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Ridiculous History

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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.

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44 episodes
a few times a week
Avg 38 min
English

Episodes 44

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Yesterday · 42 min
"CLASSIC: Operation Northwoods: How the US Planned to Attack Itself and Start a War with Cuba"
It's no secret that the US and Cuba have a long history of tense relations, often teetering on the brink of war. But just how far would Uncle Sam go to begin a genuine war with Cuba? The answer can be found in the declassified proposals for Operation Northwoods, a secret plan to wage false flag attacks on US citizens, soldiers, planes and ships, all with the goal of blaming these attacks on Cuba. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Thursday · 41 min
Death by Honey: The Legend of the Mellified Man
Have you ever heard of a 'human mummy confection'? While it may sound like a Halloween treat, the legend of the Mellified Man was once taken quite seriously. Humans and honey have a deep relationship that predates known history (and Homo sapiens entirely), and for centuries people believed some holy men would voluntarily consume honey until they died, at which point they would be interred in coffins full of honey. Let a century pass, then -- boom! -- you open the coffin and the gunk inside has become a miraculous healing agent, capable of curing everything that ails you. Join Ben, Noel, and Max as they dive deep into the bizarre legend of the "Mellified Man". See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Tuesday · 39 min
Let's Cook on Perpetual Stew
As summer finally mellows into Autumn, Ben, Noel, and Max could not be more excited about "soup weather". In today's episode, the guys explore the history of one of the most ingenious -- and, arguably, laziest -- inventions in culinary history. A dish with no set recipe, never emptied, and capable of cooking for years or decades at a time. This is the story of perpetual stew. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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September 26 · 28 min
CLASSIC: That Time Irish Separatists Invaded Canada
It’s true! Once upon a time, Irish separatists based in the United States thought invading Canada was the best way to reunify Ireland. Join the Ben, Noel, and Max as they explore the rise of the Fenians (and, along the way, why Canada is more than capable of defending itself) in today's Classic episode. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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September 24 · 34 min
Getting High with Ridiculous Crime: Reindeer Trips and Soothing Syrup
Did you know reindeer love tripping? Or that, once upon a time, otherwise responsible parents would dose their children with high-test opioids? In the second chapter of their ongoing series, Ben, Noel, and Max welcome returning guest Zaron Burnett, co-creator of Ridiculous Crime, to learn more about bizarre drugs of yesteryear. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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September 22 · 39 min
Getting High with Ridiculous Crime: Betel Nut and 'Asthma Cigarettes'
Have you ever gone full red-mouth off betel nut? Did you ever buy cigarettes to cure your asthma? When Ben, Noel, and Max first began exploring bizarre drugs of yesteryear, they had no idea that they'd stumbled across a continuing series. Luckily, the guys aren't returning to this Ridiculous History alone -- they're joined by special returning guest Zaron Burnett, co-creator of Ridiculous Crime, to learn even more about history's strangest drugs. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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September 19 · 31 min
CLASSIC: The Night Witches: How an All-female Soviet Bomb Squad Terrorized Nazi Germany
The 588th Night Bomber Regiment didn't have the best equipment, and they didn't have the best planes. What this all-female bomber regiment did have, however, was unstoppable ambition, brilliant strategies and dozens of fearless pilots. Listen in to learn more about the rise of the terrifying force the German soldiers called die Nachthexen -- the Night Witches. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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September 17 · 36 min
Mata Hari: Courtesan Turned WWI Double Agent?
By any measure, Margaretha Zelle led a fascinating life. As a Dutch dancer, socialite and courtesan called Mata Hari, her globe-trotting lifestyle caught the attention of both German and French intelligence agencies. And she happily took money from both sides. Yet, as Ben, Noel, and Max discover in today's episode, historians are still divided on the facts: Was Mata Hari really a master double agent... or a glamorous government scapegoat? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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September 15 · 31 min
That Time We Made Backpack Nukes
Nowadays, pretty much everyone knows that nuclear weapons are incredibly dangerous -- but, not too long ago, military leaders saw these things as shiny new toys. Sure, they spent a lot of time trying to make bombs bigger. But they also spent a lot of time trying to make bombs smaller. They wanted something small enough for troops to physically carry into the battlefield, evading enemy lines and creating targeted explosions. In today's episode, Ben, Noel, and Max dive into the ridiculous history of 'backpack bombs' and learn how, along with their obvious drawbacks, these devices also had a terrifying habit of going missing. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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September 12 · 31 min
CLASSIC: Bug Wars: When We Tried to Turn Insects into Soldiers
Let's be honest: Bugs aren't everyone's cup of tea, but they're fascinating, crucial parts of the ecosystem. They're also, according to a few eggheads, the perfect weapons of war. Join the guys as they explore the bizarre experiments governments conducted in the field of entomological warfare. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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September 10 · 29 min
CLASSIC: Yasuke, the African Samurai
Japanese Daimyo Oda Nobunaga was fascinated by the mysterious, towering slave of a visiting Jesuit missionary, and soon this man, Yasuke, joined Nobunaga's court, eventually becoming a full-on samurai. Join the guys as they explore the strange life of the African-born samurai, Yasuke. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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September 8 · 34 min
CLASSIC: The Prussian King Friedrich Wilhelm I Tried To Make An Army of Super Tall Soldiers
Prussian King Friedrich Wilhelm was fascinated by all things military, but the crown jewel of his army was a group known as the Potsdam Giants -- men recruited on the basis of their height alone. If these tall boys, teens and men didn't want to sign up for the Giants, the King had no problem kidnapping them. Listen in to learn more about the strange story of the Potsdam Giants. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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September 5 · 50 min
CLASSIC: Playboy, Progressive Politics and Stand-up: The Dick Gregory Story, with Wayne Federman
In this episode, Wayne Federman joins the guys to explore the rise of legendary comedian Dick Gregory, who began life as a boundary-breaking stand-up comic. Tune in as the gang explore's Gregory's evolution, his association with Hugh Hefner, and his later calling as a full-time civil rights activist. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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September 3 · 42 min
The Ridiculous Racist Origin of Tipping, Part Two: The Great Debate and Anti-tipping Crusades
While tipping is widely accepted (and expected) in the United States today, this wasn't always the case. In the second part of this special two-part series, Ben, Noel, and Max learn how scheming corporations used tipping as a way to exploit newly-freed employees... and how the anti-tipping movement became prevalent enough to end up as part of Presidential campaigns. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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September 1 · 36 min
The Ridiculous Racist Origin of Tipping, Part One: A Gratuitous History of Gratuity
What's the best meal you've ever had at a restaurant? If it was in the United States, odds are you paid your tab -- and then added an extra fee on top of that. While tipping didn't originate in the USA, the States have the world's most prevalent (and infamous) tipping culture. And ever since the Civil War, it's been a hot-button issue: Should you tip? If so, whom, and how much? In the first part of this severely biased two-part series, Ben, Noel, and Max dive into the debate... and learn the disturbing origin of American tipping along the way. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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August 29 · 34 min
CLASSIC: I Modi: The Scandalous Erotic Blockbuster Banned By The Vatican
Nowadays it's no secret that some Papal administrations from centuries past were a bit more scandalous than others, but when master engraver Marcantonio Raimondi created prints of explicit art located within the papal palace, the church was scandalized. Learn more about the bizarre tale of "The Sixteen Pleasures". See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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August 27 · 34 min
The Dark Side of Frank Lloyd Wright, Part Two: Mass Murder, Cults, and the FBI
Even if you're not an architecture enthusiast, odds are you've heard of Frank Lloyd Wright. This massively famous architect fundamentally changed the discipline of architecture as we know it. Yet as Ben, Noel and Max learn in the second part of this special two-part series, Frank made a lot of enemies on his way to success. Tune in to learn how one of his employees committed mass murder -- and why J. Edgar Hoover's FBI spent years trying to prove he was a spy or a cult leader. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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August 25 · 44 min
The Dark Side of Frank Lloyd Wright, Part One: Professional Success and Personal Turmoil
Frank Lloyd Wright is one of the world's most well-known, storied (ha) architects. Several of his works are official UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and he has undeniably influenced countless architects in the modern day. However, as Ben, Noel, and Max learn in the first part of this special two-part series, Frank's massive professional success came with a dark side: accusations of cult activity, scandalous affairs, and even mass murder. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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August 22 · 50 min
CLASSIC: Patriots, Prisoners and Plants: The World of Political Body Doubles
Has anyone ever told you you resemble a celebrity? Have you ever thought of making this resemblance your job? In today’s Classic episode, Ben, Noel and Casey explore real-life stories of body doubles, from World War II to surprisingly recent events. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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August 20 · 44 min
Who Took William Lilly’s Fish?
Back in seventeenth century England, William Lilly was a big deal. As the preeminent astrologer of his day, pretty much everyone followed his research, predictions, and writing. Yet as Ben, Noel and Max discover in today's episode, Lilly was also an occasional detective -- and when he learned a precious shipment of fish and Portugese onions had been stolen, he used the wisdom of the heavens to nail the culprit. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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