Podcast Summary:

Podcast: Harold's Old Time Radio
Episode: Ripley's Believe It Or Not - 1 Minute Episodes xx-xx-xx (270) First President of the USA
Date: August 19, 2025

Overview

This episode from Harold's Old Time Radio presents a rapid-fire segment of the classic "Ripley's Believe It Or Not." The show offers astonishing facts that challenge common knowledge, focusing on a quirky fact about the true nature of glass and the often-overlooked first president of the United States, according to the Articles of Confederation.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Nature of Glass

• The episode opens with an eye-opening fact about glass, questioning its classification as a solid.
• Key Point: Although commonly considered a solid, glass doesn't display the standard properties of solids.
  • Properties discussed:
    • No crystalline structure
    • Flows with gravity
    • Lacks a definite melting point
• Conclusion:
  “Therefore, glass is not a solid. It’s a liquid. Believe it or not.”
  (Speaker A, 00:30)

2. Who Was the First President of the United States?

• The episode pivots to challenge the widespread assumption that George Washington was the nation’s first president.
• Historical Correction:
  • The Continental Congress began meeting in 1774.
  • Real union of the 13 states only began in 1781, post-Maryland’s signing of the Articles of Confederation.
• Surprising Fact:
  • John Hanson, representative from Maryland, was elected as the first President of the United States in Congress assembled in 1781.
• Memorable Line:
  “George Washington was not the first President of the United States... John Hanson, who signed for Maryland, was elected President of the United States in Congress assembled in 1781. Believe it or not.”
  (Speaker A, 00:44–00:55)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Intro:
  “Truth is stranger than fiction, and this is the proof. This is Ripley's Believe It Or Not.”
  (Speaker B, 00:00)

• On Glass:
  “Glass does not have one of the properties of solids. It does not show any crystals with definite form, it flows with gravity, and it has no melting point. Therefore, glass is not a solid. It’s a liquid. Believe it or not.”
  (Speaker A, 00:13–00:31)

• On the First President:
  “…it was not until 1781, when Maryland finally signed the Articles of Confederation, that a union of all the original 13 states became an actuality. Who, then, was the first president, if not Washington? John Hanson, who signed for Maryland, was elected President of the United States in Congress assembled in 1781. Believe it or not.”
  (Speaker A, 00:38–00:55)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:00 — Introduction: “Truth is stranger than fiction…”
• 00:13 — Glass reclassified as a liquid, not a solid
• 00:38 — Clarification of U.S. presidential history
• 00:44 — The election of John Hanson as first president under the Articles of Confederation

Tone and Style

Throughout the short episode, the language remains factual, concise, and imbued with the characteristic astonishment of "Ripley’s Believe It Or Not." The delivery aims to intrigue listeners and challenge popular assumptions without embellishment, staying true to the spirit of classic radio curiosities.

This summary captures the main content and distinctive style of the episode, giving listeners a clear sense of the surprising facts and shifting historical perspectives featured in this brief yet memorable radio segment.