Skip to content
Artwork for Omnibus
HistorySociety & Culture

Omnibus

Omnibus

Every week, Ken Jennings and John Roderick add a new entry to the OMNIBUS, an encyclopedic reference work of strange-but-true stories that they are compiling as a time capsule for future generations.

Play
  • 28 episodes
  • weekly
  • Avg 1 hr 6 min
  • English
Counted on this page — what you have heard stays on this device, so it is not something the list can be paged by.
  • May 12 · 1 hr 31 min

    Operation Columba (Entry 869.GE0810)

    In which Futureling (and occasional magician’s assistant) Jennifer MacFarlane discusses pigeons and a family story from the southern Netherlands in the fall of 1944. Certificate #23861.

  • May 5 · 1 hr 9 min

    Doorbells (Entry 372.LU0207)

    In which comedian Lisa Lane and John revisit late 20th-century nostalgia, and what technology has done to the delicate art of knocking on strangers’ doors. Certificate #12881

  • April 28 · 1 hr 9 min

    General Mills (Entry 520.GE0615)

    In which comedian and writer Alex Falcone discusses weather balloons, broken arrows, and the most general of mills. Certificate #35593.

  • April 21 · 1 hr 28 min

    Nolan Bushnell (Entry 167.MA1323)

    In which an Atari founder turns borrowed ideas into a gaming empire, makes a killing, and launches Rick Rat’s Pizza—guided by Futureling Keli Boucher. Certificate #48560.

  • April 14 · 56 min

    The Cabinet of Doom (Entry 171.JE0814)

    In which Bob Crawford, author of America’s Founding Son: John Quincy Adams, from President to Political Maverick and bass player for The Avett Brothers, waxes on William Henry Harrison, John Tyler, and an unfortunately named Peacemaker. Certificate #34343.

  • April 7 · 1 hr 5 min

    The World's Largest Drum (Entry 144.CO0807)

    In which giant university marching drums, mythic African war drums, and even a Salvadoran bronze masterpiece take center stage — guided by Futureling Natalie Hudson. Certificate #31992.

  • March 31 · 54 min

    The Filibuster War (Entry 468.RE0602)

    In which Futureling Hugh Scott unpacks the saga of drifter, doctor, and self-declared president William Walker. Certificate #28903

Showing 21–28 of 28 episodes