This week we learn about Uncle Sam's predecessor Brother Jonathan, and how America's mascot for itself evolved between the Revolutionary and Civil Wars. A listener email explains the importance of a finely carved 2000 year old statue of the Buddha recently found in Egypt.

Episode Tabs:

Before America Got Uncle Sam, It Had to Endure Brother Jonathan

https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/brother-jonathan-uncle-sam

Listener Tabs:

Berenike Buddha

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berenike_Buddha

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This week we learn how a rejected Belgian inventor's obsession with creating new instruments eventually led to the creation of one of the great American art forms. A listener email explains how bikes were used to smuggle drugs in the Netherlands.

Episode Tabs:

It was banned by the Nazis, Stalin and the Vatican. This is the surprising history of the saxophone

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-02-25/saxophone-history-of-musical-instrument-brutal-and-beautiful/11960922

Listener Tabs:

CONTRABAND AND SMUGGLERS’ OBJECTS

https://www.bdmuseum.nl/en/collectie/smokkelobjecten/

Email your closed tab submissions to: 500opentabs@gmail.com

Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/500OpenTabs

500 Open Tabs Wiki: https://500-open-tabs.fandom.com/wiki/500_Open_Tabs_Wiki

500 Open Roads (Google Maps episode guide): https://maps.app.goo.gl/Tg9g2HcUaFAzXGbw7

Continue the conversation by joining us on Discord! https://discord.gg/8px5RJHk7a

Get 40% off an annual subscription to Nebula by going to nebula.tv/500opentabs

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week we conclude the story of controversial comic artist Mike Diana whose run in with the law eventually ends up with him being taken to trial with charges of obscenity. A listener email explains how the how until recently, nipples in comics were considered taboo.

Episode Tabs:

Author of pedophile guide arrested on Florida obscenity charge

https://archive.ph/20130203144830/http://www.tampabay.com/news/courts/criminal/article1141156.ece

Listener Tabs:

A First for Prince Valiant

https://aprincenamedvaliant.blogspot.com/2018/04/a-first-for-prince-valiant.html?m=1

Email your closed tab submissions to: 500opentabs@gmail.com

Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/500OpenTabs

500 Open Tabs Wiki: https://500-open-tabs.fandom.com/wiki/500_Open_Tabs_Wiki

500 Open Roads (Google Maps episode guide): https://maps.app.goo.gl/Tg9g2HcUaFAzXGbw7

Continue the conversation by joining us on Discord! https://discord.gg/8px5RJHk7a

Get 40% off an annual subscription to Nebula by going to nebula.tv/500opentabs

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.