Paper Boys

Episode 92

What happened to the mice of Universe 25? (Bonus episode)

The strange true story that inspired the Rats of NIMH...

What happens when you give a scientist, obsessed with biblical death, near unlimited control over a utopian city of mice? Well…a lot of death, it turns out. In the 1960’s and 70’s, Dr. John Calhoun created what should have been a perfect mouse city - unlimited food, shelter, and water with no predators or inclement weather. Then he let nature run its course. Within a few years, the city was in ruins. Listen in as we dive into the research paper detailing exactly what happened to the mice in Universe 25, from meteoric rise to tragic demise.

Check out Dr. Calhoun’s article here and an Atlas Obscura article here.

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