Everything Everywhere Daily Snake oil (Encore)
Jan 28, 2023
Discover the surprising origins of snake oil and its transformation into a symbol of deception. The podcast dives into how snake oil was originally a legitimate remedy used by Chinese laborers, only to be tainted by fraud in the hands of slick marketers. Learn about the historical impacts of these misleading claims and the regulatory changes sparked by such practices. This engaging discussion unpacks why we still use snake oil as a metaphor for trickery in today's world.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Chinese Railroad Workers' Remedy
- Chinese railroad workers used a traditional snake oil ointment to relieve sore muscles and hands after back-breaking labor.
- They shared the remedy with American workers, which spread demand for snake oil in 19th-century America.
Original Snake Oil Had Real Benefits
- Actual snake oil from Chinese water snakes is high in the omega-3 fatty acid EPA and was used to treat arthritis and sore muscles.
- Modern studies and traditional pharmacies suggest the original product had real pharmacological effects.
Clark Stanley's Traveling Show
- Clark Stanley, the self-proclaimed rattlesnake king, built a theatrical show to sell his 'Snake Oil Liniment' across the country.
- At the 1893 Chicago World's Fair he famously demonstrated making the liniment live, boosting sales and legend.
