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.

https://www.iheart.com/podcast/105-ridiculous-history-28588696/

Eine durchschnittliche Folge dieses Podcasts dauert 36m. Bisher sind 718 Folge(n) erschienen. .

Gesamtlänge aller Episoden: 18 days 7 hours 35 minutes

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The Delaware Wedge, Part One: A Tiny State with Massive History

[transcript]


Although it's the second-smallest state in the US, don't let Delaware's diminutive geography fool you. This state has a tremendous economy, and loads of ridiculous history in its past. In this week's special two-part series, the guys dive into the history of a strange conflict that bedeviled the state from its early days all the way into the 20th century -- a contentious, tiny piece of land that almost led to open combat: this is the story of the Delaware Wedge.

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   27m
 
 

Back to the Choo-ture: the Enduring Nostalgia of Model Trains

[transcript]


What is it about model trains that so captivates people, young and old alike? How did they start as an icon of innovation, and then become such a treasured piece of nostalgia over time? In today's episode, the gang explores the history of model trains from centuries past to the modern day.

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   54m
 
 

PEZ: Candy or Anti-smoking Aid?

[transcript]


The Austrian candy brand Pez is perhaps more well-known for its iconic dispensers than for the candy itself. While they may seem commonplace today, these tablet-shaped bricks have a surprising origin story. In today's episode, Ben, Noel and Max dive into the original purpose of Pez: part candy, yes -- but also an innovative way to help Austrians stop smoking.

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   41m
 
 

Mobituaries with Mo Rocca, Part Two: What's Past is Prologue

[transcript]


What happened to the payphone? Were you also stunned the first time you saw Abe Lincoln without a beard? In the second part of this special two-part series, Mo Rocca explores the strange passage of the past to the present, and what we carry with us along the way. Join Ben, Noel, Max and Mo as they learn more about Mobituaries and the art of storytelling with a soul.

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   42m
 
 

Mobituaries with Mo Rocca, Part One: Mo Eulogizes The Pager

[transcript]


In the world of journalism and literature, there's nothing quite like the obituary. Sometimes called the first draft of history, an obituary can function as a love letter, a condemnation -- but, perhaps more than anything, a portrait of a person gone from this mortal plane...


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   44m
 
 

Awful Candy, Part Two: Peeps, Licorice, Wax Lips and More

[transcript]


Are you a fan of licorice? Have you ever encountered wax lips in the wild? Where do you stand in the great Peeps debate? Join Ben, Noel and Max as they continue to explore some of the world's most divisive candy in the second part of this special two-part series.

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   28m
 
 

Awful Candy, Part One: Tootsie Rolls Saved the War -- and Divided the World

[transcript]


Whether or not you have a sweet tooth, odds are you probably have some strong opinions about candy. Following up (finally!) on their earlier Halloween conversation, Ben, Noel and Max explore some of the most divisive candies on the planet. 

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   31m
 
 

It Is Literally Time For The Leap Year Episode

[transcript]


Let's be honest: leap year sounds pretty nuts when you explain it. We have the regular 365-day year three times in a row, but every fourth year we add one extra day in February. (With... several other notable caveats.) Join Ben, Noel and Max as they figure out where leap year came from, why it's a thing, and whether it's still genuinely better than nothing. 

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   48m
 
 

The Ridiculous History of Hot Sauce

[transcript]


Today, hot sauce is a global phenomenon, with millions of bottles sold every single year. But where does it come from? What makes it so popular -- and why won't water douse the heat when things get out of hand? Tune in as Ben, Noel and Max explore the spicy origin story of hot sauce.

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   56m
 
 

CLASSIC: Why does the Guinness Beer Company Track World Records?


Odds are you've heard about the Guinness Book of World Records, the famous, often inaccurate compilation of various impressive, important, and ridiculous feats from people across the planet. But how did it come about? How on earth did a brewer become the repository of all this strange knowledge? Tune in for a surprising peek behind the keg -- and into the cups -- of Guinness history and human ambition.

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 February 22, 2024  32m