Ridiculous History

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Latest Episodes:

History's Most Ridiculous Clothing, with AJ Jacobs: Part One Apr 29, 2025

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It's no secret that history is filled with relatively arbitrary fashion rules, fads and faux pas -- and what may be hot stuff in one era often ends up being seen as cringeworthy in later years. But how ridiculous does clothing of yesteryear get? In part one of this week's special two-part series, Ben, Noel and Max welcome their returning guest, the legendary author and podcaster AJ "Bahamas" Jacobs as he breaks down some of history's most ridiculous fashion trends -- beginning, of course, with some of history's most bizarre hats.

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CLASSIC: War and Candy: The Infamous Tootsie Roll Air Drop Apr 26, 2025

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During the battle of the Chosin Reservoir during the Korean War, the First Marine Division seemed doomed. Surrounded, outnumbered, outgunned and running dangerously low on ammunition, the Marines called for an airdrop of ammo only to receive... pallets of tootsie rolls. Over the next two bloody, violent weeks these tiny candies turned out be much more useful than anyone could have predicted -- tune in to learn why some Marines credit their survival to this oft-maligned, strange piece of candy in this week's Classic episode.

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A Ridiculous History of Tupperware Apr 24, 2025

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Burrrrp! The sound is familiar to any fan of Tupperware -- it's that little whoosh of air when you push down the lid and remove excess air. But what exactly is Tupperware? How did it become such an ubiquitous part of U.S. kitchens? In today's episode, Ben, Noel and Max dive deep into the surprisingly dramatic rise of Tupperware... and how the unsung hero Brownie Wise took it from a novelty product to worldwide fame.

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Seven Wonders of the Ancient World - Mausoleum at Halicarnassus Apr 22, 2025

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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 of the Ancient World with the story of a tomb so opulent that humans ended up making a brand-new word to describe it: the Mausolem (at Halicarnassus).

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CLASSIC: The Man Who Assassinated Abe Lincoln's Assassin Apr 19, 2025

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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 troops in pursuit of the assassin had orders to bring Booth and any of his conspirators back alive. For most of the soldiers, this wasn't a problem. However, Boston Corbett felt he answered to a higher power -- and this higher power told him that Booth deserved to die. Tune in as we explore the (bizarre) life and times of Boston Corbett. In this weekend's Classic episode, Ben, Noel and Casey ask: "So other than that, Mrs. Lincoln -- how did you find the play?"

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Paul Is Dead, Part Two: Welcome to the Walrus Apr 17, 2025

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After a US-based college student pens a satirical article exploring hippy folklore and the Beatles, mainstream media takes off -- "Is Paul McCartney actually dead?" they ask, in a growing fever pitch. In part two of this series, Ben, Noel and Max explore the continuing saga of the greatest conspiracy theory in all of modern music.

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Paul Is Dead, Part One: The Beatles versus MI5 Apr 15, 2025

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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 McCartney? As the theory goes, Paul Prime actually died in a car accident in November of 1966. With millions of fans -- and dollars! -- on the line, the remaining Beatles and MI5 conspired to cover the whole thing up, replacing Paul Prime with a body double to avoid public chaos. Yet, as Ben, Noel and Max discover in part one of this bizarre, twisting tale, The Beatles may have harbored deep regrets... and began hiding clues to the truth in their music. Strap in, folks: this one goes deep.

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CLASSIC: The Cock Lane Ghost: Haunting, Hoax, Hysteria… or Hilarious? Apr 12, 2025

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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 in knocks and scratches, reacting to yes or no questions and, according to some observers, seeking justice from beyond the grave. But who was this spirit, exactly? What did this poltergeist have to do with William Kent and his ongoing dispute with landlord Richard Parsons? In today's classic episode, join the guys as they delve into the strange, strange story of the Cock Lane ghost.

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CLASSIC: Roland the Farter and the Weird World of Professional Flatulence Apr 10, 2025

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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 to turn this embarrassing bodily function into a full-time job. Join Ben and Noel as they explore the weird, weird world of professional flatulence.

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CLASSIC: Gregor MacGregor Invented a Country and Convinced People to Invest in It Apr 08, 2025

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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 made a huge impression. Hundreds of people jumped at the chance to buy land in his remote, Central American paradise. There was only one problem -- the Cacique, whose real name was Gregor Macgregor, made the entire nation up out of thin air in one of history's largest, most audacious (and most ridiculous) scams. This is the Classic episode so ridiculous we made a t-shirt out of it.

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