Ridiculous History

iHeartPodcasts
  • 4.2 (4.3K)
  • HISTORY
  • UPDATED SEMIWEEKLY
Ridiculous History

History is beautiful, brutal and, often, ridiculous. Join Ben Bowlin and Noel Brown as they dive into some of the weirdest stories from across the span of human civilization in Ridiculous History, a podcast by iHeartRadio.

  1. 1 DAY AGO

    Some of History's Funniest Honorifics, Part One: The Babymaker, the Debauchee, and More

    Honorifics are perhaps best described as the fancier version of nicknames, with some of the same familiar rules: just like nicknames, you don't get to give yourself an honorific. And, again, just like nicknames, not all honorifics are particularly flattering. What do we mean? Join Ben, Noel and Max to learn more about ridiculous honorifics in today's episode. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    40 min

  2. 6 DAYS AGO

    IP, Part Two: The Baffling World of Trademarks

    What does it mean to own an idea, a brand, a catchphrase or a concept? In part two of their continuing exploration of the weird world of intellectual property, the guys suss out what exactly is (or isn't) a trademark, and why people still find it so confusing in the modern day. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    50 min

  3. JAN 22

    A Ton of Inventors Died Due To Their Own Inventions, Chapter Two: Li Si and the Five Pains

    The world is riddled with inventors whose discoveries led to their demise. Thomas Midgley, Jr. is the world's worst inventor. Marie Curie discovered radioactivity and it killed her. Li Si invented the torture method his Emperor would later use for his own execution. In the newest installment of this continuing series, Ben, Noel, and Max explore more stories of inventors who died as a result of their own discoveries. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    37 min

  4. JAN 18

    CLASSIC: The 1904 Racist Summer Olympic Games in St. Louis

    A few years after Baron Pierre de Coubertin revived the ancient sporting event known as the Olympics, he brought the games to the U.S. for the first time. The 1904 Summer Olympics were held in St. Louis, Missouri, coinciding with the 1904 World's Fair. Seems set to make history, right? Not the way you'd think. Join Ben and Noel as they take a closer look at the series of disastrous decisions and bizarre notions that led one games organizer to set up his own racist olympics in this week's Classic episode. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    34 min

  5. JAN 16

    The Ridiculously Ambitious History of the World's Fair, Part Two: Things Don't Always Work Out

    On paper -- and, often, in practice -- the world's fair is an astonishing global showcase of groundbreaking innovations. However, as Ben, Noel and Max discover in the second part of this two-part series, not every world's fair has been a success. Tune in as the guys explore several ill-fated examples of expositions gone wrong in California and Louisiana. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    45 min

  6. JAN 14

    The Ridiculously Ambitious History of the World's Fair, Part One: A Crazy Plan, and Crazy Success

    Have you ever dreamed of going to a science fair as an adult? If so, the world's fair is for you -- these massive international exhibitions occur around the world, usually running for three to six months. And each world's fair include exhibits from a significant number of countries, inventors, and companies with new (potential) breakthroughs for society. In part one of this special two-part episode, Ben, Noel and Max explore world's fair success stories -- along with a mysterious fire. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    47 min

  7. JAN 11

    CLASSIC: Why British Soccer Players Saluted the Nazis

    As global tensions grew to a breaking point in the lead-up to World War II, European nations used every available avenue to pursue their goals, including the propagandistic power of sporting events. Join Ben and Noel as they explore the strange geopolitical policy of appeasement -- and how it led British soccer players to salute Nazi officials -- in this week's Classic episode. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    41 min

  8. JAN 9

    How Dogs Went Domestic, Part Two: Yes, Dogs Know What You're Thinking

    Imagine: at multiple points in history, despite their ecological rivalry, a few humans and a few wolves teamed up for a greater good. Fast forward thousands of years, and boom: dogs. Also, modern humans. Yet: Who domesticated whom? In part two of this special two-part series, Ben, Noel and Max explore the ridiculously inspiring story of humanity's best friend. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    51 min
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Hosts & Guests

4.2
out of 5
4,282 Ratings

About

History is beautiful, brutal and, often, ridiculous. Join Ben Bowlin and Noel Brown as they dive into some of the weirdest stories from across the span of human civilization in Ridiculous History, a podcast by iHeartRadio.

Information

  • Channel
    iHeartPodcasts
  • Creator
    iHeartPodcasts
  • Years Active
    2017 - 2025
  • Episodes
    825
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    2025 iHeartMedia, Inc. © Any use of this intellectual property for text and data mining or computational analysis including as training material for artificial intelligence systems is strictly prohibited without express written consent from iHeartMedia
  • Show Website
    Ridiculous History
  • Provider
    iHeartMedia + Entertainment, Inc

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