Saturn in a baby-eating mood (Archive Photos/Getty Images)

Have you ever had a dream of flight? Sarah and I have, and we’re not the only ones. Monday’s podcast explored 10 attempts at one-person flight – and bungled attempts at that.

Thanks to a great article by Stuff from the B Side’s John Fuller, we learned about King Lear’s father (and his necromancy) and an archbishop’s castration. We also talked about why peasants might want to avoid personal flight-crazed clergymen and why you shouldn’t assemble a large crowd for your death-defying feat.

I don’t want to give too much away, so you’ll have to listen to the podcast to find out more.

Wednesday’s podcast was holiday themed. We knew Stuff You Should Know was going to talk about How Christmas Works, and Cristen and Molly of Stuff Your Mom Never Told You had Mrs. Claus covered. Sarah and I took a different route: the origins of Christmas in the winter solstice.

Saturnalia was a Roman festival honoring Saturn, the god of sowing. It was “the best of days,” according to Catullus — everyone’s favorite holiday. And there ain’t no party like a Saturnalia party, because a Saturnalia party don’t stop. It lasted for seven days. There is mention by Lucian of the feasting of slaves and the clapping of frenzied hands, along with some nude singing.

During the weeklong celebration, business, schools and courts were closed. Slaves wore their master’s clothing, party guests chose a Lord of Misrule and everyone put aside their formal togas for lighter garments.

So if you’d rather not dress up for yet another tacky Christmas party, you might consider breaking out your synthesis and celebrating Saturnalia. Io, Saturnalia! (And Merry Christmas, too.)

And in honor of brave human attempts at flight, let’s watch some wingsuit flying:

10 Bungled Attempts at One-person Flight
How Santa’s Elves Work
Did Nero really play the fiddle while Rome burned?
How Santa’s Sleigh Works