Ridiculous History: A Ton of Inventors Died Due To Their Own Inventions, Chapter Two: Li Si and the Five Pains

Release Date: January 22, 2025

Hosts: Ben Bollen and Noel Brown
Produced by: Max Williams
Podcast Network: iHeartPodcasts

Introduction: Surviving the Snowpocalypse

The episode opens with Ben Bollen and Noel Brown engaging in their signature banter, humorously recounting their experiences during a massive snowstorm in Atlanta. They acknowledge their super producer, Max Williams, and tease the listeners about the chaos of winter weather management. Amidst light-hearted exchanges and humorous interruptions, the hosts set a casual and engaging tone for the episode.

Continuing the Series: Inventors and Their Fatal Creations

The core of the episode delves into the intriguing and often tragic tales of inventors who met their demise due to their own creations. Building on a previous episode that discussed multiple inventors in aviation, Ben and Noel expand the narrative to include other notable figures whose innovations had unintended lethal consequences.

Thomas Midgley Jr.: The Accidental Villain

Timestamp: [06:30]

The hosts introduce Thomas Midgley Jr., a brilliant chemist often labeled as "one of the world's worst inventors." Despite his genius, Midgley's inventions have had long-lasting detrimental effects on humanity and the environment.

• Ben Bollen Highlights:

  • Midgley is credited with adding tetraethyl lead to gasoline to prevent engine knocking, a decision that has had severe public health repercussions. “He put lead in gasoline. It's because of this guy that we still to this day, weirdly, sort of like ashtrays on airplanes,” Ben remarks at [11:01].
  • His work with chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) also led to significant environmental issues, including ozone layer depletion.

• Noel Brown Adds:

  • Midgley's inventions have “haunted the global population today,” affecting animals, humans, and plants alike ([07:31]).
  • He was not an evil person by design but failed to foresee the catastrophic consequences of his innovations.

Notable Quote:

“He could turn a couplet. He could pet a couplet.” – Noel Brown ([15:10])

The Tragic End of Thomas Midgley Jr.

Timestamp: [16:00]

Midgley's demise is a darkly ironic tale. After contracting polio, he invents a pulley system to aid his mobility. Tragically, on November 2, 1944, Midgley becomes entangled in his very own invention and is strangled to death.

• Ben Bollen Observes:

  • The episode draws a parallel to slapstick cartoons, noting the absurdity and horror of the situation:

    “It was not lead poisoning from his gasoline experiments that killed Tommy. Tommy is 51 years old, and he contracts polio and loses the use of his legs.” ([15:02])

• Noel Brown Reflects:

  • The hosts humorously consider posthumously knighting Midgley for his “knighthood of ridiculous history” ([17:58]).

The tragic end underscores the theme of the episode: the fine line between genius and folly, and how unintended consequences can have profound impacts.

Marie Curie: Radiating Genius and Tragedy

Timestamp: [22:07]

Transitioning from Midgley, the hosts explore the life and legacy of Marie Curie, another scientist whose groundbreaking work had fatal repercussions.

• Ben Bollen Shares:

  • Marie Curie, born Maria Skłodowska, was a pioneering chemist who, alongside her husband Pierre, discovered radium and polonium. These elements were pivotal in advancing medical science but also posed significant health hazards due to their radioactivity.
  • Curie's relentless dedication led her to carry test tubes of radium on her lab coat, unaware of the long-term health effects.

• Noel Brown Details:

  • Curie's perseverance in the face of misogyny and personal tragedy is highlighted. After her husband’s untimely death in 1906, she continued his work and became the first female professor at the Sorbonne ([25:14]).
  • Her exposure to radioactive materials ultimately led to her death in 1934 from aplastic anemia, caused by her extensive contact with radium ([27:06]).

Notable Quote:

“She is wholly committed to her research and is often known to carry around test tubes of radium on her person, tucked in her lab coat.” – Ben Bollen ([26:20])

Li Si and the Five Pains: Ancient Innovations and Ironies

Timestamp: [31:48]

In alignment with the episode's title, the hosts begin exploring the story of Li Si, a pivotal figure in ancient Chinese history, and his infamous "Five Pains." Although this segment is not fully explored within the transcript, the discussion hints at Li Si's role in unifying China and his ruthless methods of maintaining power through extreme torture techniques.

• Noel Brown Introduces:

  • Li Si, born around 280 BCE, rose from humble beginnings to become a significant advisor in the imperial court. His political maneuvers, including bribery, assassination, and information control, were instrumental in consolidating the Qin Dynasty ([34:06]).

• Ben Bollen Continues:

  • The "Five Pains" were brutal methods of punishment designed to quell dissent and enforce loyalty, reflecting Li Si's authoritarian strategies ([35:26]).

Notable Quote:

“The five pains is used multiple times to quell dangerous religious ideologies et cetera. Any outside forces, find their leader, subject them to the Five Pains, and it is quite successful in securing the, or I should say cementing the power of the empire.” – Ben Bollen ([37:14])

The segment on Li Si sets the stage for a deeper exploration of historical figures whose innovations or policies led to their downfall, continuing the episode's overarching theme.

Conclusion: Reflections on Inventors and Their Legacies

As the episode wraps up, Ben and Noel reflect on the dual nature of invention—the capacity to propel humanity forward while also harboring the potential for devastating consequences.

• Ben Bollen Concludes:

  • He emphasizes that while many inventors contribute positively, a significant number, like Midgley and Curie, inadvertently cause harm through their creations.

• Noel Brown Adds:

  • The hosts acknowledge the complexity of assigning blame, recognizing that inventors like Midgley and Curie were products of their times and lacked the foresight into the full impact of their work.

Notable Quote:

“His inventions, his big breakthroughs, greatly contributed to the environmental problems everyone hearing this show faces today.” – Ben Bollen ([18:03])

Final Thoughts and Acknowledgments

The episode concludes with the hosts thanking their producer, research team, and listeners. They encourage the audience to follow them on social media and hint at future episodes that will continue to explore the fascinating intersections of innovation and tragedy.

Key Takeaways:

• Unintended Consequences: Brilliant inventions can have unforeseen and sometimes catastrophic effects on society and the environment.

• Historical Context: Understanding the time and circumstances in which inventors operated provides insight into their decisions and the outcomes of their work.

• Moral Complexity: Assigning blame is nuanced; inventors often act with good intentions but lack comprehensive understanding of the long-term impacts of their creations.

Suggested For Further Listening:

Listeners intrigued by the stories of Midgley, Curie, and Li Si will find this episode a compelling addition to the "Ridiculous History" series, combining historical analysis with engaging storytelling and sharp humor.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• [15:10]
  Noel Brown: “He could turn a couplet. He could pet a couplet.”

• [22:07]
  Ben Bollen: “He is wholly committed to her research and is often known to carry around test tubes of radium on her person, tucked in her lab coat.”

• [35:26]
  Ben Bollen: “The five pains is used multiple times to quell dangerous religious ideologies et cetera. Any outside forces, find their leader, subject them to the Five Pains, and it is quite successful in securing the, or I should say cementing the power of the empire.”

• [18:03]
  Ben Bollen: “His inventions, his big breakthroughs, greatly contributed to the environmental problems everyone hearing this show faces today.”

For more intriguing and bizarre historical tales, subscribe to "Ridiculous History" on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or your preferred podcast platform.