The Origin Of Things

U • History • Education • Business

Powered By EPIC ON. The Origin of Things or TOOT for short is a podcast hosted by Deepak Gopalakrishnan AKA Chuck. You might have heard him on another IVM show called Simblified, but on the much shorter and crisper TOOT he focuses on the origin story of various things. For starters, were going to be looking at the origin stories of world famous brands. But theres a catch Chuck will tell you the fascinating story, little by little dropping some hints, but the brand is only revealed at the very end. Will you be able to beat Chuck at guessing the brand Find out by tuning into a new episode every Wednesday on the IVM Podcasts Network.

Ep. 00: Introduction

1 min 42 sec

The Origin of Things or TOOT for short is a podcast hosted by Deepak Gopalakrishnan AKA Chuck. You might have heard him on another IVM show called Simblified, but on the much shorter and crisper TOOT he focuses on the origin story of various things....
Ep. 01: A story about Maunsel & Edmund

6 min 14 sec

A story of generosity, war, and a recipe. You can listen to this show and other awesome shows on the IVM Podcasts app on Android:or iOS:, or any other podcast app. You can check out our website at
Ep. 02: The Company that Thomas Built

5 min 1 sec

A story of an industrious town, the effect of war and employee benefits before it was cool. You can listen to this show and other awesome shows on the IVM Podcasts app on Android:or iOS:, or any other podcast app. You can check out...
Ep. 03: A Scotsman from the Hills

5 min 39 sec

A story of hills, college memories and a deadly encounter. You can listen to this show and other awesome shows on the IVM Podcasts app on Android:or iOS:, or any other podcast app. You can check out our website at
Ep. 04: His Most Famous Drink

5 min 55 sec

A story of purity, an outdated beverage, and a business deal. You can listen to this show and other awesome shows on the IVM Podcasts app on Android:or iOS:, or any other podcast app. You can check out our website at
Ep. 05: We Have a Dog To Thank For This

5 min 57 sec

A story of a fundraiser, a dog, and serendipity. You can listen to this show and other awesome shows on the IVM Podcasts app on Android:or iOS:, or any other podcast app. You can check out our website at
Ep. 06: The Need to Adapt

6 min 43 sec

A story of a paper factory, the Soviets and fish. You can listen to this show and other awesome shows on the IVM Podcasts app on Android:or iOS:, or any other podcast app. You can check out our website at
Ep. 07: A Short Story about Pornography

7 min 21 sec

A story of the early internet, smut and an unlikely investment You can listen to this show and other awesome shows on the IVM Podcasts app on Android:or iOS:, or any other podcast app. You can check out our website at
Ep. 08: The Young Man Who (Kinda) Sold Drugs

8 min 45 sec

A story about priests, traders and education. You can listen to this show and other awesome shows on the IVM Podcasts app on Android:or iOS:, or any other podcast app. You can check out our website at
Ep. 09: Anything For Love

6 min 40 sec

A story about space, an affair and education. You can listen to this show and other awesome shows on the IVM Podcasts app on Android:or iOS:, or any other podcast app. You can check out our website at
Ep. 10: A Short Episode, About an Old Brand.

2 min 11 sec

A story about a chef, nourishment and a little time. You can listen to this show and other awesome shows on the IVM Podcasts app on Android:or iOS:, or any other podcast app. You can check out our website at
Ep. 11: The Most Influential Woman You've Never Heard Of

6 min 25 sec

A story about a tabloid, a golddigger and inspiration You can listen to this show and other awesome shows on the IVM Podcasts app on Android:or iOS:, or any other podcast app. You can check out our website at
Ep. 12: It’s All Fake News!

6 min 26 sec

A story about an immigrant, exaggeration and recognition. You can listen to this show and other awesome shows on the IVM Podcasts app on Android:or iOS:, or any other podcast app. You can check out our website at
Ep. 13: They Probably Just Needed A Little PR

8 min 49 sec

A story of shopping carts, ruthlessness and one heck of a pivot. You can listen to this show and other awesome shows on the IVM Podcasts app on Android:or iOS:, or any other podcast app. You can check out our website at
Ep. 14: The Online Dating Company That Didn’t Make It.

4 min 37 sec

A story of failure, a pivot and Janet Jackson. You can listen to this show and other awesome shows on the IVM Podcasts app on Android:or iOS:, or any other podcast app. You can check out our website at
Ep. 15: Where there’s a Will… And Daniel, Herman, Julius and Alexander

8 min 16 sec

A story about clocks, efficiency and thinking. You can listen to this show and other awesome shows on the IVM Podcasts app on Android:or iOS:, or any other podcast app. You can check out our website at
Ep. 16: Infamous Last Words

6 min 23 sec

A story of a troubled childhood, murder and a deadline. You can listen to this show and other awesome shows on the IVM Podcasts app on Android:or iOS:, or any other podcast app. You can check out our website at
Ep. 17: A Picture Of Two Friendships

5 min 50 sec

A story about a dress, a college tour and an awards night. You can listen to this show and other awesome shows on the IVM Podcasts app on Android:or iOS:, or any other podcast app. You can check out our website at
Ep. 18: Buy One, Get Something Free

6 min 4 sec

A story of soap, a salesman and freebies. You can listen to this show and other awesome shows on the IVM Podcasts app on Android:or iOS:, or any other podcast app. You can check out our website at
Ep. 19: That Unique Run-Up

7 min 24 sec

A story of a bowler, a cricket club and an incredible legacy. You can listen to this show and other awesome shows on the IVM Podcasts app on Android:or iOS:, or any other podcast app. You can check out our website at
Ep. 20: The Man Who Revolutionized Fuel.

5 min 55 sec

A story of Brazil, the great depression and World War 2. You can listen to this show and other awesome shows on the IVM Podcasts app on Android:or iOS:, or any other podcast app. You can check out our website at
Ep. 21: A Very Different Kind Of Pivot

7 min 37 sec

A story about an adventurous young man, a road trip and music. You can listen to this show and other awesome shows on the IVM Podcasts app on Android:or iOS:, or any other podcast app. You can check out our website at
Ep. 22: The European company that could change… Everything

7 min 17 sec

A story about oil, an American executive and much murkiness. You can listen to this show and other awesome shows on the IVM Podcasts app on Android:or iOS:, or any other podcast app. You can check out our website at
Ep. 23: A Bank That Truly Changed The Rules

4 min 44 sec

A story of achievement, awards and change. You can listen to this show and other awesome shows on the IVM Podcasts app on Android:or iOS:, or any other podcast app. You can check out our website at
Ep. 24: Starstarstarstarstar

6 min 10 sec

A story of standards, a compromise and ubiquity You can listen to this show and other awesome shows on the IVM Podcasts app on Android:or iOS:, or any other podcast app. You can check out our website at
Ep. 25: How far can an underwear company go?

6 min 47 sec

A story about clothing, entertainment and aspiration. is a website that still exists. If you go there, you are greeted with a cheerful message. You can listen to this show and other awesome shows on the IVM Podcasts app on Android:or...
Breaking News!

3 min 29 sec

A story about a small announcement, a temporary milestone and gratitude. You can listen to this show and other awesome shows on the IVM Podcasts app on Android:or iOS:, or any other podcast app. You can check out our website at
Ep. 26: About a great Indian Artist

7 min 42 sec

A story of talent, mischief and my thought process.The Origin Of Things is back Thank you to everyone who wrote in to me, asking when I would be restarting this.
Ep. 27: The biggest irony of all time

7 min 9 sec

A story of ambitious home experiments, a pathbreaking innovation, and inspiration.
Ep. 28: www.thomasandfrankscompany.com

7 min 44 sec

A story about ownership, journalistic integrity and website traffic.The Origin Of Things is back Thank you to everyone who wrote in to me, asking when I would be restarting this. I hope you enjoy the new season.
Ep. 29: Let’s talk about brands from unusual places

7 min 17 sec

A story about medicine, an unlikely alliance and coexistence.
Ep. 30: Showbiz Must Go On

7 min 22 sec

A spaghetti salesman, a floor sweeper, and the son of a truck driver.
Live TOOT recording coming up: 18 July, 7 PM IST

2 min 27 sec

Aaand were doing this, againThe last time we did this, it worked out quite nicely. So lets do another one
Ep. 31: A Family Business… Pivots (And How!)

8 min

A story of conquests, heritage, and a chance encounter.The Origin Of Things is back Thank you to everyone who wrote in to me, asking when I would be restarting this. I hope you enjoy the new season. This is one of the five new episodes that I did a l
Ep. 32: The Dark Pasts Of Something Bright

7 min 35 sec

A story of company loyalty, trade blockade and leftovers.The Origin Of Things is back Thank you to everyone who wrote in to me, asking when I would be restarting this. I hope you enjoy the new season.
Ep. 33: The Company Without Whom Nothing Would Happen

7 min 38 sec

A story of really small things, scale and ubiquity.The Origin Of Things is back Thank you to everyone who wrote in to me, asking when I would be restarting this. I hope you enjoy the new season.
Ep. 34: Utterly Margarinely Delicious

9 min 34 sec

A story of mergers, a cheap substitute, and world domination.
Ep. 35: A Bartender, An Artist and Two People Who Changed

8 min 6 sec

The story of a bartender, an artist and people who changed their lives.The Origin Of Things is back Thank you to everyone who wrote in to me
Ep. 36: What’s in a name?

6 min 59 sec

A story of a radio station, a magazine, and tennis.The Origin Of Things is back Thank you to everyone who wrote in to me, asking when I would be restarting this. I hope you enjoy the new season. This is one of the five new episodes that I did a live s
Announcement - More Episodes, Coming Next Week!

4 min 20 sec

Hello everyone Sorry, Ive been away for so long, its just that a lot of things have been happening personally and professionally all good and I havent had the time to get to writing new episodes.
Ep. 37: All About a Little Grace

6 min 31 sec

A story about an immigrant, some policemen, and chickens. Thank you to Tamanna for providing the idea for this story.
Ep. 38: The (Second) Most Hated Thing to Come Out of World War 2

6 min 7 sec

A story about a thesis, the army and pain.About The Origin of ThingsThe Origin of Things is a weekly shortformat podcast run by Deepak Gopalakrishnan aka Chuck.
Ep. 39: It All Started with Needles

9 min 24 sec

A story of needles, saddles and manufacturing.About The Origin of ThingsThe Origin of Things is a weekly shortformat podcast run by Deepak Gopalakrishnan aka Chuck.Each episode deals with the origin of a popular brand, but with the name of the brand
Ep. 40: The Tinkerer & The Party Animal

8 min 24 sec

A story of invention, parties and hurt masculine pride. Thank you to Tamanna for the initial story research. About The Origin of ThingsThe Origin of Things is a weekly shortformat podcast run by Deepak Gopalakrishnan aka Chuck.
Ep. 41: A Seafarer’s Second Career

9 min 6 sec

A story of a man at sea, some Christian missionaries and the written word.About The Origin of ThingsThe Origin of Things is a weekly shortformat podcast run by Deepak Gopalakrishnan aka Chuck.
Ep. 42: A Vehicle Unlike Any Other

6 min 51 sec

A Story about Slick Marketing, Artificial Intelligence and Molybdenum. About The Origin of ThingsThe Origin of Things is a weekly shortformat podcast run by Deepak Gopalakrishnan aka Chuck.
Ep. 43: One Unlikely Invention, Another Very Heavy One

8 min 13 sec

The Origin of Things is a weekly shortformat podcast run by Deepak Gopalakrishnan aka Chuck.
Ep. 44: His biggest idea came to him in a bar

7 min 42 sec

The Origin of Things is a weekly shortformat podcast run by Deepak Gopalakrishnan aka Chuck.
Ep. 45: The grocery store that went and did all that!

6 min 40 sec

The Origin of Things is a weekly shortformat podcast run by Deepak Gopalakrishnan aka Chuck.Each episode deals with the origin of a popular brand, but with the name of the brand and often, category revealed
Ep. 46: The Evil and Good That Some Men Do

10 min 45 sec

The Origin of Things is a weekly shortformat podcast run by Deepak Gopalakrishnan aka Chuck.Each episode deals with the origin of a popular brand, but with the name of the brand and often, category revealed
Bonus Episode: Thank you (and I'd love to hear from you)

8 min 6 sec

A nonstory about gratitude, feedback and one heck of a rambleI would love to hear from you, about what you think of The Origin of Things. You guys make this show happen, really :
Ep. 47: Jeremy and His Games!

7 min 7 sec

A story of games, failures and turnarounds.The Origin of Things is a weekly shortformat podcast run by Deepak Gopalakrishnan aka Chuck.
Ep. 48: Jack’s Musical Group’s Biggest Hit

7 min 47 sec

A story of a performer, his audience and money.Huge shoutout to punvati for the idea and script for this episodeThe Origin of Things is a weekly shortformat podcast run by Deepak Gopalakrishnan aka Chuck.
Ep. 49: God Helps Those Who Help Others

6 min 13 sec

A story of a store, listening, and helping.The Origin of Things is a weekly shortformat podcast run by Deepak Gopalakrishnan aka Chuck.Each episode deals with the origin of a popular brand, but with the name of the
Ep. 50: Two Fierce Rivals, One Epic Collaboration

9 min 10 sec

A story of rivalry, friendship and lots of formulaeThe Origin of Things is a weekly shortformat podcast run by Deepak Gopalakrishnan aka Chuck.Each episode deals with the origin of a popular brand, but with the name of the brand and often, category
Bonus Episode: Getting Meta with Amit Varma

1 hr 32 min 49 sec

Hello there Im proud to announce a new show that Ive started, Getting Meta.
The song that became a symbol

6 min 9 sec

A shortformat podcast where I give you the origins, the backstories slightly dramatized but 100 true of things that you know, love, and use. I reveal what Im talking about only at the very end keeping you, the listener, guessing or so I hope. In the past two seasons, Ive done the origins of 50 brands. This season, we look at the origin of some of the greatest songs of all time.

Season 2 : Live Recording Coming Up!

5 min 30 sec

A story of a lazy writer, a brand new mic and a live episode.Yasssssssss The Origin of Things is finally backChuck has decided to stop pretending to be busy and has whipped out five episodes, and will bring them to you live on a recording on Saturday

The Origin of Things Season 3 : Introduction

2 min 19 sec

A shortformat podcast where I give you the origins, the backstories slightly dramatized but 100 true of things that you know, love, and use. I reveal what Im talking about only at the very end keeping you, the listener, guessing or so I hope. In the past two seasons, Ive done the origins of 50 brands. This season though, is slightly different. Tune in to see how.
About a girl’s message, one that changed everything.

7 min 2 sec

A shortformat podcast where I give you the origins, the backstories slightly dramatized but 100 true of things that you know, love, and use. I reveal what Im talking about only at the very end keeping you, the listener, guessing or so I hope. In the past two seasons, Ive done the origins of 50 brands. This season though, is slightly different. Tune in to see how.
The house that George built

5 min 42 sec

A shortformat podcast where I give you the origins, the backstories slightly dramatized but 100 true of things that you know, love, and use. I reveal what Im talking about only at the very end keeping you, the listener, guessing or so I hope. In the past two seasons, Ive done the origins of 50 brands. This season, we look at the origin of some of the greatest songs of all time.
One of the most famous names in rock music, finally spoke

5 min 30 sec

About The Origin of Things A shortformat podcast where I give you the origins, the backstories slightly dramatized but 100 true of things that you know, love, and use. I reveal what Im talking about only at the very end keeping you, the listener, guessing or so I hope. In the past two seasons, Ive done the origins of 50 brands. This season, we look at the origin of some of the greatest songs of all time.
Next patient, please.

6 min 32 sec

A story of the most famous doctor youve never heard of
A church pianist’s greatest moment

6 min 47 sec

A shortformat podcast where I give you the origins, the backstories slightly dramatized but 100 true of things that you know, love, and use. I reveal what Im talking about only at the very end keeping you, the listener, guessing or so I hope. In the past two seasons, Ive done the origins of 50 brands. This season, we look at the origin of some of the greatest songs of all time.
Where the stars were at

7 min 17 sec

A shortformat podcast where I give you the origins, the backstories slightly dramatized but 100 true of things that you know, love, and use. I reveal what Im talking about only at the very end keeping you, the listener, guessing or so I hope. In the past two seasons, Ive done the origins of 50 brands. This season, we look at the origin of some of the greatest songs of all time.
A singer and a baseball player.

6 min 40 sec

A shortformat podcast where I give you the origins, the backstories slightly dramatized but 100 true of things that you know, love, and use. I reveal what Im talking about only at the very end keeping you, the listener, guessing or so I hope. In the past two seasons, Ive done the origins of 50 brands. This season, we look at the origin of some of the greatest songs of all time.
A classical musician meets a cult movie director

12 min 26 sec

A shortformat podcast where I give you the origins, the backstories slightly dramatized but 100 true of things that you know, love, and use. I reveal what Im talking about only at the very end keeping you, the listener, guessing or so I hope. In the past two seasons, Ive done the origins of 50 brands. This season, we look at the origin of some of the greatest songs of all time.
He was in love. Madly in love.

8 min 20 sec

About The Origin of Things A shortformat podcast where I give you the origins, the backstories slightly dramatized but 100 true of things that you know, love, and use. I reveal what Im talking about only at the very end keeping you, the listener, guessing or so I hope. In the past two seasons, Ive done the origins of 50 brands. This season, we look at the origin of some of the greatest songs of all time.
His most famous audience

8 min 26 sec

A shortformat podcast where I give you the origins, the backstories slightly dramatized but 100 true of things that you know, love, and use. I reveal what Im talking about only at the very end keeping you, the listener, guessing or so I hope. In the past two seasons, Ive done the origins of 50 brands. This season, we look at the origin of some of the greatest songs of all time.
A musician, and a stripper

9 min 36 sec

A shortformat podcast where I give you the origins, the backstories slightly dramatized but 100 true of things that you know, love, and use. I reveal what Im talking about only at the very end keeping you, the listener, guessing or so I hope. In the past two seasons, Ive done the origins of 50 brands. This season, we look at the origin of some of the greatest songs of all time.
What does that word even mean?!

7 min 30 sec

A shortformat podcast where I give you the origins, the backstories slightly dramatized but 100 true of things that you know, love, and use. I reveal what Im talking about only at the very end keeping you, the listener, guessing or so I hope. In the past two seasons, Ive done the origins of 50 brands. This season, we look at the origin of some of the greatest songs of all time.
You know exactly what’s coming… Or do you?

9 min 15 sec

A shortformat podcast where I give you the origins, the backstories slightly dramatized but 100 true of things that you know, love, and use. I reveal what Im talking about only at the very end keeping you, the listener, guessing or so I hope. In the past two seasons, Ive done the origins of 50 brands. This season, we look at the origin of some of the greatest songs of all time.
The hit no one wanted

6 min 12 sec

It was a huge project. But was it what the musicians wanted About The Origin of Things A shortformat podcast where I give you the origins, the backstories slightly dramatized but 100 true of things that you know, love, and use. I reveal what Im talking about only at the very end keeping you, the listener, guessing or so I hope. In the past two seasons, Ive done the origins of 50 brands. This season, we look at the origin of some of the greatest songs of all time.
Alienation

7 min 22 sec

A shortformat podcast where I give you the origins, the backstories slightly dramatized but 100 true of things that you know, love, and use. I reveal what Im talking about only at the very end keeping you, the listener, guessing or so I hope. In the past two seasons, Ive done the origins of 50 brands. This season, we look at the origin of some of the greatest songs of all time.
A song of hope

7 min 59 sec

A shortformat podcast where I give you the origins, the backstories slightly dramatized but 100 true of things that you know, love, and use. I reveal what Im talking about only at the very end keeping you, the listener, guessing or so I hope. In the past two seasons, Ive done the origins of 50 brands. This season, we look at the origin of some of the greatest songs of all time.