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.
258episodes
Episodes
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What is SantaCon -- and Why Do So Many People Hate it?
2d ago00:36:25Summary readyOne thing about the United States -- we'll throw a party for anything. As a result, it's no surprise that back in 1994, a group of well-meaning pranksters in San Francisco decided to don Santa Claus costumes in a whimsical protest against capitalism. Although it was originally meant to be a one-off event, SantaCon was a hit! Over the next few years it expanded into multiple celebrations across the country, and then across the globe. But with this expansion came a change... and it wasn't long before residents of various towns (especially New York City) saw SantaCon as less lighthearted fun, and more as a booze-fueled free-for-all of soused, wild Santas terrifying the streets. Tune in as Ben, Noel and Max discover the wholesome origins of SantaCon -- and why so many people seem to hate it today.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
SummaryCLASSIC: History's Weirdest Flexes, Part Two
5d ago00:27:09Summary readyWhile the phrase 'weird flex' may be relatively recent, it turns out that this phenomenon is as old as human civilization. Join the guys with special guests Miles and Jack from The Daily Zeitgeist as they explore some of the strangest (and most petty) flexes in human history in the conclusion of this two-part episode.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
SummaryCLASSIC: History's Weirdest Flexes, Part One
1w ago00:31:03Summary readyDo you know anyone who decided to show off in a weird way? While the phrase 'weird flex' may be relatively recent, it turns out that this phenomenon is as old as human civilization. Join the guys with special guests Miles and Jack from The Daily Zeitgeist as they explore some of the strangest (and most petty) flexes in human history.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
SummaryThe Bizarre Parable of New Coke, Chapter Two: A Rise. A Fall. A Conspiracy?
1w ago00:44:40Summary readyBack in the 1980s, Coca-Cola -- for reasons the public still can't agree on -- rolled out a controversial new formulation of their legendary, still-secret cola recipe. Public backlash in the south (and, weirdly enough, Monaco of all places) prompted a quick retraction, and a load of conspiracy theories. Tune in for the second sip of this special two-liter episode on the saga of New Coke, as Ben, Noel and Max unravel the rise and fall of 'New Coke', along with the various conspiracies that haunt this bizarre tale in the modern day.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
SummaryCLASSIC: How Robert "The Fastest Knife In The West End" Liston Conducted A Surgery With A 300% Mortality Rate
2w ago00:29:27Summary readyIn this week's Classic episode: It's no secret that hospitals can be intimidating, scary places -- but the medical operations of the modern day can't hold a candle to the grisly procedures of the 1800s. Back then, even some of the best surgeons still had about a one in ten chance of their patients dying during or shortly after a procedure. And Robert Liston was no exception. Listen in to learn how this otherwise top-notch surgeon managed to kill not only his patient, but also his assistant and some guy just standing nearby all in the course of one procedure gone horribly wrong.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
SummaryThe Bizarre Parable of New Coke, Chapter One: Sweeter, Stranger, Strange
2w ago00:36:15Summary readyHeads-up! We are extremely biased on this one. Back in the 1980s, Coca-Cola was terrified of losing the Great Soda War to Pepsi. In the depths of desperation, they futzed with the golden goose — the secret formula for one of the most popular sodas on the planet. In the first spicy sip of this two-liter series, Ben, Noel, and Max discover a grand conspiracy to boost sales… and a genuine culture war looming on the horizon.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Summary"Resting Bicycle Face": Bikes and Women's Rights
2w ago00:44:09Summary readyNowadays bicycles are a common sight across the world -- they're efficient, convenient, and a great way to get in some exercise. Yet in the late 1800s they were ground zero for a culture war over women's rights. In today's episode, Ben, Noel and Max discover how the humble 'safety bike' rocked the status quo, giving female riders newfound freedom... and throwing the patriarchy into a panic.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
SummaryCLASSIC: How Oliver Cromwell Got Executed Several Years After His Death
3w ago00:26:41Summary readyIn this week's Classic episode: today, Oliver Cromwell is known as one of the most famous figures in English history -- he was a Puritan with no military experience when the Civil War broke out in 1642, but within a decade he rose to the position of Lord Protector, essentially ruling Wales, Scotland and England. He died of natural causes, but was later executed... after his death. What are we talking about? Tune in to find out.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
SummaryThe Bizarre Life of Elvis, Part Two: Public Fame, Private Chaos
3w ago00:36:18Summary readyHave you ever assaulted your hamburger guy? How do you handle your problematic pet chimpanzee? For a lot of us in the crowd, these questions sound ridiculous -- but for Elvis Presley, these conundrums were part of his everyday life. In the second episode of this special two-part series, returning guest Jordan Runtagh, co-creator of the hit podcast Too Much Information, takes the guys behind the scenes of Presley's pop stardom to explore his increasingly strange misadventures as his musical star rose... and his private life spun out into chaos.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
SummaryThe Bizarre Life of Elvis, Part One: From Poverty to Pop Stardom
3w ago00:31:52Summary readyHow far would you fly for a sandwich? Decades after his death at just 42, Elvis Presley remains a global pop phenomenon. His short life was full of strange, ridiculous adventures... but how many of these stories are true, and how many are just modern folklore? In today's episode, the guys welcome the journalist Jordan Runtagh, co-creator of Too Much Information, for a special two-part series on the man, the myth, the legend: Elvis.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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