Curious Nebraska

Nebraska Public Media

Curious Nebraska is producer Andy Hermann's quest to figure out what makes Nebraska, Nebraska.

  1. 21 FEB

    Pickle Cards

    You've probably seen them in taverns across Nebraska... those small cards with pull tabs for instant winnings. In this report for Curious Nebraska, producer Andy Hermann set out to find how they came to be called pickle cards. Guests, in order of appearance: Evan Schrodek, new Nebraskan and pickle card enthusiast; Brian Rockey, Director, Nebraska Lottery and Charitable Gaming Division; Arlis Steiner, accounting and finance, Technik Mfg.; Doug Obal, sales and marketing, Technik Mfg.; John Adams, former regulator, Nebraska Department of Revenue & former general counsel, International Gamco.

    4 min

  2. 17 JAN

    National Museum of Roller Skating

    Nebraska is home to the only roller skating museum in the country... but the capital city doesn't have a rink! In this report for Curious Nebraska, producer Andy Hermann rolls through the National Museum of Roller Skating and asks how the sport disappeared from Lincoln. Guests, in order of appearance: Max McKillip, Archivist, National Museum of Roller Skating; Brent Benson, Operations Director, USA Roller Sports; Bob Hartsock, former manager, Skate Zone; Ember Hartsock, former manager, Skate Zone; Cassie Stout, former owner, Good Life Skate Center. Music: "Bounce, Rock, Skate, Roll Pt. 2" by Vaughan Mason and Crew. Additional audio: National Museum of Roller Skating's Self-Guided Tour; starting gun and speed roller skating sounds from Nebraska Nightly on Nebraska Public Radio (August 10, 1994). Special thanks to Alexis Scargill, Media Archivist, Nebraska Public Media.

    5 min

  3. 20/12/2025

    Harold "Doc" Edgerton

    From freezing a bullet in midair to shaping the future of photography, one Nebraska native changed how the world sees motion. Nebraska Public Media producer Andy Hermann shines a strobe light on Harold "Doc" Edgerton for Curious Nebraska. Guests, in order of appearance: Eric Edgerton, grandchild of Doc Edgerton; Sylvia Edgerton, grandchild of Doc Edgerton; Tina Larson, Executive Director of the Plainsman Museum; Mary Molliconi, Executive Director of the Edgerton Explorit Center. Additional audio: "Quicker 'n a Wink" (1940); "Late Night with David Letterman" (February 19, 1985); "Edgerton and his Incredible Seeing Machines" (1983).

    4 min

  4. 15/11/2025

    Evelyn Sharp

    Evelyn Sharp, a young woman from Nebraska, made her dream of flying a reality during the Great Depression. Nebraska Public Media producer Andy Hermann stays on the ground to file this report for Curious Nebraska. Guests, in order of appearance: Steffan Baker, Valley County Historical Society; Diane Ruth Armour Bartels, author, Sharpie: The Life Story of Evelyn Sharp - Nebraska's Aviatrix.

    4 min

  5. 18/10/2025

    Robber's Cave

    Why is there so much sandstone in Lincoln and why was a cave dug out of it in the 1860s? Nebraska Public Media producer Andy Hermann goes underground to file this report about Robber's Cave. Guests, in order of appearance: Joel Green, author, Robber’s Cave: Truths, Legends, Recollections; Cara Burberry, president, Nebraska Geological Society. Music: "Ghosts of Robber’s Cave" by Dorothy’s Dishes.

    4 min

  6. 20/09/2025

    Six-Man Football

    Football is big in Nebraska. But did you know a version of America's favorite sport was created here? Nebraska Public Media producer Andy Hermann is eligible to pass, run, and kick... to score the story about Six-Man Football and its inventor Stephen Epler. Guests, in order of appearance: Nate Neuhaus, Assistant Director, Nebraska School Activities Association; Charlotte Gezi, daughter of Six-Man Football inventor Stephen Epler; Richard Walter, former coach, master’s degree on Six-Man Football; Roger Crouse, Mayor, Chester, Nebraska. Additional audio: excerpts and music from 2024 NSAA D6 Football Championship (November 22, 2024) on News Channel Nebraska, with announcer Brandon Aksamit and color analyst Andy Classen.

    4 min

  7. 16/08/2025

    Kool-Aid... OH YEAH!

    Kool-Aid was invented in Nebraska? Oh yeah, it was! Edwin Perkins came up with it in Hastings, but its Nebraska roots go even deeper than that. Nebraska Public Media producer Andy Hermann busts through walls to get the story. Guests, in order of appearance: Linda Buck, Site Manager, Museum of the High Plains; Ryan Cramer, Curator, Cambridge Museum; Teresa Kreutzer-Hodson, Director, Hastings Museum; Dick Shoemaker, nephew of Kitty & Edwin Perkins; Chuck Shoemaker, nephew of Kitty & Edwin Perkins. Additional audio: excerpt from Nebraska Nightly on NET Radio (May 21, 1998), anchored by Nancy Finken. Special thanks to Alexis Scargill, Media Archivist, Nebraska Public Media.

    4 min

  8. 19/07/2025

    The Reuben Sandwich

    It's an undisputed fact that the Reuben sandwich was first put together in Nebraska. But what's the story? And who gets credit for its invention?? Nebraska Public Media producer Andy Hermann digs into the story. Guests, in order of appearance: Sarah Baker Hansen, food writer, Flatwater Free Press; Mary Bernstein, youngest daughter, Bernard Schimmel; Connie Shapiro, middle daughter Bernard Schimmel; Judy Weil, oldest daughter, Bernard Schimmel; Ed Kully, great-great nephew, Reuben Kulakofsky; Jay Kulakofsky, great-great-great nephew, Reuben Kulakofsky; Janie Kulakofsky, great-great niece-in-law, Reuben Kulakofsky. Music: "Let It Out (Let It All Hang Out)" by The Hombres. Additional audio: "Quiz Show" (1994).

    5 min
See All (16)

About

Curious Nebraska is producer Andy Hermann's quest to figure out what makes Nebraska, Nebraska.

Information

  • Creator
    Nebraska Public Media
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    16
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright Nebraska Public Media
  • Show Website
    Curious Nebraska

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