Podcast
Ridiculous History
Hosted by iHeartPodcasts · EN
History 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.
292episodes
Episodes
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CLASSIC: Fort Blunder: The US Fort Mistakenly Built in Canada
Today00:34:36Summary readyAfter the War of 1812, the US decided to shore up security at Lake Champlain by constructing a fort on Island Point. However, due to a surveying error, the US ended up building this fort in Canada, rather than the states. Listen in to learn more about the ridiculous story of Fort Montgomery, and why some people prefer to call it Fort Blunder.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
SummaryMastodons and 'Murica, with Lauren Vogelbaum, Part Two: A Grudge Match with the French
2d ago00:33:32Summary readyThomas Jefferson wasn't just obsessed with mastodons for no reason. Instead, he was in an intense dispute with a French naturalist named Georges-Louis Leclerc, Comte de Buffon. Leclerc argued that the American continent was 'degenerate', and all animals and life forms in the joint were weaker, smaller, and less-developed than those in Europe. In the second part of this special two-part series, returning guest Lauren Vogelbaum regales the gang with the final chapter of Jefferson's strange beef with Leclerc... and how this conflict eventually led to the concept of biological extinction.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
SummaryMastodons and 'Murica, with Lauren Vogelbaum, Part One: American Degeneracy
4d ago00:37:16Summary readyIf you grew up in the United States, you've doubtlessly learned all sorts of stuff about Thomas Jefferson -- but did you know about his bizarre fascination with mastodons? It's a winding tale of nationalism, naturalism, and good old American rivalry with the French. And the guys aren't diving into this one alone: they're joined by returning guest and veteran podcaster, the legendary Lauren Vogelbaum, to learn more about the story in part one of this special two-part series.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
SummaryCLASSIC: The Duke of Edinburgh is Literally a God in Vanuatu
1w ago00:25:32Summary readyCompared to most people, the UK's Prince Phillip has a pretty swell life -- he's literally royalty, has never gone hungry, and has traveled the world meeting some of Earth's most important people. And, to some residents of Vanuatu, he's also a god. Join the guys as they explore the evolution of the religious movements collectively known as 'cargo cults'.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
SummaryOof! A Lot of Baby Gear was Absolutely Ridiculous
1w ago00:31:33Summary readyIn today's episode, Ben, Noel, and Max want to begin by shouting out all new parents in the crowd (we hope you get some sleep)! These days, every expecting or new parent is endlessly inundated with advertisments for products, services, and treatments. And as the crew discovers in today's episode -- the past wasn't that different. In fact, a ton of this baby gear of yesteryear was patently ridiculous.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
SummaryA Ridiculous History of 'Soft Serve'
2w ago00:50:34Summary readyNowadays, ice cream is a pretty popular treat across the planet. In this episode -- at the height of a blistering Atlanta summer -- Ben, Noel and Max learn more ice cream's kissing cousin: the 'soft serve'. Where did it come from? What makes it such a hit? Also... why doesn't it count as actual ice cream?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
SummaryCLASSIC: The Honorary Citizens of the United States
2w ago00:42:15Summary readyDid you know you can become an honorary citizen of the United States? It's true -- but it isn't easy. Join the guys as they explore the life and times of the rare few who managed to become honorary citizens in the United States.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
SummaryWho was the real John Henry?
2w ago00:35:13Summary readyFor well over a century, schoolchildren across the United States learned the story of John Henry. According to the legend, John was a formerly enslaved man who found work with a railroad after the Civil War. Widely known as the best steel driver in the area, John wins a Phyrric victory against an automated steel driving machine -- he beats the machine, but dies as a result of exhaustion. The story has resurged in popularity as modern society squares off against AI... but how much of the original story is fact, and how much is fiction? In today's episode, Ben, Noel and Max continue their exploration of American folklore by diving into the tale of John Henry. And, quickly, things go off the rails.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
SummaryFrom Slaves to Superpower: The Rise and Fall of the Ottoman Janissaries
3w ago00:38:58Summary readyWhile often forgotten by the global West, the Ottoman Empire was an absolute superpower in its heyday. As the Empire expanded across three separate continents, they also practiced mass enslavement -- and used it to power their army. In today's episode, Ben, Noel and Max explore the rise of the Empire's elite fighting force: the Jannisaries. Originally composed of kidnapped and enslaved children from conquered lands, over time the Janissaries gained a unique social position that frightened the Sultan. Eventually, this led to their downfall -- and, arguably, the downfall of the Ottoman Empire overall.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
SummaryCLASSIC: The Nature of Ephemera, with Alex Williams
3w ago00:40:07Summary readyWhether we’re talking yesterday’s newspaper, pamphlets from museums, or even old lottery tickets and straw wrappers, the world is chock full of things that were not meant to last. Today the guys join Alex Williams, the creator of the new podcast Ephemeral, to explore the strange, beautiful, disturbing and tragic stories of things that came and went, from the Collyer brothers to Pizzaria chips.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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