All Episodes

December 3, 2025 91 mins

This week we learn about the fascinating life of Russian inventor Leon Theremin, whose eponymous instrument led to the birth of electronic music and how San Francisco happily obliged a formerly successful South African businessman after he delcared himself Emperor of the United States. A listener mail tells us about the real birthplace of Captain Kirk.


Kaveh's Shop:

https://www.blacksmithfilms.com/store

Cat People

https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/hannah-hillam/cat-people/9780762486083/?lens=running-press


Episode Tabs:

Theremin, an Electric Odyssey

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fqAhSEbBHJA 

Emperor Norton

https://www.foundsf.org/Emperor_Norton


Listener Tabs:

Riverside, Iowa

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Riverside,_Iowa

Flight of the Blackbird

https://www.la-barraca.be/azyriab.pdf


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.

Mark as Played

Advertise With Us

Popular Podcasts

Stuff You Should Know
Dateline NBC

Dateline NBC

Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com

The Bobby Bones Show

The Bobby Bones Show

Listen to 'The Bobby Bones Show' by downloading the daily full replay.

Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

© 2025 iHeartMedia, Inc.