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
Seven Wonders of the Ancient World - Mausoleum at Halicarnassus
Like most rulers of old, Mausolus wasn't exactly known for his modesty. In today's episode, Ben, Noel and Max continue their exploration of the Seven Wonders…
- Ridiculous History
CLASSIC: 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
Paul Is Dead, Part Two: Welcome to the Walrus
After a US-based college student pens a satirical article exploring hippy folklore and the Beatles, mainstream media takes off -- "Is Paul McCartney actually…
- Ridiculous History
Paul Is Dead, Part One: The Beatles versus MI5
It's one of the greatest conspiracy theories in all of modern music -- what if, at the height of their success, the world famous Beatles suddenly lost Paul…
- Ridiculous History
CLASSIC: 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
CLASSIC: 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
CLASSIC: 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
CLASSIC: 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
We're Late for the April Fools' Episode
Have you ever fallen for an April Fools' Day gag? Across the world, millions of people pull (hopefully wholesome) pranks on each other every April 1st in a…
- Ridiculous History
The Ridiculous History of Vending Machines
Pretty much everyone in the developed world is familiar with vending machines these days -- you see them in all sorts of places, selling all sorts of things…
- Ridiculous History
CLASSIC: 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
Badass of the Week, with Ben Thompson - Part 2: the Battle of Karánsebes
As Europe increasingly freaks out about the expansion of the Ottoman Empire, a ragtag crew of guys who ordinarily hate each other band together for common…
- Ridiculous History
Badass of the Week, with Ben Thompson - Part 1: History's Most Ridiculous Friendly-fire Incident
War has always been a chaotic, messy endeavor -- and, sometimes, it's downright ridiculous. In this week's special two-part series, the guys welcome returning…
- Ridiculous History
CLASSIC: That Time 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, infections of which their romantic…
- Ridiculous History
A Ridiculous History of Processed Cheese
Let's be honest: cheese is inherently weird. As humanity advanced, civilizations leveraged positively alchemical science to arrive at the perfect cheeseburger…
- Ridiculous History
The Darién Gap, or: the Real Reason Scotland Lost Its Independence
Scotland is a fascinating place, with its own rich culture, cuisine and history. Today, it's part of the United Kingdom -- but this wasn't always the case…
- Ridiculous History
CLASSIC: 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
Apple Versus Apple: The Beatles' Decades-long IP War
Spoiler: The Beatles are kind of famous. Yet even worldwide acclaim didn't make them immune to lawsuits. In today's episode, Ben, Noel and Max explore the…
- Ridiculous History
Ancient Wonders of the Modern World: The (Alleged) Hanging Gardens of Babylon
We've all heard of The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World -- but what are they, exactly? What made these specific seven creations wonders? Why are some equally…
- Ridiculous History
CLASSIC: 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
The US Camel Corps, Part Two: The Legend of the Red Ghost
As Major Wayne and company finally make the US Camel Corps a reality, tensions continue to rise across the US: the increasingly divided North and South stand…
- Ridiculous History
The US Camel Corps, Part One: Several People With A Really Weird Dream
Let's face it: camels look goofy. And we say this with great affection! In fact, the camel's seemingly awkward appearance is the result of some stellar…
- Ridiculous History
CLASSIC: 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
CLASSIC: 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
CLASSIC: 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. In today's classic episode, Ben and Noel trace…
- Ridiculous History
CLASSIC: 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
CLASSIC: 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. In today's Classic episode, join Ben and Noel…
- Ridiculous History
CLASSIC: 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
CLASSIC: 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
That Time Japan Absolutely Rinsed Russia, Part Two: The Togo Turn
As Japan corners Russian forces in Port Arthur, the Tsar sends a new fleet of ships on a 7-month journey to break the barricade. In a stunning battle that…
- Ridiculous History
That Time Japan Absolutely Rinsed Russia, Part One: The Race For Manchuria
Two Empires. One region, in tenuous balance. While often forgotten in the modern day, the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-1905 was a pivotal turning point in early…
- Ridiculous History
CLASSIC: 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
Victorians Got Super Weird With Flirting, Part Two: Courtship and Calling Cards
Cast your mind back to the Victorian Era, when countless singles and would-be paramours struggled to circumvent strict social mores in the search for true…
- Ridiculous History
Victorians Got Super Weird With Flirting, Part One: "Fan Fiction"
The Victorian Era was, on the surface, a time of almost cartoonish sexual repression. Courtship was governed by rigid sets of rules and heirarchy, and even…
- 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
First Ladies Who Weren't Wives, Part One: The Niece Will Have To Do
For more than two hundred years, the American public has elected not just a president, but a family. While the position of First Lady of the United States is…
- Ridiculous History
Some of History's Funniest Honorifics, Part One: The Babymaker, the Debauchee, and More
Honorifics are perhaps best described as the fancier version of nicknames, with some of the same familiar rules: just like nicknames, you don't get to give…
- Ridiculous History
IP, Part Two: The Baffling World of Trademarks
What does it mean to own an idea, a brand, a catchphrase or a concept? In part two of their continuing exploration of the weird world of intellectual property…
- Ridiculous History
A Ton of Inventors Died Due To Their Own Inventions, Chapter Two: Li Si and the Five Pains
The world is riddled with inventors whose discoveries led to their demise. Thomas Midgley, Jr. is the world's worst inventor. Marie Curie discovered…
- Ridiculous History
CLASSIC: The 1904 Racist Summer Olympic Games in St. Louis
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
The Ridiculously Ambitious History of the World's Fair, Part Two: Things Don't Always Work Out
On paper -- and, often, in practice -- the world's fair is an astonishing global showcase of groundbreaking innovations. However, as Ben, Noel and Max discover…
- Ridiculous History
The Ridiculously Ambitious History of the World's Fair, Part One: A Crazy Plan, and Crazy Success
Have you ever dreamed of going to a science fair as an adult? If so, the world's fair is for you -- these massive international exhibitions occur around the…
- Ridiculous History
CLASSIC: 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 goals, including the…
- Ridiculous History
How Dogs Went Domestic, Part Two: Yes, Dogs Know What You're Thinking
Imagine: at multiple points in history, despite their ecological rivalry, a few humans and a few wolves teamed up for a greater good. Fast forward thousands of…
- Ridiculous History
How Dogs Went Domestic, Part One: Classic Rom-Com
Most folks agree: dogs are awesome. So, how did ancient humans and wolves end up hanging out in the first place? In the first part of this two-part episode…
- Ridiculous History
CLASSIC: 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
CLASSIC: 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 Story of Claudette Colvin, with Nimene Wureh
While most people today already know the inspiring story of Rosa Parks and her pivotal role in the Montgomery Bus Riots, a lot of folks still don't know the…
- Ridiculous History
CLASSIC: How did Fido become the default name for dogs?
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
Whatever Happened to Mac Tonight?
In the great pantheon of fast food mascots, one iconic figure stands separate from the rest: a crooning, crescent moon-faced musician named Mac Tonight…
- Ridiculous History
The First Recorded Christmas Was The Latest Birthday Party Ever
Whether or not you yourself celebrate Christmas, there's no denying it's one of the world's most well'known holidays -- in fact, this commemoration of the…
- Ridiculous History
CLASSIC: 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
Whoops! All Quizster, Part Two: A Ridiculous History of HowStuffWorks
Still reeling from a tragic loss in the greatest of games, Ben, Noel and Max square off with Jonathan Strickland AKA The Quizster in one last battle of wits…
- Ridiculous History
Whoops! All Quizster, Part One: The Gang Reunites
After going off the grid for the better part of a year, Jonathan Strickland AKA The Quizster returns at the end of 2024, with several bones to pick. As he…
- Ridiculous History
CLASSIC: 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
How The (English) Alphabet Became A Thing, Part Two: Each Letter Has A Story
How did the English alphabet -- a strange agglomeration of curved and straight-lined symbols -- become a thing? In the second part of this special two-part…
Ridiculous HistoryBig Parma
Stuffed crust pizza. Grilled cheese burritos. How did so much cheese get into so many things? On today's episode, we peel back the curtain on the Dairy…
- Ridiculous History
How The (English) Alphabet Became A Thing, Part One: Writing Stuff Down Is A Bonkers Idea
Let's be honest: the concept of writing stuff down is both brilliant and insane. Right now, all around the world, countless people are scrawling or typing…
- Ridiculous History
CLASSIC: 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
History's Famous Mistranslations, Part Two: Life on Mars, the Cold War, and FARTFULL
Did a mistranslation lead to theories of life on Mars? What exactly was Khrsuschev trying to say at that big U.N. meeting? Language is amazing -- and it's also…