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Ancient Mesopotamian Societies Sacrificed Substitute Kings to Eclipses
Thousands of years before the current day, ancient civilizations accurately predicted both lunar and solar eclipses. They often believed these events…
5 years, 2 months ago
The Mad Gasser of Mattoon, Part 2
As the small town of Mattoon captured national attention during the reign of the Mad Gasser, the investigation took a turn. Authorities were baffled …
5 years, 2 months ago
The Mad Gasser of Mattoon, Part 1
As wartime fears peaked across the US during World War II, people throughout the nation were overwhelmed with fears of invading Nazis, secret biologi…
5 years, 3 months ago
A Currency for Colonies: The Strange Story of "Leprosy Money"
For thousands of years people across the planet lived in fear of leprosy (now known as ‘Hansen's Disease). In many cases, people infected with the di…
5 years, 3 months ago
Wyoming Tales, Part 2: Absaroka, the State That Almost Was
Back in the 1930s, the residents of Wyoming, Montana and South Dakota felt the federal government— and the state legislatures— ignored them. They fel…
5 years, 3 months ago
Wyoming Tales, Part 1: Walking in the Shoes of Big Nose George
George Parrott was a career outlaw -- a known thief, murderer and would-be train robber. When justice finally caught up with him and his game, he was…
5 years, 3 months ago
The Rise and Fall of the Flea Circus, Part 2
In the second part of this two-part episode, Ben, Noel and special guest Gabe Luzier drill down into the nuts and bolts of flea circuses -- how did t…
5 years, 3 months ago
The Rise and Fall of the Flea Circus, Part 1
Fleas -- they're one of the only animals Ben actually doesn't like! Yet, once upon a time, these bloodsucking nuisances were star performers in novel…
5 years, 3 months ago
History's Most Ridiculous (and Deadly) Beauty Trends
It's a Ridiculous History takeover! In honor of International Women's Day, join the hosts of the podcast Stuff Mom Never Told You for this very speci…
5 years, 3 months ago
Billy Cottrell, the Tyrant Mayor of Cedar Key, Florida
The politically-connected, cartoonishly belligerent Billy Cottrell was a terrible Mayor, hated and feared by the locals of Cedar Key, Florida -- and …
5 years, 3 months ago