Curious Nebraska

Nebraska Public Media
  • 5.0 (4)
  • HISTORY
  • UPDATED MONTHLY

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

  1. 5D AGO

    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

  2. NOV 15

    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

  3. OCT 18

    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

  4. SEP 20

    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

  5. AUG 16

    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

  6. JUL 19

    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

  7. JUN 21

    Norfolk vs. Norfork

    It should be pretty easy to pronounce Norfolk, Nebraska, right?? Nebraska Public Media producer Andy Hermann dives into why saying the town's name isn't as simple as it seems. Guests, in order of appearance: Jeffrey Steffen, general manager, WJAG radio; Sheryl Schmeckpeper, author, "Norfolk, Nebraska: The First 150 Years"; Libby McKay, executive director, Elkhorn Valley Museum. Music: "No Not Much" by The Smoke Ring. Additional audio: "Johnny Goes Home (1982)", NBC special.

    5 min

  8. MAY 17

    VISE-GRIP Tools

    Check your toolbox after this story to make sure you have the innovative hand tool that was invented in DeWitt a century ago. The VISE-GRIP, or locking plier calls Nebraska home. Nebraska Public Media producer Andy Hermann has the gripping story. Guests, in order of appearance: Kirby Taylor, Program Chair, Precision Machining and Automation Technology, Southeast Community College; Marcia Bergmeyer, granddaughter of William S. Petersen; Joyce Holtmeier, granddaughter of William S. Petersen; Larry Wattjes, former mechanical maintenance engineer, Petersen Manufacturing; Lois Wattjes, Vice President, DeWitt Historical Society.

    4 min
See All (14)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

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

Information

  • Creator
    Nebraska Public Media
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    14
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright Nebraska Public Media
  • Show Website
    Curious Nebraska

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