The Margenes

On a moonlit night in 1960, a group of beachgoers chasing grunion in Southern California notice something odd riding the surf: tiny, straw‑colored circles that wiggle like doughnuts. When UCLA students Marge Hickin and Gene Towanda pick up a handful, they take the specimens to a marine biology lab, hoping to identify the baffling lifeforms. Scientists are perplexed—these creatures show movement but lack obvious organs, and their sheer numbers quickly overwhelm the traditional fish harvest.

The lab’s quick analysis reveals the circles are almost pure protein, packed with vitamins, carbs, and fats. A playful experiment—swallowing a few—turns into a startling discovery of a potential super‑food. As word spreads, the tiny organisms spark excitement and controversy, hinting at a new industry that could reshape food supply and even stir social upheaval. Listeners are invited to follow the early days of this unexpected revolution.