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History Is Absolutely Riddled With Famous Mistranslations
True story: back in the late 70s, US President Jimmy Carter accidentally claimed he'd left the states forever, and wanted to sleep with everyone in Poland. According to legendary marketing lore, Peps…
Published on 1 year, 10 months ago
Stuff That Got Left Over, Part Two: Hot Tubs, The Last Shantyman, President Taft Had Pet Cows
In our continually ridiculous mission to explore the funniest events of yesteryear, Ben, Noel and Max often leave some stones unturned. In today's episode the gang pays their respects to the last sha…
Published on 1 year, 10 months ago
The Puzzler Returns, Part Two: A Field Trip to the CIA
True story: in the heart of the CIA headquarters at Langley, Virginia, there's a puzzle no one has solved. In the second part of this special two-part episode, Ben, Noel and Max join up with returnin…
Published on 1 year, 10 months ago
The Puzzler Returns, Part One: Puzzles and Spies
For most people, puzzles are a fun, fascinating diversion. Yet throughout history, they've also played a crucial role in the great game of espionage. Join Ben, Noel and Max as they welcome their retu…
Published on 1 year, 10 months ago
A Boeing Wonderland, Part Two: A Fake Rooftop City For All!
As paranoia increases in the wake of the Pearl Harbor attacks, amateur magician (and storied military official) John Francis Ohmer, Jr. finds Uncle Sam and Hollywood increasingly onboard with his ide…
Published on 1 year, 11 months ago
A Boeing Wonderland, Part One: A Magician Tries to Camouflage Entire Airfields
In the wake of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, paranoia reigned across the western US -- and the country entirely. From California to Washington, civilians and the military alike were terrified …
Published on 1 year, 11 months ago
Calvin Coolidge Was Super Weird...and Surprisingly Cool
When President Warren G Harding passed away abruptly while in office, his Vice President Calvin Coolidge assumed in the role of Commander in Chief. Today, he's not as well-known as other US President…
Published on 1 year, 11 months ago
The Ridiculous History of Baseball Caps: How One Hat Traveled the World
Nowadays it feels like everyone has a baseball cap at home... even though most of the folks wearing them do not, in fact, play baseball. So how did this one type of hat become so ubiquitous -- not ju…
Published on 1 year, 11 months ago
Breeching: A Weird Historical Obsession with Children's Pants
Have you ever looked at a childhood photo of a noted historical dude and thought -- huh, why did his folks put him in a dress? If so, you're seeing evidence of a strange parenting practice of yestery…
Published on 1 year, 11 months ago
The Salton Sea: How A Little Whoopsie Turned into Ecological Disaster
Located in southern Riverside and northern Imperial counties, the Salton Sea is California's largest lake. Although large seas have cyclically formed and dried over historic time due to natural flood…
Published on 1 year, 11 months ago