She looks at a smiling man in a green sweater sitting on the railing. Caption. Just cut to the chase?
Wow! I Never Knew That!
Episode 8
10 minutes 6 seconds
Grade Level: 7 - 12
Tilted view of an oven full of red-hot coals surround by tan bricks. Caption. I'm talking about America's first pizzeria.
Wow! I Never Knew That!
Episode 10
9 minutes 46 seconds
Grade Level: 7 - 12
Low-angle view of a steam engine pulling several open passenger cars across a tall wooden bridge with fall colored trees behind it and green hills beneath it. Caption. Planes, trains, automobiles, and boats?
Wow! I Never Knew That!
Episode 15
10 minutes 15 seconds
Grade Level: 7 - 12
Black and white photo of several white Band-Aids with black animal prints lined up vertically on a black background. Distributed amongst them are several Band-Aids shaped like stars, hearts, and flowers. Caption. Invented something we all use to patch ourselves up.
Wow! I Never Knew That!
Episode 17
10 minutes 14 seconds
Grade Level: 7 - 12
Image of a sign with pink lettering that reads, "Cotton Candy," being projected across a grid of screens in a dark room with blue laser lights. Caption. So, how did this feathery goodness spin to life?
Wow! I Never Knew That!
Episode 18
10 minutes 18 seconds
Grade Level: 7 - 12
Black and white closeup of a right hand holding a pencil while the left hand holds down a piece of paper with lots of lines and text printed on it. Caption. You need to find a loophole.
Wow! I Never Knew That!
Episode 19
9 minutes 53 seconds
Grade Level: 7 - 12
Image of the chest of a person wearing a black tuxedo jacket over a white textured matching necktie and vest being projected across a grid of screens in a dark room with blue laser lights. Caption. No special occasion would be complete without a tuxedo.
Wow! I Never Knew That!
Episode 20
9 minutes 45 seconds
Grade Level: 7 - 12
Old-style radio microphone digitally blending with a bright yellow and red background full of icons of musical notes. Caption. It is not as popular as this one.
Wow! I Never Knew That!
Episode 21
9 minutes 43 seconds
Grade Level: 7 - 12
Many images in a grid. The center image is of a traffic light pole surrounded by various traffic signs with a red brick building behind and encircled with a neon blue light. Caption. How does this term relate to traffic violations?
Wow! I Never Knew That!
Episode 22
10 minutes 33 seconds
Grade Level: 7 - 12
Grainy image of dust and smoke from an explosion on a hill with 2 towers connected by wires visible. Caption. Here's something you get a blast out of.
Wow! I Never Knew That!
Episode 23
10 minutes 12 seconds
Grade Level: 7 - 12
Wooden crossbeam resting on 2 wooden posts with strips of beef draped across it in partially grassy field while people stand in the background. Caption. But why is dried beef called jerky?
Wow! I Never Knew That!
Episode 24
10 minutes 36 seconds
Grade Level: 7 - 12
Computer-generated image of a silver tin can sitting on a gas burner with high blue flames on a black-tiled surface. Caption. To a specific temperature and then cools them quickly.
Wow! I Never Knew That!
Episode 25
9 minutes 41 seconds
Grade Level: 7 - 12
Image of a loaf of sliced bread on a white background made to look like its on a blue digital screen inside a computer with blue laser lights. Caption. Had an idea to build a machine that could slice bread.
Wow! I Never Knew That!
Episode 26
10 minutes 35 seconds
Grade Level: 7 - 12