Podcast
Fad Files
Hosted by Fad Files · EN
Adam and Erin are curious about fads: specifically why they blow up and what makes them disappear. Each week, they'll dig into a new decade to try to understand the rise and fall of a forgotten American icon.
If you're into outrageous personalities, pop culture oddities, and fashion choices that make you hide your old photos - this one's for you.
10episodes
Episodes
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20 - Mullets (1980s-1990s... to Now?)
May 15, 202401:18:35Tap to summarizeBusiness in the front, party in the back, glorious all over. It's a fun one to close out Season 2. On this episode, Adam and Erin discuss how ancient warriors sported the Kentucky Waterfall, the surprising recent history of the actual term "mullet", and the thrilling international scene of hairstyle competitions. Although, as a 12-year-old Australian might tell you... "It's not a hairstyle. It's a lifestyle." We'll be taking another short break, but in the meantime please feel free to connect with us at fadfilespod@gmail.com or on instagram @fadfilespod. We'd love to hear your ideas and stories! Select Sources: History.com's comprehensive history of the mullet NY Times' article: "What the Mullet Means Now" The Hair Historian on instagram The Guardian's article on Australia's inaugural mullet competition
Transcribe →19 - Mimes (1950s - 1970s)
May 8, 202401:10:44Tap to summarizeWe're pointing at our ears, and then giving you a big creepy smile. Art! In this episode, Erin tells Adam about the ancient origins of "the clown's silent cousin" (terrifying), Marcel Marceau's badass World War II heroics, and whether or not you have to "get it" to appreciate it. Select Sources: Mime.info and SeatUp articles on the history of Miming Marcel Marceau's "The Mask Maker" Shields and Yarnells' "Robots Having Breakfast" (The Muppet Show)
Transcribe →18 - Poodle Skirts (1950s)
May 1, 202400:45:16Tap to summarizeEver been stuck with nothing good to wear to a party? Then ever quickly cut something out of felt, slap a patch on it, and have it become an international fashion sensation? In this episode, Erin tells Adam about the inspiring DIY history of poodle skirts, the Dior "New Look" femininity of it all, and the long-lasting impact of three little sassy dachshunds. Select Sources: Folkwear and Little Things articles on the history of the poodle skirt (great pictures!) The Fashion Institute of Technology's Fashion History Timeline
Transcribe →17 - Decoder Rings (1930s - 1950s)
Apr 24, 202401:01:33Tap to summarizeGee, gosh, and golly, Mister - get ready to take down the secret message for next week's exciting presentation of the Fad Files. Set your secret society pins to code O4! That's a O as in Ovaltine, 4 as in the number of times you should drink it per day. On this episode, Erin teaches Adam about the covert spy history behind these popular decoder toys, Little Orphan Annie's arms dealer of a benefactor, and why exactly Ovaltine is necessary for a growing boy like himself. Select Sources: Radio Archives - Little Orphan Annie History Metropolitan Washington Old Time Radio Club - Captain Midnight & Code-O-Graphs The Wanderling article on Captain Midnight & Code-o-Graphs Zoot Radio Audio Museum Lone Ranger Atomic Bomb Ring
Transcribe →16 - JNCO Jeans (1990s)
Apr 17, 202401:18:34Tap to summarizeWho can resist that sexy triangle silhouette? On this episode, Adam teaches Erin about what "JNCO" actually stands for, corporate marketing teams once again deviously vying to capture "the youths", and the heyday of shopping malls. Select Sources: Mental Floss history of JNCO Jeans The Cut's The Rise and Fall of the JNCO Empire Todd Lyon's JNCO Jeans Commercial Youth rollerblading while testing the limit of JNCO Jeans' massive pockets Denim Man, in all his glory (tokyofashion.com)
Transcribe →15 - Train Collisions (1890s-1930s)
Apr 10, 202401:14:21Tap to summarizeAh, the classic American pastime of blowing stuff up. On this episode, Erin teaches Adam about the proper safety precautions for smashing two locomotives together, desert pop up towns, and the man, the myth, the legend: "Head-On Joe" Connolly. Select Sources: Columbus Dispatch Article Lancaster Eagle Gazette Article Smithsonian Article The Vintage News Article Atomic Accidents Hometown By Handlebar
Transcribe →14 - Waterbeds (1970s/80s)
Apr 3, 202401:17:49Tap to summarizeOh look, another fad from the 1970s that was unnecessarily sexualized. On this episode Adam teaches Erin about the long-winded history of beds, before finally getting to when a guy got the bright idea to make one out of water. Select Sources: History of Beds - Tuft & Needle Waterbeds are Returning - Seattle Times
Transcribe →13 - Fondue (1970s)
Mar 27, 202401:00:08Tap to summarizeNothing's sexier than a steaming pot full of melted cheese. On this episode, Erin teaches Adam about why you should never drop the bread, the dreaded Swiss Cheese Mafia, and a dairy-and-ski-fueled 1970s swinging culture. Bow-chicka-wow-wow. Select Sources: Ilana Gordon's amazing article on fondue in the Takeout Did someone call for the Cheese Professor? Is Fondue a Sex Thing? Spruce Eat's Fondue History BBC's Fondue History Culture Trip's Fondue History
Transcribe →12 - Sea Monkeys (1960s)
Mar 20, 202401:19:06Tap to summarizeSo... they don't actually look like monkeys. But there is an even greater disappointment lurking in the history of these aquatic pets that is guaranteed to ruin your childhood. On this episode, Adam teaches Erin about some lovable brine shrimp and their problematic "father". Select Sources: Brief History of Sea-Monkeys (Mental Floss) Sea-monkeys.com Hitler and the Sea-Monkeys (SPLC)
Transcribe →11 - Palm Pilots (1990s/2000s)
Mar 13, 202401:16:30Tap to summarize(Mostly) gone, but not forgotten. The Palm Pilot solitaired, so that the iPhones and Androids could... fully take over our lives. Simpler times. On this episode, Erin teaches Adam all about the transitionary tech that was Personal Digital Assistants, while Adam works through his childhood trauma of being bullied for having a Palm Pilot in the 8th grade. Select Sources: PC Mag: The Golden Age of PDAs Time Magazine: First Smartphone (IBM Simon) and Newton, Reconsidered Computerworld: The Fall and Decline of the Palm Empire GatesNotes
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