The Story Behind: The Extraordinary History Behind Ordinary Objects

Discover the Surprising History of Ordinary Things

"Emily magically weaves a vibrant history of simple everyday objects we often take for granted. The Story Behind will surprise and delight..." ─Deana Marie, Creator & Host of the Twisted Philly podcast

#1 Best Seller in Trivia & Fun Facts, Art History, Design History & Criticism, Reference, Decorative Arts & Design, and History of Technology

Learn the fascinating history and trivia you never knew about things we use daily, from the host of The Story Behind podcast.

Everyday objects and major events in history. Every single thing that surrounds us has a story behind it. Many of us learn the history of humans and the major inventions that shaped our world. But what you may not have learned is the history of objects we surround ourselves with every day. You might not even know how the major events in history (World Wars, ancient civilizations, revolutions, etc.) influenced the inventions of things we use today.

The history and science behind the ordinary. From the creator of The Story Behind podcast comes one of the coolest coffee table books ever written. The Story Behind provides insight into everyday objects we don’t think much about as we use them. Topics covered in Emily’s podcast are examined in more detail along with new fascinating topics. Learn how lollipops got started in Ancient Egypt, how podcasts were invented, and why Comic Sans was created. Learn the torture device origins of certain exercise equipment and the espionage beginnings of certain musical instruments. Ordinary things from science to art, food to sports, customs to fashion, and more are explored.

Inside:

• Learn obscure history and fun facts and change the way you see the world
• Discover how major historic events still affect us today
• Become a formidable trivia master

If you have enjoyed books such as Now I Know, What If?, Ever Wonder Why?, The Greatest Stories Never Told, or Atlas Obscura; you will be entertained by The Story Behind.

Emily Peck Prokop received her B.S. in Journalism from Southern Connecticut State University, and is currently a podcast producer and editor. When she discovered podcasting as a hobby, she finally found an outlet for the random information she collected that she loved to randomly bring up in conversations. While she never considered herself a history buff, she found it was easier to remember when put into the context of fascinating stories related to things that came about in today’s world. She’s been featured in numerous podcasts and enjoys getting behind the mic whenever she can. She lives in Connecticut with her husband, two kids, and two cats -- all of whom get tired of hearing her start sentences with “I learned on a podcast …”