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The Ridiculous History of Credit Cards
When you think about it, credit cards are a pretty fascinating idea -- they're convenient, ubiquitous and, often, predatory. In today's episode, Ben,…
1 year, 10 months ago
CLASSIC: San Francisco's Egg War
How much would you pay for an egg? Would you kill for one? In today's classic episode, join the guys as they explore the strange story of the Gold Ru…
1 year, 10 months ago
Introducing: Sixteenth Minute (of Fame)
Hi Ridiculous History Fans! Take a listen to the trailer of our newest show Sixteenth Minute (of Fame)
About the show: Sixteenth Minute (of Fame) is …
1 year, 10 months ago
Skyscrapers, Part Two: An Arms Race to the Sky
Once society became convinced that you could build skyscrapers without them immediately collapsing, cities across the United States -- and, soon the …
1 year, 10 months ago
Skyscrapers, Part One: A Guy and a Birdcage
Skyscrapers are beautiful -- and utterly ridiculous. In the first part of this two-part episode, Ben, Noel and Max learn how modern skyscrapers were …
1 year, 10 months ago
CLASSIC: The Wild West Was Actually Pretty Chill
If you're like most people, the phrase "Wild West" conjures images of brutal gunfights in dusty, tumbleweed-ridden streets, visions of criminals slin…
1 year, 10 months ago
On Theme, Part Two: The Cyclical Evolution of Music
As Ernest Hogan reaches new heights of success, critics turn against ragtime and "coon songs," prompting a larger conversation about the cyclical nat…
1 year, 10 months ago
On Theme, Part One: Ernest Hogan's Success and Regret
Today the world agrees minstrel shows were horrific, weaponized stereotypes meant to dehumanize people. But not too long ago, minstrel shows and the …
1 year, 10 months ago
CLASSIC: How A Grudge Match Launched the Ford GT40
Today the Ford GT40 is one of the world's most iconic vehicles -- but this award winning automotive beast is, it turns out, the result of a serious g…
1 year, 10 months ago
The QWERTY Keyboard is Purposely Bad
If you're like most folks in the West, your laptop and phone use something called the QWERTY keyboard, named for the six letters at the upper left of…
1 year, 10 months ago