Stuff You Missed in History Class

Behind the Scenes Minis: Balloons and Cat Trees

Release Date: November 21, 2025
Hosts: Holly Frey & Tracy V. Wilson
Podcast: iHeartPodcasts

Episode Overview

This week, Holly and Tracy dive into the curious social history behind balloon riots—a series of 19th-century public disturbances involving hot air balloons—and reflect on the design and culture of pet inventions, most notably cat trees. The conversation ranges from exploring human nature’s sometimes riotous response to novelty, to sharing personal anecdotes about their own pets and favorite inventions for animal companions. The hosts muse on the quirks of history, the evolution of pet products, and even indulge a playful theory about cats and human psychology.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Balloon Riots and Human Behavior

[02:15–10:23]

• Balloon Riot Requests and Surprising Quantity:

  • Tracy began researching a listener request on a specific balloon riot, but quickly uncovered many similar events from the era, all sharing peculiar cultural and social patterns.
  • Quote:
    • Tracy: “One riot was the request... then the 1864 one was the other one that immediately kind of showed up... and then I was like, oh, there’s a lot of them, actually.” (02:19)

• Naming Conventions and Anglophilia in Early US Cities:

  • Both hosts note how venues for balloon launches were often named after English gardens or European sites, underlining the new nation's tendency to copy old-world names.
  • Quote:
    • Holly: “So much—‘We are our own new thing,’ but everything got named after something in Europe.” (03:05)

• The Psychology of Rioting:

  • Tracy reflects on the similarity between balloon riots and modern sports riots, observing that disappointment and boredom play a role in both.
  • Quote:
    • Tracy: “So often it really seems like... the initial run up to the rioting was something involving a combination of boredom and disappointment.” (05:39)

• Violence in Response to Novelty:

  • Holly offers an analogy:
    • Holly: “I feel like even the most staid human in the right circumstance will just turn into a berserker and start stabbing things and setting them on fire. ... Everybody go to therapy.” (05:04, 05:37)

• Balancing Awe and Fear of New Technology:

  • Balloon launches were planned with publicity, yet the spectacle sometimes triggered fear—locals at times attacked landing balloons out of confusion or suspicion.
  • Tracy mentions the consistency of reports about rural communities attacking balloons:
    • “The account saying it was attacked with pitchfork, that’s pretty consistent. ... Maybe they really did attack the thing that fell out of the sky.” (04:23)

• Echoes in Modern Events:

  • The hosts compare the phenomenon to reaction to failed spectacles today (e.g., concert cancellations, sports riots).
  • Quote:
    • Tracy: “If it were 2025 and people were going to a Taylor Swift concert... and then what if the crowd just rushed the stage and destroyed all of the instruments and lighting?” (09:13)

• Balloon-Related Hoaxes and Cultural Mania:

  • Edgar Allan Poe’s balloon hoax is discussed as a historical aside about gullibility in the age of early aviation.
  • Quote:
    • Holly: “He published a story in the Sun in New York claiming someone had crossed the Atlantic in a balloon in three days. ... That is what happened. And then he had to retract it two days later.” (08:36–09:02)

Pet Inventions – Cat Trees, Wee Wee Pads, and Living with Animals

[13:55–21:54]

• Affluence and Pet Products:

  • Alan Simon, the inventor of the “wee wee pad,” had a lavish lifestyle, notably a $40 million New York home—an indicator of the booming pet product market.
  • Quote:
    • Holly: “He was a very fascinating man... very tan. He is very straightforward.” (15:38)

• Ugly Cat Trees and Real World Use:

  • Both hosts lament the lack of attractive cat trees, sharing personal stories about their experiences with various models.
  • Tracy gifted Holly a large classic cat tree, which remains a favorite for Holly’s current cats.
  • Quote:
    • Holly: “Marva’s favorite place at night.” (17:06)
    • Holly: “Cat trees, by their nature, are just hard to be real cute.” (16:36)

• Challenges of Multi-Cat Households:

  • Stylish cat trees exist but are often too small for larger cat families, leading to practical (though less attractive) solutions.
  • Quote:
    • Holly: “We did buy a cuter, smaller, gothic-y looking one ... but they really prefer the kitchen, the ugly kitchen one.” (20:51)

• Cat Tree Logistics and Expense:

  • The cost and size of suitable cat trees are discussed, especially for accommodating large or multiple cats.
  • Quote:
    • Tracy: “They can be really real pricey.” (21:54)

Pet Product Oddities, Toxoplasmosis, and Online Pet Debates

[24:59–32:21]

• The “Crazy Cat Man” and Toxoplasmosis Theory:

  • Holly floats a playful, speculative theory about Ed Lowe (inventor of kitty litter), suggesting his eccentric behavior might've been influenced by toxoplasmosis, which is sometimes linked to unusual personality traits in cat owners.
  • Quote:
    • Holly: “Did he have toxoplasmosis?” (25:19)

• Toxoplasmosis – How It Spreads:

  • The hosts briefly explain the science—how the parasite spreads from rodents to cats and then to humans (primarily via feces)—and debunk some myths.
  • Quote:
    • Tracy: “My understanding of toxoplasmosis is that the source... is really rodent, when cats are able to catch rodents.” (27:19)

• Potty Pads and Internet Disdain:

  • Holly expresses gratitude for Alan Simon’s pet potty pads, pushing back on online communities that disparage their use as lazy or unhygienic.
  • Quote:
    • Holly: “I stumbled upon a part of the Internet I was not ready for ... a Reddit anti-dog subreddit... Having a human in your house is disgusting and gross! Like, we all come with stuff.” (29:12)

• Practical Uses for Wee Wee Pads:

  • Tracy and Holly share that the pads are often indispensable for elderly or ill pets, and even handy for non-pet messes (e.g., craft projects).
  • Quote:
    • Tracy: “My one time that I’ve ever used them was when Sestina was in her last months of life...” (30:27)
    • Holly: “If you’re doing a weird craft project that has a lot of fluid, put a puppy pad under it.” (30:56)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Humans are always a second away from violence.”
  – Holly Frey (05:04)

• “This whole like, ‘I’m mad at the balloon, so we need to set it on fire’ mentality is one that I just can’t grasp.”
  – Holly Frey (04:14)

• “Because that’s what it’s about, baby.”
  – Holly Frey on repeatedly saying “balloon” (10:47)

• “Marva’s favorite place at night.”
  – Holly Frey, on the inherited cat tree (17:06)

• “Thank you, Alan Simon, for the invention of potty pads for pets.”
  – Holly Frey (29:11)

• “Having a human in your house is disgusting and gross! Like, we all come with stuff.”
  – Holly Frey (29:12)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Balloon Riots and Social Response: 02:15–10:23
• Poe’s Balloon Hoax: 08:23–09:13
• Cat Tree Ownership Stories: 16:23–21:54
• Toxoplasmosis Theory & Pet Owner Stereotypes: 25:03–29:12
• Praise for Pet Potty Pads: 29:11–31:00

Tone & Style

The conversation is warm, humorous, and insightful, with a breezy, personal tone that blends historical curiosity with lived experience. Holly and Tracy banter easily, punctuating their historical lessons with jokes, affection for their pets, and lighthearted speculation.

Summary Takeaways

• Balloon riots were culturally widespread and driven by complex social forces.
• Both the awe and fear of new technology played a role in public reactions.
• Early adoption of European place names reveals both a break from and a lingering tie to colonial roots in American history.
• The evolution of pet products like cat trees and potty pads reflects both practical needs and changing social attitudes toward animals.
• Internet forums on pet topics can be surprisingly harsh and miss the reality of living with animal companions.
• An undercurrent of humor and skepticism toward “official” history and received wisdom pervades the entire episode.

This behind-the-scenes episode offers a unique blend of quirky historical discussion and relatable, pet-loving dialogue, perfectly capturing the spirit of Stuff You Missed in History Class.