Aaron Mahnke's Cabinet of Curiosities: Episode "Sunk Cost"

Release Date: April 15, 2025
Hosted by Erin Menke
Produced by iHeartPodcasts and Grim & Mild

Introduction

In the episode titled "Sunk Cost," Erin Menke takes listeners on a captivating journey through two extraordinary tales that blend engineering prowess with human obsession. As always, the episode navigates the realms of the unbelievable, unsettling, and bizarre, staying true to the essence of Cabinet of Curiosities.

1. Project Azorian: The CIA's Underwater Gamble

Timestamp: [00:34]

Erin Menke begins the episode by delving into the Cold War-era intrigue surrounding the sunken Soviet submarine, the K-129. Sunk around March 1968, the K-129 became the focal point of a high-stakes retrieval mission orchestrated by the CIA, codenamed Project Azorian.

The Discovery and Strategic Importance

The CIA became aware of the sinking when they observed a massive Russian search and rescue operation in the Pacific Ocean, approximately 1,500 miles north of Hawaii. Once the Russians abandoned their efforts, the Americans moved in using specialized submersibles equipped with advanced cameras unseen by Russian vessels. Erin narrates:

"The K-129 was intact at the bottom of the ocean and if recovered, could provide the CIA with Russian missile technology and codebooks filled with secrets." [02:10]

Engineering Marvels and Challenges

To execute the retrieval, the CIA commissioned the construction of the Hughes Glomar Explorer, a vessel pseudonymously named after the eccentric billionaire Howard Hughes to serve as a credible cover for deep-sea mining operations. The ship, measuring 618 feet in length, featured the largest moon pool ever constructed, allowing for the deployment of submersibles. Central to the mission was Clementine, a massive claw apparatus designed to latch onto the submarine.

However, midway through construction, engineers discovered a critical flaw: the ship was not robust enough to support the claw, risking a structural failure. To mitigate this, the ship was enlarged, inadvertently making it too large to traverse the Panama Canal. Consequently, the vessel had to undertake a lengthy circumnavigation around South America, inflating the project’s costs to nearly $300 million.

The Retrieval Attempt and Aftermath

Launched in 1973, the Glomar Explorer faced geopolitical turbulence, including a delay in Chile due to a revolution. Upon reaching the K-129, Clementine successfully grasped the submarine's remains. Yet, as the sub was hoisted, the claw malfunctioned, causing significant portions of the submarine to plunge back into the abyss.

"The steel just wasn't strong enough." [04:30]

Ultimately, only fragments of K-129 were recovered, leaving many of the submarine's secrets submerged. The mission's partial failure, coupled with public exposure by journalists, led to the abandonment of any further recovery attempts. Erin reflects:

"16,000 feet of water is a pretty safe way to hide a..." [05:00]

Conclusion

Project Azorian stands as a testament to human ingenuity and the lengths to which governments will go in the pursuit of technological supremacy. Despite its ambitious scope, the mission underscores the inherent risks and unforeseen challenges of such clandestine operations.

2. Mary Toft and the Rabbit Birth Hoax

Timestamp: [07:07]

Transitioning from military engineering feats, Erin Menke recounts the bizarre 18th-century scandal of Mary Toft, an English servant girl who deceived the medical community by claiming to give birth to rabbits. This tale intertwines psychological obsession with outright deception.

The Onset of Strange Cravings

In April 1726, Mary Toft, heavily pregnant and unable to afford time off from her laborious duties, developed an intense craving for rabbit meat. Her fixation became so consuming that it allegedly influenced her unborn child, leading to an unprecedented and grotesque series of events.

"Mary begged her husband to buy her rabbit meat, but with his business struggling, they just simply couldn't afford it." [07:45]

The Hoax Unfolds

After suffering a miscarriage, Mary's cravings intensified, culminating in a bizarre incident where she began to experience labor pains despite having no remaining pregnancy. When her husband and doctor, John Howard, attended to her, Mary delivered what appeared to be dismembered rabbit remains instead of a human child.

"Howard examined the fragments but refused to believe that Mary had produced them, at least until she went into labor again." [09:20]

This spectacle attracted scientific interest, with authorities validating the phenomenon before the truth emerged. Mary became a national sensation, igniting debates between skeptics and believers in the then-popular theory of maternal impression—the idea that a mother's thoughts could physically influence her offspring.

The Revelation and Aftermath

However, the elaborate hoax unraveled when it was discovered that Mary's husband and accomplices were smuggling rabbits into her room and meticulously dissecting them to fabricate the illusion of live births. Their scheme aimed to capitalize on Mary's notoriety for financial gain but ultimately backfired, leading to public ridicule and personal ruin.

"Mary eventually faded into obscurity, but the doctors who vouched for her weren't so lucky." [11:00]

The scandal not only derailed the careers of those involved but also cast a shadow of doubt over the medical community, highlighting the dangers of credulity and the willingness to endorse unfounded theories.

Conclusion

Mary Toft's rabbit birth hoax serves as a cautionary tale about human susceptibility to deception and the perilous intersection of desire, belief, and scientific inquiry. It underscores the importance of skepticism and rigorous evidence in the pursuit of truth.

Closing Thoughts

Erin Menke's "Sunk Cost" masterfully intertwines two distinct narratives that explore the extremes of human ambition and folly. From the high-stakes underwater retrieval missions of the CIA to the bizarre and tragic hoax of Mary Toft, the episode encapsulates the essence of Cabinet of Curiosities by presenting stories that are as thought-provoking as they are extraordinary.

As Menke aptly concludes:

"I hope you've enjoyed today's guided tour of the Cabinet of Curiosities. ... until next time, stay curious." [12:00]

Notable Quotes:

• "The K-129 was intact at the bottom of the ocean and if recovered, could provide the CIA with Russian missile technology and codebooks filled with secrets." – Erin Menke [02:10]

• "The steel just wasn't strong enough." – Erin Menke [04:30]

• "Mary begged her husband to buy her rabbit meat, but with his business struggling, they just simply couldn't afford it." – Erin Menke [07:45]

• "Howard examined the fragments but refused to believe that Mary had produced them, at least until she went into labor again." – Erin Menke [09:20]

• "Mary eventually faded into obscurity, but the doctors who vouched for her weren't so lucky." – Erin Menke [11:00]

**Listen to "Sunk Cost" and subscribe to Aaron Mahnke's Cabinet of Curiosities on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or visit curiositiespodcast.com to delve deeper into the strange and marvelous stories that await.