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The Prince of Humbug: P.T. Barnum
P.T. Barnum is best known as a circus man, but he spent most of his career running a curiosity museum and staging freak shows. Barnum attracted people to his American Museum through shrewd advertising, or “humbug.” He also wasn’t afraid of a hoax.
Wednesday, 16-May-12 15:56 BST
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Operation Mincemeat
Once the Allies invaded North Africa, the Nazis began planning. Both sides knew Sicily was the obvious choice for the next Allied invasion, so the Allies needed some subterfuge. Luckily, the British had an idea -- and all they needed was a dead body.
Monday, 14-May-12 16:21 BST
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Freya of Arabia
After a childhood spent roaming Europe, Freya Stark began saving money to take Arabic lessons. Once fluent, she traveled into areas few outsiders had ever been, documenting her travels in best-selling books. Listen in to learn more about Freya of Arabia.
Wednesday, 09-May-12 16:55 BST
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The Battle of Sekigahara
After the Japanese ruler Toyotomi Hideyoshi died, regents and bureaucrats scrambled for power. The rivals Tokugawa Ieyasu and Ishida Mitsunari rallied supporters to face off in Sekigahara. Tokugawa emerged victorious. But what happened next?
Monday, 07-May-12 16:22 BST
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Who was the real Professor Moriarty? Part II
When Adam Worth stole a portrait of the Duchess of Devonshire, he fell in love with the painting. But a botched theft in Belgium landed him in prison, where the story of his life reached Arthur Conan Doyle and inspired the character of Professor Moriarty.
Wednesday, 02-May-12 15:44 BST
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Horace Wells and the Gas War
Dentist Horace Wells set up shop in Hartford in 1836, before the discovery of anasthesia. At an exhibition in 1844 he became certain that nitrous oxide could revolutionize medicine. He tried to demonstrate his findings... but things didn’t go as...
Monday, 30-Apr-12 19:42 BST
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Who was the real Professor Moriarty? Part 1
Professor Moriarty was based on a real man: Adam Worth. After being falsely reported as dead during the Civil War, Worth began a life of crime. When Worth moved to London he began his Moriarty phase, but his peculiar criminal quirks led to his near ruin.
Wednesday, 25-Apr-12 16:32 BST
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Four Flights of Female Aviators
Amelia Earhart is the most well-known female aviator, but there were several notable female aviation pioneers. Raymonde de Laroche was the first woman to earn a pilot's license, and Jacqueline Cochran became the first woman to break the sound barrier.
Monday, 23-Apr-12 17:05 BST
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Who was the Great Imposter?
Ferdinand Demara took on several bogus personas throughout his imposter career -- everything from a professor to a monk. Demara stole the identities of regular people, and often performed their job duties. Tune in to learn more about the Great Imposter.
Wednesday, 18-Apr-12 15:24 BST
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Who was the real Indiana Jones?
Although Lucas and Spielberg claim Indiana Jones was only inspired by adventure movies and pulp fiction, people have still suggested real-life inspirations. Tune in to learn more about several contenders, including Roy Chapman Andrews and Otto Rahn.
Monday, 16-Apr-12 20:32 BST
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Westward Bound: Beryl Markham's Transatlantic Flight
Beryl Markham was Africa's first female licensed racehorse trainer, but by the 1920s she'd found a new passion: flying. She went on to become Kenya’s first female commercial pilot, and by 1936 she was ready to fly solo across the Atlantic. Or was she?
Wednesday, 11-Apr-12 15:56 BST
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The Heiress Explorer: Louise Boyd and the Arctic
When gold mine heiress Louise Boyd staged her first Arctic expedition in the 1920s, she hunted polar bears with aristocrats. Yet she also met other explorers who encouraged her in more scientific pursuits. Listen in and learn more about her expeditions.
Monday, 09-Apr-12 15:21 BST
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George Arents: Hobbies and the Heathenish Weed
How did advice from his great uncle inspire tobacco businessman George Arents to become one of the great contemporary bibliophiles? Listen in as Sarah and Deblina interview Michael Inman, the curator of the New York Public Library Rare Books Division.
Wednesday, 04-Apr-12 15:28 BST
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Belle Starr: A Bad Rap for the Bandit Queen (Part 2)
After Jim Reed’s death, Belle eventually married Sam Starr. Rumors circulated: Was Belle a barfly or a mom? In 1883, Belle and Sam served 9 months in prison for stealing horses. Tune in to learn how the Bandit Queen set out to turn her reputation...
Monday, 02-Apr-12 16:12 BST
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Charles Dickens Takes America
Charles Dickens is best known for chronicling life in London, but he also wrote about the United States – and not in a flattering light. When touring the U.S. and Canada with his wife, Dickens found many American customs repugnant. Tune in to learn...
Wednesday, 28-Mar-12 16:05 BST
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Belle Starr: A Bad Rap for the Bandit Queen
Belle Starr is often remembered as a notorious outlaw who spent her free time carousing in saloons. But new accounts suggest that, while she wasn't a saint, she also wasn’t the “female Jesse James” some biographers made her out to be. So...
Monday, 26-Mar-12 19:50 BST
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From Diplomacy to Black Diaries: Roger Casement
Roger Casement was an Irish-born British diplomat. He eventually became an Irish nationalist. After his arrest, he was sentenced to die. To stifle support for Casement, the government also released the "Black Diaries" which outed Casement as gay.
Wednesday, 21-Mar-12 17:18 GMT
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Frida Kahlo: An Introspective Life (Part 2)
Frida Kahlo took pride in caring for her husband Diego. In 1930, the couple went to the United States. When they returned to Mexico, their rocky relationship affected Frida’s health. As her marriage worsened, Frida's star in the art world gradually...
Monday, 19-Mar-12 15:53 GMT
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From Brontë to Bell and Back Again
The Brontë sisters quickly rose from obscurity to notoriety after their three novels were published under the Bell pseudonym. Join Sarah and Deblina as they discuss the sisters' rise to fame and the scandalous suggestions about their lives and morals.
Wednesday, 14-Mar-12 17:16 GMT
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Frida Kahlo: An Introspective Life (Part 1)
Frida Kahlo contracted polio at the age of 6. Undeterred, she went on to have an active childhood and adolescence. After a tragic accident left her bedridden for more than three months, she began to pursue painting and politics.
Monday, 12-Mar-12 12:53 GMT
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Growing Up Brontë
The Brontë sisters are considered some of the best writers of the 19th century but their past may surprise you. Join Sarah and Deblina as they discuss the sisters' childhood tragedies, unconventional educations and their imaginary worlds.
Wednesday, 07-Mar-12 16:26 GMT
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Mary Anning, Princess of Paleontology
Mary Anning started hunting for fossils in Lyme Regis in the early 1800s. Around 1811, she uncovered the complete skeleton of an ichthyosaurus. She made several significant contributions to paleontology, so why didn’t she always get credit for her work?
Monday, 05-Mar-12 18:32 GMT
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Evliya Çelebi: World Traveler and Companion to Mankind
Evliya Çelebi grew up in 17th century Istanbul as the "boon companion" of Sultan Murad IV. In his 20s, Evliya had a prophetic dream and spent decades traveling. During his travels he wrote the Seyahatname, one of history's important travel narratives.
Wednesday, 29-Feb-12 18:21 GMT
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The Fairy Tale Life of Hans Christian Andersen
Hans Christian Andersen is often considered the father of the modern fairy tale, but his life was not the quiet existence depicted in his photos. His personal life is fairly bizarre, and he is sometimes compared to his own outcast fairy tale figures.
Monday, 27-Feb-12 18:33 GMT
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Bessie Coleman: Daredevil Aviatrix
Bessie Coleman knew that becoming a pilot was her dream. Because she was a black woman, no American flight schools would admit her. Despite the obstacles, Bessie managed to become the first African-American woman in the world to earn a pilot's license.
Wednesday, 22-Feb-12 18:17 GMT
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Leading the Charge: The Massachusetts 54th
A 1792 law prevented African Americans from taking up arms in the Civil War. As attitudes against blacks serving changed, black regiments were formed. But prejudices remained until the heroism of black soldiers won the attention of the nation.
Monday, 20-Feb-12 21:35 GMT
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Elizabeth Barrett and Robert Browning in Love
Robert Browning’s early work wasn’t as well-received as Elizabeth Barrett's poetry. Yet Barrett mentioned his work in one of her poems, and they started a correspondence that blossomed into love. However, Elizabeth's father remained an obstacle.
Wednesday, 15-Feb-12 19:23 GMT
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Who was the real Lone Ranger?
The Lone Ranger has traditionally been portrayed by white actors, but many believe this character is based on an African-American named Bass Reeves. A former slave, Reeves became one of the most successful lawmen in U.S. history. Tune in to learn more.
Monday, 13-Feb-12 17:58 GMT
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The Booth Conspiracy
Most people know the story of President Lincoln's assassination, but what happened afterward? In this podcast, we cover John Wilkes Booth’s escape, his co-conspirators' attacks against other officials and the strange connections between Booth and...
Wednesday, 08-Feb-12 17:13 GMT
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Jack Johnson and the Fight of the Century
During Jack Johnson's time, the heavyweight championship was unofficially a whites-only title. Despite discrimination, he fought title-holder Tommy Burns in 1908. Johnson became the first black heavyweight champion, but some questioned his legitimacy.
Monday, 06-Feb-12 19:15 GMT
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Sir Stamford Raffles and the Conquest of Java
By the early 19th century, the Dutch controlled of most of the East Indies. Sir Thomas Stamford Bingley Raffles fought to oust the Dutch from the area. He also tried to enact radical reforms in Java, but he was fired by British East India Company. Why?
Wednesday, 01-Feb-12 18:24 GMT
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There’s Always a Seat for Queen Nzinga
The warrior queen Nzinga used wily tactics to maintain her kingdom’s independence during colonization. Born in the Ndongo Kingdom, Nzinga staged a coup, harbored runaway slaves, and kept a harem of men. Tune in to learn more about queen Nzinga.
Monday, 30-Jan-12 18:36 GMT
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H.H. Holmes and the Mysteries of Murder Castle, Part 2
In the first part of this episode, Deblina and Sarah covered Herman K. Mudgett's early life, including how he first became known as H.H. Holmes. But how did Holmes manage to complete his murder castle? What happened to him afterwards? Tune in to find out.
Wednesday, 25-Jan-12 16:55 GMT
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H.H. Holmes and the Mysteries of Murder Castle, Part 1
As a student, Herman K. Mudgett used corpses to commit insurance fraud. In 1886, he moved to Chicago under the alias H.H. Holmes. In 1888, Holmes started constructing a building with secret passageways and an airtight vault. So, what was it for?
Monday, 23-Jan-12 18:21 GMT
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Fridtjof Nansen and the Fram: Part 2
Norwegian Fridtjof Nansen was an expert skier, zoologist and artist: By combining these skills, he became one of Norway's earliest heroes. Listen in as Deblina and Sarah look at the life and times of Fridtjof Nansen in the second part of this episode.
Wednesday, 18-Jan-12 16:37 GMT
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Fridtjof Nansen and the Fram: Part 1
Fridtjof Nansen was an artist, skier, zoologist and one of Norway's earliest heroes. The first part of this episode covers his early adventures, while part two covers his humanitarian career. Tune in to learn more about his first major expeditions.
Monday, 16-Jan-12 14:05 GMT
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W.C. Minor: Madness, Murder and a Dictionary (Part 2)
When we last left the story of W.C. Minor, he'd fatally shot a man in London. In the conclusion of this episode, Sarah and Deblina look at the events that led Minor to become one of the Oxford English Dictionary's most prolific contributors.
Wednesday, 11-Jan-12 18:54 GMT
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Public Enemies: 5 Gangsters to Know
For every Al Capone, there was a cast of lesser-known men who were often just as dangerous. In this episode, Sarah and Deblina explore the lives of gangsters such as "Machine Gun" Jack McGurn and Roger "The Terrible" Touhy. Tune in to learn more.
Monday, 09-Jan-12 18:49 GMT
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Ötzi: Everyone's Favorite Copper Age Man
In 1991, two hikers in the Alps found a mysterious body. The frozen mummy turned out to be a 5,300-year-old man -- a discovery that's given researchers an unprecedented peek into the Copper Age. Tune in to learn more about the Iceman.
Wednesday, 04-Jan-12 18:10 GMT
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W. C. Minor: Madness, Murder and a Dictionary (Part I)
In the first part of this episode, we look at the early days of William Chester Minor. Minor originally studied medicine and served and practiced surgery in the Union Army. Eventually he was committed to a hospital for the insane. But what happened next?
Monday, 02-Jan-12 14:30 GMT
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Unearthed in 2011: Part 2
In part two of this episode, we continue to uncover some of the most interesting historical discoveries of 2011, from the world's oldest winery to France's oldest brewery. Tune in to learn more about the biggest historical discoveries of 2011.
Wednesday, 28-Dec-11 18:20 GMT
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Unearthed in 2011: Part 1
In this two-part episode, we take a look at some of the most interesting historical finds of 2011, from one of Captain Henry Morgan's pirate ships to a rare portrait of Jane Austen discovered by British author Dr. Paula Byrne. Listen in to learn more.
Monday, 26-Dec-11 16:53 GMT
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The Christmas Truce
During the first Christmas of World War I, British and German soldiers laid down their weapons and celebrated the holiday together. They sang carols, traded insignia and buried their dead. How did the truce start, and why didn't it happen again?
Wednesday, 21-Dec-11 15:22 GMT
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The Halifax Explosion
The Halifax Explosion was one of history's worst man-made, non-nuclear explosions. The disaster killed about 2,000 people, and part of the city was completely leveled. So how and when did Halifax begin to rebuild? Tune in to find out.
Monday, 19-Dec-11 20:04 GMT
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Rosalind Franklin: DNA's Dark Lady
The men who are usually credited with discerning DNA's structure won the Nobel Prize in 1962, but they used Rosalind Franklin's research. In 1952, she captured the best DNA image available at the time, and the Nobel winners used it without her knowledge.
Wednesday, 14-Dec-11 16:05 GMT
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The Kaiser's Chemist: Fritz Haber
Fritz Haber has a mixed legacy. The Nobel-Prize-winning Father of Chemical Warfare was responsible for fertilizers that fed billions, as well as poisonous gasses used during World War I. Tune in to learn more about Fritz's complicated life and work.
Monday, 12-Dec-11 20:57 GMT
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Civil War Medicine: Angels of the Battlefield
Women weren’t initially welcome in the Civil War armies, but thousands eventually ended up serving as nurses. We feature five here. Listen in to learn about nurses like Sally Louisa Tompkins, whose hospital became one of the most successful of the war.
Wednesday, 07-Dec-11 18:18 GMT
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John Dillinger: Public Enemy Number One
John Dillinger robbery career began when he was paroled in 1933. Several escaped inmates joined Dillinger, and they were arrested in 1934. Dillinger escaped, but was gunned down in July. To this day, conspiracy theories abound about his death.
Monday, 05-Dec-11 18:10 GMT
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The Empress of Austria and Her Cult of Beauty
Empress Elisabeth of Austria, better known as Sissi, is often considered the public’s “favorite” member of the Habsburgs. She only reluctantly carried out her duties, but her murder created an outcry across Europe -- and the story doesn't end there.
Wednesday, 30-Nov-11 19:24 GMT
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Mug Shot! Alphonse Bertillon and Criminal Identification
In the 19th century, Alphonse Bertillon standardized the mug shot and came up with a system of organizing police records; he also conceived a new way of identifying people. Tune in to learn more about the rise -- and fall -- of Bertillon’s system.
Monday, 28-Nov-11 17:14 GMT
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The Death of Stonewall Jackson
As a Confederate surgeon, Dr. MacGuire's first assignment was under the command of Lieutenant General Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson, who became his most famous patient. Tune in to learn what McGuire’s writings reveal about Stonewall's last days.
Wednesday, 23-Nov-11 16:17 GMT
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