Blackbody Spectrum: 2 Questions Answered

[semiserious]

Hi all,
I have 2 questions related to the blackbody spectrum.
1 - If a blackbody emits (and absorbs) energy at all wavelengths equally, why does the spectrum look the way it does (i.e. why does it peak in intensity at a given wavelength?)
2 - The fact that the cosmic background radiation possesses a blackbody spectrum supposedly suggests that the universe had a hot origin. Why is this?

Thanks

 

[mathman]

Short answers:
1. Your assumption is incorrect. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_body
2. Big bang. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cosmic_microwave_background_radiation