99% Invisible (What I Learned This Week)

Last week I mentioned the discovery of a new podcast called 99% Invisible. Well, this week I went on a binge listening to all their 40+ released podcasts so far (they are short, wonderful and easy to get hooked on). These are some of the things I learned from the podcasts: 

• The US Postal Service has only five art directors responsible for the design of all stamps produced. The Citizens Stamp Advisory Committee combs through nearly 50,000 suggestions per year offered by the general public for stamp designs. And yes, the submissions must be submitted in writing. You need a stamp to get a stamp done. 
• The Wheaton escalator, in one of DC’s metro stations, takes 3 minutes to ride. It is the world’s longest escalator. 
• The Hydrox cookie was launched 4 years before Oreo. It is made with better ingredients and yet we think of it as the lesser brand. 
• The Olympics have a sound designer on staff. 
• Privately Owned Public Open Spaces, or POPOS, are these little gardens, terraces, plazas, and seating areas that are private property, but are mandated for public use.