Ridiculous History
735 episodes - English - Latest episode: 13 days ago - ★★★★ - 4.1K ratingsHistory is beautiful, brutal and, often, ridiculous. Join Ben Bowlin and Noel Brown as they dive into some of the weirdest stories from across the span of human civilization in Ridiculous History, a podcast by iHeartRadio.
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Episodes
A Circus, or a Cult? The Strange Story of Shen Yun
November 29, 2022 13:00 - 36 minutes - 33.3 MBIf you live near any large city outside of mainland China, you may have seen advertisements for the world-famous Shen Yun Performing Arts Company, a US-based non-profit known for its elaborate shows in over 130 locations across the planet. But you might not know the full story of this company's origin. In today's episode, Ben, Noel and Max explore the strange origin of Shen Yun -- along with that of the religious movement, Falun Gong. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
How A Massive Turkey Screw-up Created TV Dinners
November 24, 2022 13:00 - 53 minutes - 49 MBHey, it's us, your pals Ben, Noel and Max from Ridiculous History. We figured the holidays can be stressful for everyone, and we're pretty sure you've heard the history of Thanksgiving countless times. So instead of telling you that story, we decided to celebrate by exploring the weird history of TV dinners and microwave meals -- none of which would exist if the food company Swanson hadn't accidentally found itself with 260 tons of leftover turkeys after Thanksgiving in 1953. So tune in; we ...
J. Paul Getty, Part Two: A Kidnapping Discount
November 22, 2022 21:20 - 33 minutes - 30.3 MBFor members of the mob, the plot to kidnap J. Paul Getty's grandson was a home run -- after all, what's a few million to a literal billionaire? Yet, as it turns out... the mob didn't know who they were messing with. In the second part of this two-part series, Ben, Noel and Max explore a series of terrifying events that led to one of most ridiculous examples of miserliness in human history. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
J. Paul Getty, Part One: Money Doesn't Make You Happy
November 17, 2022 18:32 - 35 minutes - 32.6 MBIt's often said that money doesn't buy happiness -- and, in the tragic case of the Getty family, it seems that saying holds true. In part one of this two-part series, Ben, Noel and Max explore Getty's origin story, his infamously... let's say... 'thrifty' nature, and how he earned a reputation of one of the coldest businessmen in modern history. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Have you heard of Andorra?
November 15, 2022 20:00 - 31 minutes - 28.5 MBWhile it may be unfamiliar to many folks outside the region, the 6th-smallest country in Europe has a fascinating history all its own. In today's episode, Ben, Noel and Max dive into the strange origin story of Andorra, from its ancient past to the modern day. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
How Smart Was Alex the Grey Parrot?
November 10, 2022 18:47 - 40 minutes - 37.2 MBPicked at random from a pet store, a humble grey parrot named Alex went on to fundamentally alter the way humans think about animal cognition. In today's episode, Ben, Noel and Max explore how animal psychologist Irene Pepperberg and her parrot pal Alex spent three decades proving it's actually pretty impressive to be 'bird brained.' See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Surprising Former Careers, Part 2: Truman Can't Sell Hats
November 08, 2022 19:20 - 40 minutes - 37.3 MBYears before he became a world-famous actor, Christopher Lee did wetwork with elite special forces during World War II. Before entering public office, Harry Truman almost ruined his life by starting a haberdashery. In part two of this continuing series, Ben, Noel and Max explore the ins and outs of more surprising former careers. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Ancient -- and Surprisingly Divisive! -- Story of Ketchup
November 03, 2022 14:24 - 56 minutes - 51.7 MBKetchup is in almost 97% of US homes today -- and, while this statistic may sound surprising, it turns out there's a long story behind this humble condiment. In today's episode, Ben, Noel and Max trace the origin of ketchup from its ancient predecessors in Southern China and the Mediterranean to the introduction of the tomato all the way to the modern day. Tune in for the first episode in our continuing series on the history of condiments (and tell us which condiments you'd like us to explor...
The Bizarrely Xenophobic Origins of Scotch Tape
November 01, 2022 17:48 - 49 minutes - 45.2 MBThere's no two ways about it: tape is a pretty handy, amazing thing -- and one we often take for granted. In today's episode, Ben, Noel and Max dive deep into the origin story of Scotch tape, uncovering the weird prejudice behind the name, as well as the journey of the young man who changed the world with his... well, let's call it stick-to-it-iveness. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Lost Media, Part Two: We Didn't Start The Fire
October 27, 2022 17:02 - 30 minutes - 27.8 MBSilent films took the world by storm, but the material they were manufactured from was notoriously -- cartoonishly -- flammable. Soon multiple studio buildings were burning to the ground. There wasn't always a spark involved, either: sometimes this stuff just spontaneously combusted. In part two of this two-part series, Ben, Noel and Max explore how silent films became so endangered in the modern day. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Lost Media, Part One: What Happened to All Those Silent Films?
October 26, 2022 12:09 - 38 minutes - 35.1 MBFor a relatively brief period of time, silent films rocked the world of entertainment. However, these nitrate- and acetate-based films proved both fragile -- and downright dangerous. In the first part of this two-part series, Ben, Noel and Max dive into the strange story of how so many silent films ended up lost forever. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
A Ridiculous History of Hot Tubs
October 20, 2022 20:50 - 45 minutes - 41.3 MBWhile hot tubs may not always have the... best reputation in some circles, there's no denying people across the world love a good, hot soak after a long day. And we've loved this since antiquity, all the way back to the first time humans found natural hot springs. In today's episode, Ben, Noel and Max dive into the strange origin of hot tubs, from millennia past all the way to the modern day. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Eugene V Debs, Part Two: A Prisoner Runs For President
October 18, 2022 14:37 - 1 hour - 58.1 MBAs a known agitator, Eugene V. Debs soon caught the attention of the US power structure -- and his outspoken nature led to him to court. In part two of this two-part series, Ben, Noel and Max explore how the Espionage Act resulted in Eugene's incarceration... and how he ran for the office of President while literally imprisoned. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Eugene V Debs, Part One: Railroad Workers Fight The Power
October 13, 2022 20:15 - 34 minutes - 31.9 MBYou may not have heard of Eugene V. Debs before this podcast -- but in his day this political activist was one of the most prominent (and at-times controversial) figures in the United States. In part one of this two-part series, Ben, Noel and Max explore Gene's origin story, from his early career in the railroad industry to his growing status as a trade unionist and agitator of the status quo. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Michelin Man was an Unhinged Lunatic
October 11, 2022 21:31 - 52 minutes - 47.7 MBVirtually every foodie is aware of the Michelin Guide -- the last word in high-end restaurant ratings -- but originally came about as a way to sell more cars (and, ultimately, tires). In today's episode with research associate Geoff Bartlett, Ben, Noel and Max dive deep into the origins of the Michelin guide, as well as Michelin's iconic mascot Bibendum, the Michelin Man. Spoiler: the Michelin Man was originally the absolute worst mascot for anything related to driving. Tune in to learn why....
The Yukio Mishima Story, Part Two: Mishima's End
October 06, 2022 14:55 - 50 minutes - 45.9 MBIn his heyday, Japanese author Yukio Mishima was one of the most well-known writers in the world. But where did he come from -- and what on Earth led to his strange demise? In part two of this two-part episode, Ben, Noel and Max welcome research associate Zach Williams in his first on-air appearance. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Yukio Mishima Story, Part One: Confessions of a Mask
October 05, 2022 13:51 - 46 minutes - 42.2 MBIn his heyday, Japanese author Yukio Mishima was one of the most well-known writers in the world. But where did he come from -- and what on Earth led to his strange demise? In part one of this two-part episode, Ben, Noel and Max welcome research associate Zach Williams in his first on-air appearance. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Wait, How Do I Know It's Funny? A Rollicking History of Laugh Tracks
September 29, 2022 14:00 - 47 minutes - 43.7 MBWe've all heard them. You're watching or hearing a show, a character says something, and -- boom! -- an invisible choir of audience members loses their minds in riotous laughter, awws, or applause. But how did where does this come from? In today's episode, we're learning how this came to be, and how it eventually became its own worst enemy. Ben here: I'd like to give a special thanks to Max for some stellar sound design. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Who, exactly, were the Luddites?
September 27, 2022 14:12 - 42 minutes - 39.2 MBToday you'll hear people described as 'Luddites' if they don't care for -- or don't understand -- some newer piece of technology, but where did this phrase come from? In today's episode, Ben, Noel and guest producer Tari trace the term back to its surprising origin story ... a violent labor uprising that, these days, remains largely forgotten. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Instant Noodles Changed The World, Part Two: Going Global
September 22, 2022 13:06 - 33 minutes - 30.7 MBAs Momofuku Ando's instant noodles take Japan by storm, he sets his sights on the global horizon. In part two of this two-part series, Ben, Noel and Max explore the expansion of instant noodles into the United States, the rest of the planet -- and, eventually, space. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Instant Noodles Changed The World, Part One: An Origin Story
September 20, 2022 14:00 - 31 minutes - 28.7 MBToday, instant noodles are ubiquitous. You can find them in almost every grocery store, in any number of flavors sold by any number of brands -- but where did they come from? In part one of this two-part series, Ben, Noel and Max dive into the story of Momofuku Ando, and how a sudden realization in post-WWII Japan inspired an idea that would go on to change the world. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Accidental Invention of Holding Music
September 15, 2022 05:30 - 31 minutes - 28.5 MBWe've all been there -- you're calling a bank, a loan company, you name it, and boom: you're put on hold. But where does that music come from? In today's episode, Ben and Noel dive into the strange origin story of telephone holding music. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Inventors Killed By Their Own Inventions: Flyin' or Dyin', Part Two
September 13, 2022 07:30 - 39 minutes - 36.6 MBHow far would you go to fly? It's a question many inventors have asked themselves over the ages and, tragically, for every successful breakthrough it seems there were also dozens of failures, flops and -- sometimes -- fatal crashes. In part two of Flyin' or Dyin', Ben, Noel and Max explore modern inventors who died as a result of their flying contraptions. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Inventors Killed By Their Own Inventions: Flyin' or Dyin', Part One
September 08, 2022 14:00 - 31 minutes - 28.9 MBHumans can swim, though not as well as a fish. Humans can run, though not as swift as a cheetah. From ancient civilization to the modern day, no human being can fly unaided. In this first of a long-running series, Ben, Noel and Max explore inventors across history who died while trying to fly. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Wilhelm Reich and Orgone, Part 2: Willy vs. The Feds
September 07, 2022 03:26 - 50 minutes - 46.3 MBIf Reich's concept of orgone was simple pseudoscience, why did the US government ban -- and burn -- his books? In part two of this two-part episode on Wilhelm Reich and orgonomic vibes, Ben, Noel and Max explore Reich's activities in the US, as well as the oft-ignored legacy of Reich's studies in the modern day. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Wilhelm Reich and Orgone, Part 1: Sexy Psychoanalysis
September 01, 2022 12:00 - 47 minutes - 43.9 MBBorn in 1897, Wilhelm Reich was an Austrian doctor of medicine and a psychoanalyst, as well as -- for a time -- a follower of Sigmund Freud. Today, he's most often associated with his life's work: the study of a strange, pervasive energy he called "orgone." In part one of this two-part series, Ben, Noel and Max explore Reich's origin story, from his early days to the experiences that persuaded him sexual vibes could, literally, save the world. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informa...
The History of Pringles: Once You Pop...
August 30, 2022 19:16 - 55 minutes - 50.9 MBPretty much everyone recognizes Pringles -- these tasty, not-quite potato chips come in tons of at-times bizarre flavors, all neatly packed in a nifty tube. But where did Pringles come from? In today's episode, Ben, Noel and Matt dive deep into the hidden history of this snack, the astonishing science behind it and the incredibly weird funeral demands of the Pringles creator. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Lincoln Loved Cats, and Other Presidential Pets
August 25, 2022 16:29 - 45 minutes - 41.4 MBAre you a cat person, a dog person, or somewhere in between? It turns out that famous trash-talking wrestler -- and former President -- Abraham Lincoln was also a huge fan of cats. In today's episode, Ben, Noel and Max dive into the lives of Presidential pets, from eagles to goats, dogs and more. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
CLASSIC - Presidents Love Their Ridiculous Pets
August 23, 2022 18:19 - 32 minutes - 29.8 MBIn today's episode, we venture into the podcast vault to talk about some snuggly friends, many of the ridiculous variety. It's no secret that, until very recently, US Presidents were known as huge fans of pets -- and they didn't limit themselves to cats and dogs! Join Ben and Noel as they explore some of the strangest pets in presidential history, from warhorses and cows to bears, raccoons and much, much more. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
What Happened to Ronald McDonald? Part Two: Supersizing A Mystery
August 18, 2022 14:01 - 59 minutes - 54.6 MBIn a world where the iconic McDonald's arches became as recognizable as the Pope or Mickey Mouse, Ronald McDonald himself became synonymous with not just fast food -- but the United States, western imperialism and capitalism overall. In the second part of this episode, Ben, Max and returning special guest, the (ostensibly) reformed Jonathan Strickland, aka the Quizster, take a case-by-case look at the alleged causes of Ronald's demise, from anti-obesity activists to changing cultural tastes,...
What Happened to Ronald McDonald? Part One: Everybody Loves A Clown
August 16, 2022 12:32 - 55 minutes - 51.2 MBToday, billions of people across the world recognize McDonald's — it's one of the planet's most well-known brands. Yet, in recent years, McDonald's has also become home to an enduring mystery: What exactly happened to Ronald McDonald? In part one of this two-part series, Ben and Max welcome special guest Jonathan Strickland for an in-depth exploration of Ronald's meteoric rise and fall. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The 1904 St. Louis Marathon Was Absolutely Bonkers
August 11, 2022 14:00 - 59 minutes - 54.4 MBIt's no secret that the Olympics have evolved over time, and met with their fair share of controversy over the years -- but the 1904 Olympic marathon remains a tale of ridiculousness for the ages. In today's episode, Ben and Max dive into a madcap series of bizarre events, brazen cheating, and more in the humid heart of brutal St. Louis weather. Taking a cue from their pals at Ridiculous Crime, the guys want you to know everyone in this episode makes it out... OK. See omnystudio.com/listen...
Andrew Jackson Beat the Snot Out of His Would-be Assassin
August 09, 2022 14:04 - 57 minutes - 52.9 MBKnown as Old Hickory to his fans, and King Andrew to his critics, Andrew Jackson was an outspoken, deeply divisive figure. When he was attacked by an assassin while leaving a funeral, the killer's gun miraculously misfired not once, but twice, and despite his old age Jackson retaliated by absolutely wailing on the guy, beating within an inch of his life. And, as it turns out, Andrew Jackson isn't the only president to survive an assassination attempt. Tune for more as Ben and Max explore the...
CLASSIC: When (and why) did the US start calling its citizens consumers?
August 04, 2022 18:54 - 42 minutes - 38.8 MBToday, the terms "citizen" and "consumer" are often used interchangeably by authors, journalists and politicians. To some experts, this shift has disturbing implications. But how important is a word? How did this switch occur, and why? In today's classic episode, Ben and Noel explore the implications of this strange, often unexamined, evolution. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
A Ridiculous History of Reality TV, Part Two: Reality Goes Global
August 02, 2022 16:18 - 40 minutes - 37.5 MBAs reality TV continued to grow across networks and genres, it also spread across the planet. In the second part of this two-part series, special guest Anna Hossnieh joins Ben, Noel and Max to break down the evolution of massive hits like The Bachelor, The Real Housewives empire, and more. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
A Ridiculous History of Reality TV, Part One: An Origin Story
July 28, 2022 18:20 - 41 minutes - 38.1 MBHowever you define it, reality TV is a giant in the world of entertainment. From soap operas to game shows and the hazards of dating, it seems almost any genre can find a home in reality television. But how did we get here? How did this global phenomenon begin? In part one of this two-part series, special guest Anna Hossnieh joins Ben, Noel and Max to explore the evolution of unscripted programming -- and what it teaches us about humanity. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Surprising Former Careers of the Famous
July 26, 2022 17:22 - 48 minutes - 44.2 MBDid you know Abraham Lincoln was an infamous, trash-talking wrestler? Ronald Reagan spent his younger years saving people from drowning (and throwing rocks at them) as a lifeguard. And before Norma Jean became the iconic Marilyn Monroe, she built drones during World War II. In today's episode, the guys explore the little-known, surprising careers of some of America's most notable historical figures. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
A Humorous History of Genetics
July 21, 2022 13:00 - 49 minutes - 45.4 MBWhat makes you... well, you? It's a question humanity has wrestled with since the dawn of recorded history all the way to the modern day. In today's special episode in partnership with 23andMe, Ben, Noel and Max dive into the history of genetic research from its ancient predecessors to great breakthroughs of the recent past, as well as learning a bit about their own genetic history along the way. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Tsutomu Yamaguchi: The World's Only (Recognized) Double Atomic Bomb Victim
July 19, 2022 16:40 - 36 minutes - 33.8 MBOn August 6th, 1945, Mitsubishi engineer Tsutomu Yamaguchi was finally heading home from a three month assignment in Hiroshima... until the United States dropped an atomic bomb over the city. Miraculously, he survived the bombing and made his way home to Nagasaki -- where he once again witnessed, and survived, an atomic bomb. Tune in to learn more about Tsutomu Yamaguchi's harrowing journey, as well as his life after surviving not one, but two separate atomic bombs. See omnystudio.com/liste...
Gods of Deception, Part II: Art, History, Fiction and War
July 14, 2022 14:32 - 30 minutes - 27.6 MBAs Ben and Noel continue their conversation with novelist and art historian David Adams Cleveland, the group finds themselves going far beyond the world of Alger Hiss. In the second part of this two-part series, the guys learn more about David's award-winning work as an art historian, the ways in which history, research and fiction converge -- and a little about the oft-ignored effects of history on geopolitics. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Gods of Deception, Part I: Alger Hiss in the Halls of Power
July 12, 2022 17:25 - 31 minutes - 29.3 MBThroughout the 1930s and 1940s, Alger Hiss was a mover and shaker in the political sphere. Highly educated and deeply connected, Hiss worked as a lawyer involved in everything from the Justice Department to the United Nations. Until, that is, he was accused of being a spy -- a prime character in a vast conspiracy stretching from DC to the Soviet Union. In the first part of this two-part series, Ben and Noel join special guest, novelist and art historian David Adams Cleveland, to learn more a...
Operation LAC: That Time Uncle Sam Sprayed Poison Across St. Louis
July 07, 2022 22:24 - 39 minutes - 36.4 MBAs the US government became increasingly concerned about the possibility of large-scale biological weapons, they decided something must be done: they needed to test— in secret. In today’s episode, the guys explore how the US Army conspired to spray an entire impoverished part of St. Louis with potentially dangerous chemicals… basically, to see what happened. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
CLASSIC - Does the US Confederacy Still Exist in Americana, Brazil?
July 05, 2022 17:22 - 34 minutes - 32 MBThe guys took a day off to celebrate the 4th of July -- and what better time to share a classic episode about another (very strange) form of patriotism? At the close the US Civil War, tens of thousands of former Confederate families fled the US for a small city in Brazil, where they sought to continue living as they had in the days before the war. Tune in to learn more about the strange history of Americana, Brazil. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Millerism, Part II: The Great Disappointment (and the Aftermath)
June 30, 2022 18:30 - 41 minutes - 38.4 MBAs the alleged End of the World drew ever closer, William Miller and the Millerism movement became a pop culture phenomenon. Thousands of people quit their jobs, sold their possessions, and prepared to ascend into the afterlife. Yet when the predicted day came -- and passed -- without the return of Jesus Christ, many of these believers were at a loss. What should they do now? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
CLASSIC - Did a Real-Life Rainmaker Almost Drown San Diego?
June 28, 2022 20:01 - 29 minutes - 26.6 MBIn today's episode we are revisiting a classic. Charles Mallory Hatfield considered himself a real-life rainmaker (or, as he preferred to describe himself, a 'moisture accelerator') and, when San Diego faced one of its most damaging droughts, Hatfield cracked a deal: He'd bring the water back to San Diego. City officials were skeptical, but desperate -- and, as ridiculous as it might sound -- they got more than they bargained for. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Millerism: America’s First End Times Gospel
June 23, 2022 22:18 - 46 minutes - 42.7 MBYou might not have heard of William Miller, but in his time he was a pretty big deal. In the first part of this two-part series, Ben, Noel and Max dive into the origin of William Miller and Millerism, his spiritual movement predicated on the idea that, with some tricky math, you could indeed predict the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Ben Franklin Faked a Rival's Death to Promote His Almanac
June 21, 2022 22:31 - 32 minutes - 30.2 MBBenjamin Franklin was many things: an inventor, a Founding Father, a publisher... and, it turns out, a massive troll. In today's episode, Ben, Noel and Max dive into a strange story of absolute pettiness and out-the-box PR stunts. You see, when Ben Franklin wanted to up the sales of his almanac, he decided to predict the death of his longtime publishing rival, Titan Leeds. One problem: when the prediction didn't come to pass, Titan, who was very much alive, responded in kind. See omnystudi...
Why was Phrenology a Thing? Part II: A Pseudoscience (Sort of) Informs the Modern Day
June 16, 2022 18:53 - 53 minutes - 49.1 MBWhile the credibility of phrenology inevitably deteriorated over time, it was neither a completely original concept, nor, in some respects, a completely useless one. In the second part of this two-part series, Ben, Noel and Max explore the ancient precedents of judging inner qualities based on outer appearance, as well as what modern scientists have to say about how phrenology, as imperfect as it was, helped establish some concepts that stay with the world of research today. See omnystudio....
Why was Phrenology a Thing? Part I: The Rise of Dr. Finger
June 14, 2022 18:03 - 45 minutes - 41.6 MBOnce upon a time, a young man named Franz Joseph Gall thought "That's weird... all my school chums with big eyes are good at memorizing things." Years later, he took this idea and ran with it, assuring people that bumps on their skulls held profound insights about both their flaws and their talents. Nowadays everyone agrees phrenology is bunk -- but in its heyday, folks across the US and Europe were convinced this quackery was the bleeding edge of scientific innovation. In part one of this t...
Nancy Wake, the White Mouse of the French Resistance
June 09, 2022 22:41 - 43 minutes - 40.2 MBAlthough Nancy Wake began her career as a journalist, her first-hand experience with Nazis compelled her to a new calling: the French Resistance. In today's episode, Ben, Noel and Max explore the larger-than-life triumphs of the freedom fighter the Gestapo would come to call "the White Mouse," from her early days to her heroic (though, at times, murderous) work to save innocent lives during World War II. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.