Ridiculous History

Explore the bizarre journeys of American soldiers who defected to North Korea, chasing fame in the film industry. Discover the story of Sergeant Charles Jenkins, who crossed the DMZ for stardom, and learn about the role of defectors in North Korean propaganda films. From forced indoctrination to cult-like conditions, the discussion dives into the motives behind their choices. Uncover the strange world of North Korean cinema and Kim Jong-il's obsession with film, along with the contrasting experiences of those who regret their decisions.

Discover the fascinating saga of the Temple of Artemis, built and rebuilt three times before vanishing. Unravel Artemis’s significance in ancient life and childbirth. Learn about the temple's glorious location in Ephesus and the legendary Amazons. Explore the catastrophic events that led to its destruction, including fire and floods. Marvel at architectural advancements under Croesus, and hear about its grand designs that made it a Wonder of the World. Delve into its legacy, including how it influences modern games.

Explore the bizarre obsession with radium in consumer products that flourished before the dangers of radiation were fully understood. Discover the marketing strategies that turned toxic elements into fashionable must-haves, from radium-infused beverages and cosmetics to luminous watches. Delve into the harrowing story of the Radium Girls, their fight against corporate negligence, and the tragic consequences of radium exposure. Learn about the public's awakening to these dangers through high-profile cases like Eben Byers, culminating in regulatory reforms.

Discover the bizarre fate of the German submarine U-1206, which sank due to a malfunctioning high-tech toilet. This innovative design featured complex valves but ultimately led to disaster when seawater flooded the sub. As toxic gas filled the air, the crew was forced to surface, making them easy targets for Allied forces. Learn about the strange blend of technology and misfortune that turned a deadly war machine into a laughingstock, and enjoy some quirky naval slang along the way!

This week’s guest is Katie Golden, the insightful host of Creature Feature, known for her captivating storytelling on animal behavior. The discussion dives into the dark tetrad traits—narcissism, psychopathy, Machiavellianism, and sadism—as they relate to animals. Katie shares wild stories, like the black-footed cat's impressive killing spree and the eerie manipulation of orb weaver spiders by parasitic wasps. The conversation blurs the lines between animal instincts and perceived 'evil', revealing how nature's strategies mirror humanity in astounding ways.

In 1895, Gustaf Broman launched an audacious plan to cross the Atlantic in a dubious 13-foot log boat. His journey began with a bizarre rail-and-naphtha route from Oregon to New York. As crowds gathered to see the spectacle, the boat quickly capsized, drawing mockery from the press. Behind his charming facade lay a history of scams, insurance fraud, and criminal dealings. With a suspicious past and a potential motive to fake his death for insurance money, Broman's story unravels into a darkly entertaining tale.

Discover the intriguing origins of the Tooth Fairy, a profit-making myth that emerged from European traditions. Delve into childhood memories and the ethical dilemmas surrounding fantasy figures like Santa. Explore how post-WWII America and Disney influenced this whimsical character. Learn about tooth valorization, with a surprising value of over $3 for each lost tooth, and hear about a quirky find of 1,000 hidden baby teeth. The episode concludes with global customs, revealing how different cultures celebrate tooth loss.

Join Jonathan Strickland, known as 'the Quizster' for his trivia flair, as he dives into the infamous blunder of Viking leaders Halfdan and Bjorn. Discover how their ambition to raid Rome led to an embarrassing mistake where they actually sacked Luna instead. The hosts explore Viking culture, the legacy of Ragnar's raids, and how Dudo of St. Quentin's accounts shape our understanding of these events. Plus, enjoy a fun quiz segment featuring a disastrous English expedition to Cadiz, highlighting the chaos of history!

Dive into the wild world of 1600s Dutch Tulipmania, where bulbs became so desirable they were traded like currency. Discover how tulips turned into speculative assets, with contracts resembling modern-day futures. Uncover the fascinating reasons behind their rarity and immense prices, including the allure of unique patterns. As prices skyrocketed, learn about the dramatic crash and the myths that grew around it. This tale holds surprising parallels to today's investment bubbles, offering valuable lessons on market dynamics and caution.

In this lively discussion, Christopher Hassiotis, a passionate historian and returning contributor, dives into the wacky world of military prototypes. He shares the bizarre tale of Admiral Popov's round ships, which sank faster than they could float. The Gyrojet rocket bullets, designed for thrilling uses, fell flat due to reliability issues. Christopher also unveils the quirky Confederate double-barreled chain cannon, while Ben describes the fascinating yet impractical ball tank. The quirks and failures of military innovation never sounded so entertaining!