Archives and Anchovies

James Kulon
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Documentary
  • Updated Weekly

Archives and Anchovies is a history podcast covering forgotten stories, military history, Cold War events, American Revolutionary War history, accidental inventions, and the unexpected origins of everyday things - researched and told without the textbook filter. Recent episodes have explored the Soviet officer who prevented nuclear war in 1983, the man who survived both atomic bombs, the Marines who marched 500 miles through the Barbary Coast, and the accidental invention of the microwave. I research these stories myself because I think they're worth doing right. New episodes every Tuesday. Watch the YouTube version with archival imagery at youtube.com/@Archives_and_Anchovies. Everything has a history.

  1. 10h ago

    Ep. 28 | The Secret Spy Ring That Saved Geroge Washington's Army

    George Washington's Culper Spy Ring — the piece of history uncovered in this podcast— used invisible ink and coded messages to outsmart the British. The final member wasn't identified for over 150 years. In 1778, with the Continental Army on the brink of defeat, Washington authorized a secret intelligence network in British-occupied New York. Known as the Culper Ring, these ordinary civilians — a farmer, a shopkeeper, a tavern owner — risked execution to pass military secrets using dead drops, numerical ciphers, and a chemical ink that only appeared when treated with a special reagent. This episode covers: • How Nathan Hale's execution convinced Washington he needed spies, not soldiers • The invisible ink formula developed by John Jay's brother and how it worked • The identities of the known Culper Ring members and their methods • The woman spy known only as Agent 355 — still unidentified today • How the spy ring exposed Benedict Arnold's betrayal and saved French forces

    14 min

  2. Jun 2

    Ep.27 | The Soviet Officer Who Saved the World (and got reprimanded for it)

    The story of Stanislav Petrov, a Soviet soldier who prevented a nuclear war by disobeying orders to launch a counterattack in response to a false alarm, is a remarkable tale of courage and intuition. Petrov's actions saved the world from potential devastation, yet he faced reprimand and silence for his heroic decision. His story is a powerful reminder of the impact of individual choices on global events and the lack of recognition for extraordinary acts. Takeaways Courage and intuition can play a crucial role in decision-making, especially in high-stakes situations.The lack of recognition for extraordinary acts and the impact of individual choices on global events are important themes highlighted in Petrov's story. Chapters 00:00 The Unnoticed Departure

    16 min

  3. May 19

    Ep. 26 | How a Melted Chocolate Bar Invented the Microwave

    The story of Percy Spencer, a self-taught engineer from Howland, Maine, who discovered microwave cooking and revolutionized the kitchen appliance industry. His journey from hardship and loss to curiosity and resilience led to the accidental invention of the microwave oven, changing the world forever. Takeaways Curiosity and resilience drive innovationSelf-education and determination can lead to groundbreaking discoveries Chapters 00:00 The Accidental Discovery05:13 Self-Education and Naval Service11:41 The Significance of Radar in World War II18:37 Discovery of Microwave Cooking25:05 Adoption of Microwave Ovens in American Homes30:09 Percy Spencer's Impact and Legacy

    23 min

  4. May 5

    Ep. 25 | Three Days in August: How One Man Survived Hiroshima and Nagasaki

    In August 1945, the United States dropped atomic bombs on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki three days apart — killing over 100,000 people and changing the course of history. Tsutomu Yamaguchi was present at both explosions. He was 3 kilometers from the hypocenter in Hiroshima on August 6th. He boarded a train, went home to Nagasaki, returned to work, and was 3 kilometers from the hypocenter again on August 9th. He survived both. He lived to 93. In this episode, we trace the full story — from the secret Manhattan Project laboratories of New Mexico, to the moral and political debate over why the bombs were dropped, to Yamaguchi's remarkable firsthand account of what he saw, what he felt, and what he spent the rest of his life saying about it. In his own words: "The reason I hate the atomic bomb is because of what it does to the dignity of human beings." This is the story of the only person ever officially recognized by the Japanese government as a survivor of both bombings — and of the message he carried for the rest of his life. Here are the resources mentioned in the episode, if you want to go deeper: - Hiroshima by John Hersey — the foundational first-person account of six survivors, published in the New Yorker in 1946 - The Making of the Atomic Bomb by Richard Rhodes — the definitive history of the Manhattan Project, Pulitzer Prize winner - Nagasaki: Life After Nuclear War by Susan Southard — a deeply reported account of five hibakusha survivors - And the River Flowed as a Raft of Corpses — Yamaguchi's tanka poetry, translated and published by historian Chad R. Diehl - Twice Survived: The Doubly Atomic Bombed of Hiroshima and Nagasaki — the 2006 documentary screened at the United Nations

    27 min

  5. Apr 28

    Ep. 24 | Pappy Boyington and the Black Sheep Squadron : WWII's Greatest Misfits

    What do you get when you take a broke, debt-ridden, twice-divorced brawler with a drinking problem and hand him a pile of pilots nobody else wanted? Apparently, one of the most effective fighter squadrons of World War II. In this episode, we dig into the wild, complicated, and genuinely unhinged story of Major Gregory “Pappy” Boyington and VMF-214 — the Black Sheep Squadron. Assembled in two weeks from spare pilots and leftover planes, the Black Sheep flew some of the most intense combat missions of the Pacific War, racked up a staggering kill count, and did it all under a commanding officer who was simultaneously a combat genius and a complete personal catastrophe. We cover Boyington’s time with the Flying Tigers, the birth of the Black Sheep, the dogfights over Rabaul, his capture by the Japanese, his Medal of Honor, a memoir that angered half his former pilots, and a TV show that took considerable liberties with basically everything. History, humor, and one very complicated war hero.

    26 min

  6. Apr 21

    Ep. 23 | The Vice President Who Killed a Founding Father: The Hamilton-Burr Duel

    On July 11, 1804, Vice President Aaron Burr shot and killed Alexander Hamilton in a duel above the Hudson River. Hamilton died the next day. Burr fled murder charges. And America faced a question it had never encountered: What do you do when the sitting Vice President commits murder? For four months, Burr presided over the United States Senate while wanted for murder in two states. The Constitution had no mechanism to remove him. Congress didn't know what to do. President Jefferson stayed silent. It was a constitutional crisis solved by doing nothing. This episode explores the decades-long rivalry between Hamilton and Burr, the 1800 election that destroyed their relationship, the duel itself, and what happened afterward. We'll cover Burr's bizarre return to Washington, his treason trial, his exile, and how history remembered both men so differently. One duel. Two men. A constitutional crisis. And a murder that was never prosecuted.

    19 min

  7. Apr 10

    Ep.22 | Making Music With What You Have: Itzhak Perlman & Weird Al Yankovic

    The episode delves into the stories of Itzthak Perlman and Weird Al Yankovic, two virtuosos who chose joy and made the world better through their music and humanity. It explores Perlman's journey from overcoming polio to advocating for disability rights and Yankovic's mastery of the polka medley and his impact on the music industry. Takeaways Virtuosos who choose joyMastery isn't just about perfecting your craft; it's about using that craft to make the world a little bit better. Chapters 00:00 The Iron Lung and Classical Music06:04 Itzthak Perlman: Advocacy and Persistence14:56 Virtuosos Who Chose Joy

    16 min

  8. Mar 25

    Ep. 21 | What's In a Phrase?

    The podcast episode delves into the origins of common phrases, uncovering dark and macabre stories behind their creation. It explores the evolution of language and the persistence of phrases long after their original context has disappeared. Takeaways Origins of common phrasesDark and macabre origins Chapters 00:00 The Origins of Common Phrases38:12 The Evolution of Phrases

    33 min
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About

Archives and Anchovies is a history podcast covering forgotten stories, military history, Cold War events, American Revolutionary War history, accidental inventions, and the unexpected origins of everyday things - researched and told without the textbook filter. Recent episodes have explored the Soviet officer who prevented nuclear war in 1983, the man who survived both atomic bombs, the Marines who marched 500 miles through the Barbary Coast, and the accidental invention of the microwave. I research these stories myself because I think they're worth doing right. New episodes every Tuesday. Watch the YouTube version with archival imagery at youtube.com/@Archives_and_Anchovies. Everything has a history.

Information

  • Creator
    James Kulon
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    28
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 James Kulon
  • Show Website
    Archives and Anchovies