Who Smarted? - "What Makes the Washington Monument So Monumental?"
Aired: February 16, 2026
Host: Trusty Narrator (A)
Guest: George Washington (B, humorous portrayal)

Episode Overview

This episode of "Who Smarted?" dives into the intriguing history, architecture, controversies, and surprising facts behind the Washington Monument in Washington, D.C. Blending comedy, curious trivia, and interactive questions, the Trusty Narrator and a ghostly George Washington explore what makes the monument "so monumental," from its record-setting height to its design mishaps and dramatic pauses in construction.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. What is the Washington Monument?

• The Washington Monument is an iconic obelisk-shaped structure located on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.
• It stands 555 feet, 5 & 1/8 inches tall.
• Its design: A four-sided stone pillar (obelisk) topped with a pyramid.
• Remarkable feat: "When it was constructed in 1884, it was the tallest structure in the world." (A, 01:00)
• Fun Fact: From the top, "You can see 30 miles in each direction." (A, 01:00)

2. Original Monument Plans – Bigger, Fancier, and a Bit Extra!

• Early 1800s: Former President James Madison forms the Washington National Monument Society to honor Washington with a memorial (B, 03:44).
• Design contest: The chosen plan was a grand Roman temple with 30 stone columns and statues of Declaration signers between each one, plus "a statue of me (George) driving a horse drawn chariot" on top! (B, 02:33)
  • "Now that’s what I call a monument." (B, 02:43)

3. A Symbolic Start – Cornerstone Ceremony

• In 1848, a huge event celebrated the laying of the cornerstone.
• Guests included President James Polk, three future presidents, and Abraham Lincoln (B, 04:26).
• Traditions discussed: Burying mementos in the cornerstone (A, 04:48).

4. Building the Monument – Early Progress and Setbacks

• By 1854, about 150 ft high, 1/4 finished (A, 05:28).
• Construction tech: Steam-powered elevator could lift 6 tons of stone, plus old-school ropes and pulleys (B, 06:03; A, 06:14).
• Stat: 36,000 stones were placed in total (A, 06:14).

5. Unexpected Drama: The Pope’s Stone and Political Intrigue

• Monument Society invited ceremonial stone donations. The Pope sent one, upsetting the anti-Catholic Know Nothing Party, who stole the Pope’s stone in 1854 (B, 06:53; A, 07:22).
  • "One night in 1854, a group of Know Nothings snuck up to the monument, locked the night watchman in a shed, and stole the Pope's stone." (B, 07:22)
• The ensuing scandal dried up donations; construction stalled for 25 years (B, 07:50).
  • "They didn't set another stone for 25 years." (B, 07:50)

6. Major Pause – Civil War Interrupts Everything

• Civil War (1861–65) derailed further progress and funds (A, 08:04).
• The unfinished monument was mocked as “a hollow, oversized chimney” (B, 08:23).
• During the war, cattle grazed around it, adding to the indignity (B, 08:23).

7. Finishing the Monument – But Not the Fancy Way

• By 1876, Congress resumed work, scrapping the ornate Roman temple and chariot: “Whatever. It’s not like I helped win the country’s independence or anything.” (B, 08:48)
• Finished as a “perfect obelisk” – or is it?

8. Design Flaw: The Monument’s Unintentional Neapolitan Look

• Surprising Fact: The monument is not a single color.
  • "What do you think this design flaw is, smarty pants? ... The surprising answer is it’s two different colors." (A, 15:09)
  • George adds: "Actually, it's three different colors." (B, 15:25)
• Cause: Original quarry (Maryland) closed after the halt; new stones from Massachusetts and later another Maryland quarry didn't match tones. Rain changed stone colors over time (B, 15:39).
  • "That's why the monument ... is white on the bottom, light brown in the middle, and tannish pink on top." (B, 16:21)

9. Unusual Capstone – A Precious Metal That Isn’t

• At the tiptop is a 9-inch pyramid of aluminum, which was rarer than silver in 1884 (A, 17:06).
  • "When they installed it in 1884, it was one of the most valuable metals on earth." (B, 17:20)
• Today, it’s used for “tin foil and soda cans” (A, 17:45).
  • "As metals go, they don't get much cheaper than aluminum. Wow." (A, 18:10)

10. Enduring Legacy & Fun Facts

• The monument is visited by millions annually and even survived a 2012 earthquake (A, 16:53).
• The reflecting pool, visible beauty despite flaws, and modern relevance highlighted (A, 16:36).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Design Aspirations:
  • "There was going to be a Roman temple with 30 stone columns. ... On top ... a statue of me driving a horse drawn chariot. Now that’s what I call a monument." – George Washington (B), 02:31–02:48
• Construction Method:
  • "As you can see...they're using a steam powered elevator inside the monument that can lift as much as 6 tons of stone up to where they're working." – George Washington (B), 06:03
• Historical Drama:
  • "One night in 1854, a group of Know Nothings snuck up to the monument, locked the night watchman in a shed, and stole the Pope’s stone." – George Washington (B), 07:22
• Colorful Critique:
  • "That's why the monument ... is white on the bottom, light brown in the middle, and tannish pink on top. Thank you very much." – George Washington (B), 16:21
• Changing Value:
  • "Aluminum may once have been a rare precious metal as valuable as silver, but today, not so much. That’s because we found a ton of it...as metals go, they don't get much cheaper than aluminum. Wow." – Trusty Narrator (A), 17:45–18:10
• Playful Self-Awareness:
  • "By George, I think we did it." – Trusty Narrator (A), 18:29

Important Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:01] – Arrival and introduction at the National Mall
• [01:00] – Monument dimensions and early facts
• [02:33] – George’s description of the original design plans
• [04:25] – Cornerstone ceremony attendees
• [06:03] – Construction methods and technological feats
• [07:22] – Stolen Pope’s stone and Know Nothing Party drama
• [08:23] – Civil War era neglect and monument mockery
• [15:09] – Design flaw (color difference) revealed
• [16:21] – Why the monument is three colors
• [17:06] – Capstone and the value of aluminum
• [18:29] – Episode wrap-up and reflection

Tone & Style

The episode employs playful banter, silly asides, and breaks the fourth wall by directly inviting the listener (“smarty pants”) to guess quiz answers. The hosts (especially ghostly George) are witty, self-deprecating, and keep things lively and accessible for kids:

"Now that's what I call a monument." (B, 02:43)
"It’s not that kind of mall." (A, 01:31)
"Save yourself, trusty. I’m just a ghost, remember?" (B, 18:20)

Takeaways

• The Washington Monument’s history is filled with ambition, complications, and quirky mistakes, illuminated in a fun, accessible format.
• It's both a marvel of engineering and a lesson in how historic monuments reflect political and technological changes — as well as occasional blunders — over time.
• Even though plans changed and things went awry, its enduring presence (in three colors, with a once-precious aluminum cap) continues to inspire visitors and spark curiosity.

Recommended for:

• Young learners, classrooms, history buffs, and anyone curious about America's most iconic landmarks—delivered with a smile and a wink!