Shows / Ridiculous History
Ridiculous History
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.
Episodes
- Ridiculous History
Gustaf Broman Tried to Cross the Atlantic in a Canoe . . . Or Did He?
In 1895, Gustaf Broman announced he would sail across the Atlantic in a 13-foot-long sailboat crafted from a cedar log. His route had an odd beginning -- he…
- Ridiculous History
The Weird, Surprisingly Recent Origin of the Tooth Fairy
For millions of kids in the West, the story is as mysterious as it is profitable: Once your baby teeth begin falling out, hide them beneath your pillow…
- Ridiculous History
When Vikings Loot The Wrong Town
Like many Viking leaders, Halfdan and Bjorn wanted to be known for their fearlessness in battle and their ability to locate the finest spoils -- they wanted…
- Ridiculous History
Were Tulips Really The Bitcoin of the 1600s?
In the 1600s, residents of the Dutch Republic were -- according to the story -- absolutely bonkers for tulips. A market sprang up around the tulip trade, and…
- Ridiculous History
(Some of) History's Dumbest Military Prototypes
It's true that the world's militaries often pioneer technological innovation -- but don't let all those great successes fool you! The world's militaries have…
- Ridiculous History
The Forty Elephants: London’s All-Female Jewel Thieves
For at least 200 years, part of London’s criminal underground was ruled by a gang of brilliant, all-female jewel thieves. Join the guys as they explore the…
- Ridiculous History
The Malleus Maleficarum: A Real-life Witch Hunter's Bible
During Europe's period of witchcraft hysteria, one enterprising (and failed) witch hunter sought to bolster his reputation by creating an authoritative text on…
- Ridiculous History
The Great London Beer Flood of 1814
In 1814, a poor neighborhood in London fell victim to a strange, tragic and boozy disaster -- this calamity would eventually leave eight people dead. So what…
- Ridiculous History
Dr. Seuss Wrote His Most Famous Book On A Bet
Nowadays, world-famous children's author Dr. Seuss is one of the most well-known writers on the planet. "Green Eggs and Ham", one of his most successful books…
- Ridiculous History
Feral Children and the True Story Behind The Jungle Book
What inspired Rudyard Kipling to write The Jungle Book? Join the guys as they explore the real-life, tragic stories of feral children abandoned by their human…
- Ridiculous History
When Dentist Sold Dentures Made with Corpse Teeth
Here in the modern day, most people don’t love going to the dentist — but we still have it much better than the dental patients of yesteryear! Join the guys as…
- Ridiculous History
The Laxative-laden Journey of Lewis and Clark
Before Lewis and Clark set out to explore the western side of the continent, they tried to prepare for every possible contingency — including medical…
- Ridiculous History
The Strange and Spectacularly Disgusting Story of the Great Kentucky Meat Shower
On March 3rd, 1876, residents of Bath County, Kentucky were startled to see what appeared to be chunks and flakes of meat falling from the clear, cloudless…
- Ridiculous History
The Bizarre Origin of the Oxford English Dictionary
With 600,000 words and 3 million quotations, the Oxford English Dictionary is a massive tome. Work began on the dictionary in 1857, but the first edition…
- Ridiculous History
How Conman Victor Lustig Sold The Eiffel Tower (Twice)
Born Robert Miller, the man who would later become known as Count Victor Lustig traveled across Europe and the US bilking hundreds of people out of hundreds of…
- Ridiculous History
George Carlin Gets Quoted in the Supreme Court: Ridiculous Stand-up Stories with Wayne Federman
In the second part of this two-part series, special guest Wayne Federman explores the strange, curse-word-riddled stand-up bit that resulted in George Carlin…
- Ridiculous History
The People vs. Lenny Bruce: Ridiculous Stand-up Stories with Wayne Federman
Lenny Bruce is a legend in the history of stand-up comedy, and while his use of explicit language thrilled audience members, it didn't win him any friends in…
- Ridiculous History
The Life and Times of Ol' Knife Hand
A necropolis in what is now Northern Italy holds a strange and, at first glance, terrifying corpse. A Lombard man, aged somewhere between 40 and 50 years old…
- Ridiculous History
The Ridiculous Story of the World’s First (Documented) Serial Killer
Locusta of Gaul, also known as Lucusta The Poisoner, was one of the most infamous criminals of ancient times. Alternately sponsored and betrayed by the noble…
- Ridiculous History
Back When the Rich Ate Corpses
Nowadays it's safe to say that cannibalism isn't a widely-accepted practice, but not so long ago it was considered the bleeding edge (get it?) in medicine…
- Ridiculous History
The Mummies of Guanajuato
When the city of Guanajuato instituted a grave tax, they included some harsh penalties for those who couldn't pay -- if you went more than three years without…
- Ridiculous History
The Curious Rise of SPAM
Nowadays the iconic 'SPAM' logo is recognized around the world -- whether you're traveling in the US state of Minnesota or Busan, Korea, you'll more often than…
- Ridiculous History
The Smooth-talking Takeover of Tabor Bridge
In 1805, two French Marshals found themselves in quite a pickle -- Jean Lannes and Joachim Murat needed to cross the Danube at the Tabor bridge (a series of…
- Ridiculous History
History's Coolest (Non-Human) Political Candidates, Part I
It's no secret that politics can be a minefield of quirky events, and strange things happen in the lead up to elections. But just how strange can it get? Join…
- Ridiculous History
Attack of the Aswang: How the CIA Used Vampires as Weapons of War
Horror fans can tell you there's more than one type of vampire -- in fact, there are hundreds of vampire-like fiends in cultures around the world. In most…
- Ridiculous History
A Dead Pope Goes To Court
The Catholic Church is no stranger to scandal and controversy, but in January of 897 the institution was home to a new and unique scandal that put the garden…
- Ridiculous History
Who are the Hartlepudlian Monkey Hangers?
Years ago, if you wanted to start a fight in Hartlepool in north eastern England, all you'd have to do is start calling people 'monkey hangers'. But why? Join…
- Ridiculous History
William Walker: Filibuster and (Fantastically Bad) President
The adventurer and filibuster William Walker was, in his heyday, lauded as an American hero for his repeated failed invasions of areas of Mexico and Nicaragua…
- Ridiculous History
Lawsonomy: How the Father of the Modern Airline Started His Own Religion
When middling baseball player Alfred Lawson first learned of the Wright Brothers, he experienced a revelation that would guide the greater part of his life…
- Ridiculous History
War and Candy: The Infamous Tootsie Roll Air Drop
During the battle of the Chosin Reservoir during the Korean War, the First Marine Division seemed doomed. Surrounded, outnumbered, outgunned and running…
- Ridiculous History
The Man Who Assassinated Abe Lincoln's Assassin
On April 14th, 1865, John Wilkes Booth assassinated President Abraham Lincoln in Ford's theatre, escaping shortly thereafter and going on the run. The Federal…
- Ridiculous History
The Cock Lane Ghost: Haunting, Hoax, Hysteria… or Hilarious?
In 1762, crowds from across London gathered in hopes of seeing something the papers called "The Cock Lane Ghost". This alleged spirit was known to communicate…
- Ridiculous History
Roland the Farter and the Weird World of Professional Flatulence
Regardless of what polite societies often want us to believe, everyone farts. And we fart often! And, believe it or not, a few rare individuals have been able…
- Ridiculous History
Gregor MacGregor Invented a Country and Convinced People to Invest in It
When His Serene Highness Gregor the First, Sovereign Prince of the State of Poyais and its Dependencies, and Cacique of the Poyer nation visited London, he…
- Ridiculous History
Angry Feds and Deadly Booze: The Story of the Chemists' War
From 1920 to 1933, the U.S. government attempted to ban (recreational) alcohol throughout the nation. In a stunning -- we're being sarcastic here -- turn of…
- Ridiculous History
Project A119: The Cold War Plan to Nuke the Moon!
It sounds like something straight out of your favorite sketch comedy show -- what if a crack team of scientists joined forces with the world's most powerful…
- Ridiculous History
Adidas Versus Puma: A Tale of Two Brothers
Today Adidas and Puma are two of the industry's most well-known tennis shoe makers, and people around the world prize the footwear for its unique design and…
- Ridiculous History
Fanny and Stella: The Cross-Dressing Scandal of Victorian England
In April of 1870, a shocking court case captivated Victorian England: Fanny and Stella, also known as Frederick Park and Ernest Boulton, were arrested after…
- Ridiculous History
Kansas Imprisoned Women For Having STDs
At the close of World War I, American soldiers returned home from abroad with scars, wounds, stories and, in some cases, infectious diseases of which their…
- Ridiculous History
The WWII Naval Battle Won Using Potatoes
The U.S.S. O'Bannon was a Fletcher-class navy destroyer with an impressive array of weaponry and a solid track record in conflicts in WWII. However, even the…
- Ridiculous History
The Korean Soldier Who Fought for 3 Armies During WWII
Born in what is now North Korea, Yang Kyoungjong didn't set out to become a soldier -- but fate had other plans. Join the guys as they trace one man's journey…
- Ridiculous History
Oregon Was a White Supremacist Paradise
Today Portland, Oregon is often portrayed as a left-leaning haven for hipsters across the country, but the original Oregon was a vastly different place. Listen…
- Ridiculous History
Why did people hate the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge?
Nowadays most people are fans of national parks, but this wasn't always the case. Join the guys as they delve into the strange 'birds vs. babies' conflict over…
- Ridiculous History
The 1904 Summer Olympic Games in St. Louis Hosted a Racist 'Special Olympics'
A few years after Baron Pierre de Coubertin revived the ancient sporting event known as the Olympics, he brought the games to the U.S. for the first time. The…
- Ridiculous History
When Heineken Made Bottles That Could Be Used as Bricks
Heineken is one of the world's most well-known, popular beers, and people across the planet can instantly recognize the iconic green bottle and red star. But…
- Ridiculous History
Why British Soccer Players Saluted the Nazis
As global tensions grew to a breaking point in the lead-up to World War II, European nations used every available avenue to pursue their geopolitical goals…
- Ridiculous History
The United States That Never Were
Nowadays the number of U.S. states seems set in stone -- since 1959 the country has been comprised of fifty states, with one star for each on the flag. Yet in…
- Ridiculous History
Philadelphia's Transylvanian Doomsday Cult: The Cave of Kelpius
There's a nifty bit of hidden history tucked away in Philadelphia's Wissahickon Valley Park -- a cave that, legend has it, was home to a doomsday cult. In…
- Ridiculous History
Enough About Us: What About You?
When we're talking about Ridiculous History, one thing's for sure: The story doesn't stop when the podcast ends. You've probably heard Ben and Noel mention the…
- Ridiculous History
Weird Wars Fought For Dumb Reasons
What do a camel, a bucket and an ear all have in common? Each was, at some point, responsible for starting a war. Join Ben and Noel as they dive into true…
- Ridiculous History
The FBI's Quest to Understand 'Louie, Louie'
The Kingsmen's cover of "Louie, Louie" is one of the world's most famously unintelligible songs -- and this haunted the FBI. In this episode, Ben and Noel…
- Ridiculous History
The Time a Soviet Premier Was Banned From Disneyland
At the height of the Cold War a series of debates in a model kitchen in Moscow (true story!) led Nikita Khrushchev to visit the US on a whirlwind publicity…
- Ridiculous History
Kidnapping, Binge Drinking and Costumes: Voter Fraud in the 1800s
Allegations of U.S. voter fraud have made the rounds in recent years -- but, once upon a time, these were much more than allegations. Join the guys as they…
- Ridiculous History
Why don't Americans use bidets?
Whether you're royalty or a roaming vagrant, a President or a pauper, one thing's for sure: At some point, you'll have to use the restroom. While sanitation…
- Ridiculous History
The Earliest Recorded Mooning Killed Thousands
You've heard of mooning -- the practice of bearing one's butt as an insult -- but where did it come from? Join Ben and Noel as they dive into the deadly story…
- Ridiculous History
The Presidential Reason Fido Became the Default Name for a Generic Dog
If you're like most English speakers, the first thing you think of when you hear the name "Fido" is, of course, a dog. But why? Join Ben and Noel as they delve…
- Ridiculous History
Dock Ellis and the Legend of the LSD No-hitter
Almost 48 years ago, Pirates pitcher and notorious party animal Dock Ellis pitched a no-hitter while under the influence of LSD. How did this man accomplish…
- Ridiculous History
Maryland’s State Song was a Diss Track
On the first listen, Maryland's old state song sounds pretty innocuous. There's the usual lauding of the state, a refrain based on "O Tannenbaum" and so on…
- Ridiculous History
The Story of Max, South Africa's Famous, Crime-fighting Gorilla
When confronted with a home invasion, Max the gorilla brought international fame to the Johannesburg Zoo and briefly became the city's most famous crime…
- Ridiculous History
How Santa Anna Lost His Leg Twice, and Held a Funeral for It
Often called "The Napoleon of the West", mainly by himself, Santa Anna was a legendary, larger-than-life politician, general and exile. While hundreds of…