Deep Dive: 1937’s Turning Point: Tolkien’s Hobbit, H.G. Wells’ Vision, and a 7hr10m Lifesaver Record - September 21, 2025
Hosts Daniel Grove and Kara Swift explore the 1937 publication of The Hobbit and its world-building legacy, take a closer look at H.G. Wells’ role in shaping science fiction as social critique, and react to the oddly specific world record of keeping a Lifesaver in the mouth for 7 hours 10 minutes.
In this Deep Dive episode, our hosts discuss the publication of J.R.R. Tolkien's The Hobbit, the birthday and legacy of H.G. Wells, and a quirky endurance record about a Lifesaver candy.
- 📜 On this day in 1937 the U.K. publication of The Hobbit introduced Bilbo Baggins and launched the expansive Middle-earth saga, a masterclass in world-building that shifted how readers engage with fictional worlds.
- 🎂 We celebrate H.G. Wells (born 1866) and take a deeper look at how his novels like The War of the Worlds and The Time Machine used speculative fiction as social and ethical critique, anticipating modern debates about technology and society.
- 💡 Fact of the day: the world record for keeping a Lifesaver in the mouth with the hole intact is 7 hrs 10 min — a curious, precisely measured endurance feat that reframes what we consider noteworthy achievements.
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🎧 Subscribe for more insights.
- 📜 On this day in 1937 the U.K. publication of The Hobbit introduced Bilbo Baggins and launched the expansive Middle-earth saga, a masterclass in world-building that shifted how readers engage with fictional worlds.
- 🎂 We celebrate H.G. Wells (born 1866) and take a deeper look at how his novels like The War of the Worlds and The Time Machine used speculative fiction as social and ethical critique, anticipating modern debates about technology and society.
- 💡 Fact of the day: the world record for keeping a Lifesaver in the mouth with the hole intact is 7 hrs 10 min — a curious, precisely measured endurance feat that reframes what we consider noteworthy achievements.
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🎧 Subscribe for more insights.
Creators and Guests
Producer
Chad Thompson
Chad Thompson is the producer of Neural Newscast, bringing his expertise in technology, cybersecurity, media production, DJing, music production, and radio broadcasting to deliver high-quality, engaging news content. A futurist and early adopter, Chad has a deep passion for innovation, storytelling, and automation, ensuring that Neural Newscast stays at the forefront of modern news delivery. With a background in security operations and a career leading cyber defense teams, he combines technical acumen with creative vision to produce informative and compelling broadcasts. In addition to producing the podcast, Chad creates its original music, blending his technical expertise with his creative talents to enhance the show's unique sound. Outside of Neural Newscast, Chad is a dedicated father, electronic music enthusiast, and builder of creative projects, always exploring new ways to merge technology with storytelling.
