Our Fake History Episode #240 - Who Invented the Wild West? (Part I)
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Dec 2, 2025 Discover the fascinating life of Buffalo Bill Cody, a master mythmaker who transformed his buffalo hunting exploits into theatrical spectacle. Explore how he crafted a larger-than-life persona, complete with dubious tales of Pony Express heroism and battle exaggerations. Marvel at his transition from dime novels to stage presence, where he first staged his life for audiences. Uncover how Cody's Wild West show shaped the iconic image of the American West and solidified his legacy as a pioneer of western entertainment.
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Nickname Turned Labor Into Legend
- William Cody turned his real buffalo hunting work into a catchy public persona called "Buffalo Bill."
- The nickname and couplet helped transform ordinary frontier labor into a marketable legend.
Manufactured Origin Story
- Cody likely fabricated the famous Buffalo Hunt with William Comstock to absorb Comstock's fame into his own.
- Historians find no contemporary evidence and note Comstock was a fugitive in 1867, undermining Cody's account.
Myth-Friendly Frontier Culture
- The West was already a myth-friendly culture that rewarded colorful nicknames and dramatic lives.
- Buffalo Bill exploited dime novels and public appetite to convert frontier exploits into celebrity.
