Wednesday, October 2, 2024

In today’s newsletter, we attach the elastic history of the bra, take our temperature (and find it is dropping); explore river dolphins ... and check into the world’s best hotels.

References go back to Homer’s Iliad. But you don’t need to be goddess Aphrodite to wear a bra—and generations of women have done so. Many generations. Many, many generations. 

What are the roots of the bra? Decorative? Sexual? Or simply supportive?  

Related: You’ve seen the ads. Do you know the history of underwear?

They are known for their long snouts, unfused vertebrae, long narrow dorsal fins—and tiny bristles that help them navigate the murky waters of the Amazon. But these endangered pink dolphins are also the biggest of their kind on the planet. How big do they get?  

A. Six feet long 
B. Nine feet long 
C. 12 feet long 
D. 15 feet long 

Related: This Nat Geo Explorer studies river dolphins to gauge the Amazon’s health

Yes, animals dream. But what do they dream? Scientists have a few clues. Which of the animal dreams below do we know is true?  

A. Rats practice running through mazes 
B. Cats envision future hunts in their head 
C. Dogs dream of dominating their owners 
D. A and B 
E. None of the above

Today’s Soundtrack: Dreams, Chappell Roan 

Thanks for reading today’s newsletter, which was edited and curated by David Beard and produced by Alec Egamov. Got an idea or suggestion for us? Let us know.