Ridiculous History

You've probably heard that France takes its bread seriously -- but did you know France had specific laws governing the lives of bakers? For centuries the country regulated how and when bakers could close or take vacation. Although this may sound amusing now, in the past it was a deadly serious issue. So what happened? In today's classic episode, let's revisit the events that lead to the French government being so frightfully concerned about bakers taking time off.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Explore the dark and complicated history of soap, from its earliest formulations involving animal and human fat mixed with ashes, to the accidental discovery of soap's origins. Delve into the history and ubiquity of soap, its humble origins transforming into a multi-billion dollar industry. Discover the historical origins of soap, ancient soap recipes, and the improvements soap brought to hygiene practices. Hear hilarious anecdotes involving bodily functions and learn about the evolution of soap from smelly misconceptions to modern cleaners.

Everyone knows the Nike swoosh — but where did it come from? In today’s episode, the guys dive into the origin story of one of the world’s most recognizable brands, from its humble beginnings to its status as a modern-day icon.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How far would you go in the name of love? In this installment of The Architecture, Ben, Noel and Max dive into more amazing -- and ridiculous -- tales of people who literally constructed buildings as a means of revenge.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

At its best, architecture is a kind of poetry made tangible, frozen in time for generations to come. But, as it turns out, architecture can also be a tremendous avenue for all sorts of less cool emotions: pettiness, spite, vengeance -- you name it.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Exploring the confusing nature of intellectual property law, including parody, fair use, trademark infringement, and patent trolling. Discussions on the complexities of character design, parodies, and copyright infringement. Shoutouts, sponsor ads, and an upcoming show announcement.

Explore the ridiculous history of intellectual property, from its ancient origins to modern times. Discover the delicate balance between protecting IP and fostering creativity, the importance of copyright laws, and the early beginnings of IP protection in the United States. The hosts also discuss intriguing topics like patent trolls, local influencers, and Eric Andre's 'Bombing with Eric Andre' podcast.

In this podcast, the hosts explore the forgotten World War II battles in Alaska and the challenges faced by American forces in the Aleutian Islands. They discuss the Japanese invasion of the Aleutian Islands, the conditions faced by soldiers during the campaign, and the strategic significance of the Alaskan islands. The podcast also includes sponsor ads for eBay Motors.com and Starbucks' new frozen lemonade refresher beverages.

Despite the name, Vatican City is an independent, sovereign nation -- and its history may surprise you. In today's episode, Ben, Noel and Max explore the story of the Vatican from its origins all the way to the modern day.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Explore the success of rap and how the FBI accidentally helped NWA reach worldwide success. Discuss the universal love for music, the origins and evolution of hip hop DJing, the emergence of gangster rap, the influence of hip-hop artists on personal expression, and the impact of NWA's 'Straight Outta Compton' on hip hop culture. Acknowledge the global reach of hip-hop and its impact on pop culture and social justice.