Ridiculous History

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Latest Episodes:

CLASSIC: That Time We Erased a (HUGE) Waterfall Sep 07, 2024

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It's often been said that "the art of losing isn't hard to master", and humanity overall seems to have a knack for losing everything from car keys to entire civilizations. Join Ben and Noel as they travel (vicariously) to South America and delve into the story of two nations who, eventually, lost an entire waterfall in this week's Classic episode.

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Patents Are Absolutely Bonkers: An Origin Story Sep 05, 2024

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Have you ever had a good idea -- like, a brilliant idea? If so, you may have immediately started trying to figure out the cartoonishly complicated, labyrinthine world of patents. In today's episode, the guys dive into the strange history of the concept and process of patents.

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That Time a Swedish Queen Became So Enlightened, She Quit Being the Queen Sep 03, 2024

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Christina wasn't your average monarch of her day -- while many rulers sought to subjugate and terrorize their kingdoms, she sought to acquire knowledge, and to empower the public with information. Often called the "Minerva of the North," this ruler skillfully navigated treacherous geopolitical waters while also seeking to establish Stockholm as an international center of intellectual and philosophical thought. Eventually, she quit the job altogether.

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CLASSIC: The Poetic Justice of Death by Molten Gold Aug 31, 2024

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It's a grisly death familiar to many fans of fiction and fantasy -- a hapless, greedy villain meets their end by having molten metal, often lead or gold, poured upon them or down their throats. But was this morbid means of execution ever used in real life? Join the guys as they dive into the deadly science of real-life murder by molten gold in this week's Classic episode.

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You Auto-go to the Drive-in, Part Two: Driving In and Out of History Aug 29, 2024

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What made drive-in theatres so iconic? What led to their demise? In the second part of this week's two-part episode, Ben, Noel and Max investigate the rise and fall of the old-school drive-in.

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You Auto-go to the Drive-in, Part One: Cars Meet Cinema Aug 27, 2024

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Have you ever visited a drive-in theatre? These fascinating outfits are increasingly rare in 2024, but not too long ago they were all the rage. In the first part of this week's two-part episode, Ben, Noel and Max dive into the origin story of the iconic drive-in cinema.

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CLASSIC: Japan, Baseball and the Curse of the Colonel Aug 24, 2024

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First things first: You may think Kentucky Fried Chicken is popular in the States, but we've got nothing on Japan. Join the guys as they delve into a story involving baseball, fried chicken, superstition, curses and drunken revelry in today's episode on the Hanshin Tigers and the infamous Curse of the Colonel in today's Classic episode.

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The Disturbing History of Last Meals, Part Two: Famous Final Snacks Aug 22, 2024

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Now that we know the origin of last meals, it's time to dive into the reality of this somewhat disturbing practice. In the second part of this special two-part episode, Ben and Noel don't just walk explore the final suppers of criminals, presidents, and celebrities -- they also give you the inside scoop on some of your favorite podcasters' last meals.

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The Disturbing History of Last Meals, Part One: A Creepy Origin Story Aug 20, 2024

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It's a classic trope of crime stories and folklore across the planet: a criminal due for execution is granted one last meal as a send-off to the afterlife. But where exactly does this strange practice come from? The Biblical Last Supper is by far the most famous example of a last meal in the Western world -- but, as Ben and Noel learn in this special two-part episode, this is far from the first example of this bizarre, at-times ghoulish practice. Tune in to learn more.

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CLASSIC: That Time the US Built a Flying Aircraft Carrier Aug 17, 2024

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Nowadays airships are seen as historical relics or novelties meant to fly overhead during sports games. However, not so long ago, the US military thought airships might be the future of warfare. Today the guys delve into the strange history of the USS Akron, an airship designed not just to carry human beings -- but to carry planes as well. Learn more about the construction of the Akron -- and why it's not aloft today -- in today's Classic episode.

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