An Old Timey Podcast
A history podcast that takes a hilariously inappropriate approach to the past. Hosts Kristin Caruso and Norman Caruso combine thorough research with a deeply silly sense of humor. Kristin is known for the true crime comedy podcast Let's Go To Court, while Norman runs the Gaming Historian YouTube channel. Each episode ranges across wide-ranging historical topics, presented for listeners who appreciate facts and fart jokes alike.
Episodes
125: The Reimer Twins Unmask Dr. Money (Part 2)
As soon as David Reimer learned the truth, he knew what he wanted to do. He began presenting as a man. He got a new name. He started testosterone therapy. He underwent surgery. But just when it looked like he had a shot at a normal life, he discovered that Dr. John Money had been writing about him for years. Dr. Money had falsely presented David as proof that we are all born gender neutral, and t
124: Forced Identity: The Story of David Reimer (Part 1)
When he was just seven months old, David Reimer became the victim of a botched circumcision. The accident left him without a penis. His parents, Janet and Ron Reimer, were distraught. They wondered what kind of life David would have. Experts told them that there was little to be done. But then one night, they happened to see an interview with the prominent sexologist Dr. John Money. Dr. Money was
123: Pearl Harbor: Titanic for Boys (Part 2)
You might have thought we couldn’t make it through last week’s episode, but just like Ben Affleck in Pearl Harbor, we’re alive, we’re here, and we’re really pissed at you for listening to other podcasts while we were gone. In this episode, Normie C continues to decipher fact from fiction. Meanwhile, Kristin wonders whether we’ll ever hear more about Michael Shannon’s surfboards. Remember, kids, h
122: We Watched Pearl Harbor So You Don’t Have To (Part 1)
In this two-part series, we analyze Michael Bay’s 2001 box office smash, Pearl Harbor. Normie C points out historical inaccuracies. Kristin points out cringey dialogue. Above all, we ask ourselves the *important* questions. Questions like: Is Pearl Harbor just Titanic for boys? And, if this film had a $140 million budget, why does Jon Voight’s butt-chin prosthetic look so much like Silly Puddy? F
121: Doris Miller: Duty, Honor, and the Fight for Recognition
On Dec. 7, 1941, Japanese forces attacked the U.S. Naval Station at Pearl Harbor. During that chaotic scene, a Black sailor named Doris “Dorie” Miller shot down a Japanese plane and saved an untold number of lives. Doris Miller’s actions were particularly heroic, given the fact that the Navy’s racist policies barred him from serving in a combat role. In fact, he’d only been trained to serve food.
120: A Trans Doctor Got Outed. He Fought Back. (Part 2)
In 1917, Alan Hart became one of the first trans men in the United States to undergo a medically-assisted transition. In the months after his transition, the life he’d envisioned took shape. He got an internship at San Francisco Hospital. He fell in love. But, when Alan applied for a job at another hospital, a former classmate spotted him. They outed him to his prospective employer. They outed hi
119: Trailblazing Trans Doctor Saved Lives (Part 1)
Decades before the term “transgender” was coined, Alan Hart became one of the first trans men in the United States to undergo a medically-assisted transition. In part one of this two-part series, we delve into Alan’s life before he transitioned. Remember, kids, history hoes always cite their sources! For this episode, Kristin pulled from: “Trailblazing transgender doctor saved countless lives,” b
118: What *Actually* Killed William Henry Harrison?
Poor ol’ William Henry Harrison. The dude has the odd distinction of giving the longest inauguration speech in American history, followed by the shortest presidency in American history. You might be familiar with the story: He gave a speech with no coat on, and as a result, caught pneumonia and died. But… was it really pneumonia that killed him? Remember, kids, history hoes always cite their sou
117: Did George Washington Wear Wooden Dentures?
Join us on a perilous journey as Kristin discovers that the presidential fun facts she loves are ALL LIES. In this week’s episode, we’ll examine the myth that George Washington wore wooden dentures. As it turns out, our first president didn’t wake up every day and put wooden dentures into his big wet mouth! The real story is much more horrifying.Remember, kids, history hoes always cite their sour
116: Wallis Simpson: Duchess of Windsor (Part 2)
Welcome back to the final episode in our two-part series on Wallis Simpson! In this episode, Kyla Pitts-Zevin (Kristin’s sister & mayor of all of Kristin’s podcasts) gives us a lesson on how to tell a story concisely. (Did you know that you could tell a person’s life story in less than seven parts? News to us!)Last week we learned about Wallis Simpson’s early life and first two marriages. In
115: Wallis Simpson: Before the Royals (Part 1)
In this *very special* two-part series, Kyla Pitts-Zevin (Kristin’s sister & mayor of all of Kristin’s podcasts) tells us about an extraordinarily complicated woman. Wallis Simpson is best known for her relationship with King Edward VIII. When he announced his intention to marry the American divorcee, a constitutional crisis erupted that led to his abdication of the throne. The abdication alt
114: The Fate & Legacy of Floyd Collins (Part 4)
By Friday, February 13th, 1925, rescue workers were getting close to Floyd Collins, who lay trapped deep down in Sand Cave. Above ground, crowds gathered and prayed for Floyd. Reporters questioned state officials for any updates. Photographers readied their cameras around the rescue shaft, hoping to capture the big moment. By that point, Floyd Collins had been stuck for two weeks. Rescuers were
113: Floyd Collins’ Rescue Becomes a Circus (Part 3)
Reporters swarmed. Crowds gathered. State officials arrived on scene. People were hungry for information about the trapped cave explorer, Floyd Collins. They wanted to rescue the man trapped 55 feet below the earth’s surface. But a collapse halted any further attempts through Sand Cave.Locals and state experts disagreed on the best path forward. And as they argued, hope dwindled.Remember, kids, h
112: The Rescue of Floyd Collins (Part 2)
In the dead of Winter, 1925, cave explorer Floyd Collins crawled, wiggled, and wormed 55 feet below the surface of a sandhole. He was on the hunt for a magnificent cave. But when his lantern began to flicker, he turned back. He re-entered the narrow passageway. In the confusion of darkness, he kicked a protruding rock. When he did, a boulder dropped on his leg. Dirt and debris buried him. Floyd C
111: Floyd Collins Is Trapped in a Cave (Part 1)
Floyd Collins had a dream. He dreamt that one day, he’d emerge victorious in the Kentucky Cave Wars. In that era, people made easy money turning beautiful, awe-inspiring caves into tourist destinations. The tough part was *finding* the cave. Finding a cave took months of dangerous, exhausting work, but Floyd Collins was up to the task. In January of 1925, he felt certain that he was digging his w
110: Did William Howard Taft Get Stuck In A Bathtub?
We’ve all heard the story. President William Howard Taft got stuck in the White House bathtub! A bunch of dudes had to yank him out!! They replaced the old bathtub with a new one, BIG ENOUGH TO HOLD FOUR WORKING MEN!!!…except did he *actually* get stuck in the tub? In this episode, we do a deep dive into how this story got started and how it eventually got stuck in the bathtub of our collective i
109: JC Penney Loses *Almost* Everything (Finale, Rebroadcast)
Howdy, History Hoes! This month, we’re getting some rest and relaxation. We’ll be back in July to bring you some piping hot stories from history. But for now, we thought you might enjoy a replay of our series on the history JCPenney – the greatest department store in the world.And if you miss us, you can get new content on patreon.com/oldtimeypodcast. For just $5, you can binge our catalog of mon
108: JC Penney Becomes Rich *and* Cool (Part 3, Rebroadcast)
Howdy, History Hoes! This month, we’re getting some rest and relaxation. We’ll be back in July to bring you some piping hot stories from history. But for now, we thought you might enjoy a replay of our series on the history JCPenney – the greatest department store in the world.And if you miss us, you can get new content on patreon.com/oldtimeypodcast. For just $5, you can binge our catalog of mon
107: JC Penney Was a Hustler! (Part 2, Rebroadcast)
Howdy, History Hoes! This month, we’re getting some rest and relaxation. We’ll be back in July to bring you some piping hot stories from history. But for now, we thought you might enjoy a replay of our series on the history JCPenney – the greatest department store in the world.And if you miss us, you can get new content on patreon.com/oldtimeypodcast. For just $5, you can binge our catalog of mon
106: Is JCPenney the Best Department Store? (Part 1, Rebroadcast)
Howdy, History Hoes! This month, we’re getting some rest and relaxation. We’ll be back in July to bring you some piping hot stories from history. But for now, we thought you might enjoy a replay of our series on the history JCPenney – the greatest department store in the world.And if you miss us, you can get new content on patreon.com/oldtimeypodcast. For just $5, you can binge our catalog of mon
105: A Tragedy on Longs Peak
Mountain climbing was an unusual pastime in the 1920s. It was particularly unusual among women. But Agnes Vaille made a name for herself as a tough, formidable climber. Soon, she found herself setting records. In 1925, she and fellow climber Walter Kiener decided to make history as the first people to climb Longs Peak’s east face in the wintertime. Their friends warned them against the dangerous
104: This Episode Is The Bee's Knees
Bless you, dear listener! You could have spent your day surfing the net and in doing so, turned a blind eye to this episode, But instead, you’re sitting there, like the cat got your tongue, about to listen to a very special episode of an Old Timey Podcast!We predict that at the end of this episode, you’ll say I wish Kristin would have spilled the beans on other idioms and their origin stories! In
103: The Presidential Fitness Test
The Presidential Fitness Test has been a gym class staple for decades. Generations of Americans have performed pull-ups, sit-ups, mile runs and flexibility tests under the watchful eye of their sweaty peers. In the end, a select group of kids were given the coveted Presidential Physical Fitness Award. At the time, it all seemed *so important*! But was it, actually? Whose idea was it? And did it a
102: I've Got A Bridge To Sell You
George C. Parker was an infamous con man. He sold the Brooklyn Bridge countless times. He sold Ulysses S. Grant’s tomb. He sold Madison Square Garden. He sold the Metropolitan Museum of Art. He even sold the Statue of Liberty! Most often, the victims of his schemes were new immigrants who didn’t speak English and were unfamiliar with America’s public property laws. …but… was George C. Parker trul
101: How a Prolific Black Inventor Hid his Race
Garrett Morgan was a prolific inventor. He invented the gas mask. The three-way traffic light. The self-extinguishing cigarette. He even created a hair care line. But, as a Black man, he had to be creative in how he presented his inventions to the public. He knew that some people would refuse to buy his invention if they discovered that it had been invented by a Black man. So? Sometimes he hired
100: Universal Sues Nintendo (Part 2)
Nintendo couldn’t believe their luck. Their latest arcade game, Donkey Kong, had become a surprise hit. But then Universal, one of the largest media companies in the world, came knocking. They claimed that Donkey Kong infringed on their King Kong trademark. Even worse? They were ready to go to war.Remember, kids, history hoes always cite their sources! For this episode, Norm pulled from: Audureau
99: The Story of Donkey Kong (Part 1)
Nintendo was in trouble. It was 1980, and they’d just poured a ton of money into an arcade game they’d hoped would be a hit. They called it Radar Scope. It was a massive flop. In a panic, the company rushed to create a new game that they hoped would make good use out of all their unsold Radar Scope arcade cabinets. That game – Donkey Kong – took the world by storm. Nintendo basked in the success
98: Hachi: The Most Loyal Dog
Hachi was just a puppy when he was adopted by a professor at Tokyo Imperial University. The two bonded instantly. Every day, Hachi greeted Professor Hidesaburo Ueno at the Shibuya Train Station as he came home from work. The pair would walk home together. But when the professor suddenly died, Hachi’s loyalty didn’t. For years, Hachi still went to the train station, waiting for the professor to re
97: The Great Stink of 1858
By the mid-1800’s, the River Thames was essentially a massive sewer. People poured their waste into it. They also drank from it. That combination resulted in thousands of deaths. People weren’t sure what caused the deaths, but in the summer of 1858, when the temperatures rose and the water levels dropped, London stunk to high heaven. It took a lot of money, creativity, and an incredible act of ci
96: Snack Attack: Oreo vs. Hydrox
Prepare for battle – a cookie battle, that is! Back in the early 1900s, two brothers invented a game changing cookie. It consisted of two crisp chocolate wafers, stuck together with a vanilla cream filling. It was delicious! It was fancy! They called it… Hydrox.Years later, Nabisco created their own knockoff version of Hydrox. They called it the Oreo. For decades, Hydrox was the undisputed king o
95: The Trial of Charles Guiteau (Part 7)
As his trial drew closer, Charles Guiteau became more delusional. He wrote demanding letters to the new president, Chester A. Arthur. He announced plans to run for president himself. He got the word out that he was looking for love — the love of a wealthy, Christian woman under 30, that is! He wasn’t worried about what the future held. He was certain that, if he did go on trial for murder, he’d b
94: Dirty Doctors: How Infection Killed James Garfield (Part 6)
Mere minutes after the shooting, a doctor arrived on the scene. Using his ungloved, unwashed fingers, he dug into President James Garfield’s bullet wound. The doctor hoped to retrieve the bullet. That would prove a common theme in the president’s medical care. As James Garfield struggled to survive, doctors obsessed over retrieving the bullet. They subjected him to daily examinations — always wit
93: President Garfield is Shot (Part 5)
Charles Guiteau was seething. He’d convinced himself that he deserved a political appointment. When he didn’t get one, he placed the blame squarely on President James Garfield’s shoulders. James Garfield was a liar. A cheat. The country would be better off without him! Over time, Charles convinced himself that God wanted him to assassinate the president. So? He bought a gun. He tracked the presid
92: The First Lady is Sick… But What About ME? (Part 4)
When James Garfield won the presidential election, Charles Guiteau was ecstatic. He was certain that he’d played a major role in Garfield’s victory. So, fueled by delusion, Charles Guiteau began hounding James Garfield for a political appointment.Meanwhile, New York Senator and political boss Roscoe Conkling threw a temper tantrum. James Garfield had the tenacity to fill his cabinet with members
91: Charles Guiteau: The Man Who Would Kill a President (Part 3)
It was the summer of 1880, and Charles Guiteau didn’t have much going for him. He was unemployed. He had very little money. He had no relationships. His family members feared he was insane. But Charles didn’t see himself that way. He thought he was destined for greatness. He’d convinced himself that he was an excellent public speaker with an eye for politics. So? He dedicated himself to James Gar
90: James Garfield Fights For The Presidency (Part 2)
As James Garfield’s surprise presidential campaign got underway, he knew he didn’t have it in the bag. The Republican party was divided. The Democratic party was united. And there was some weirdo third-party candidate campaigning for an 8-hour workday. *I guess people don’t wanna work anymore!?*The fact that many members of his party — including his own vice president — were, at best, mildly enth
89: The Assassination of President James Garfield (Part 1)
James A. Garfield was a remarkable man. He was an academic. A Union war hero. A family man. And in 1880? He *accidentally* became the Republican nominee for president. In this episode, you’ll get a boatload of context about 1880s politics (omg, are you still reading?), and you’ll learn how a man oops-fudge-striped his way into the presidency. In the weeks to come, we’ll cover his presidency, his
88: John Colt’s Fate (Part 4)
John Colt never denied killing Samuel Adams. As the murder trial wrapped up, the defense argued that John Colt never planned to kill Samuel Adams. He’d acted in self defense. In the finale of this series, the jury returns their verdict. John Colt faces the aftermath. Remember, kids, history hoes always cite their sources! For this episode, Norm pulled from: Dunphy, Thomas. Remarkable Trials of Al
87: The Colt-Adams Murder Trial (Part 3)
When John Colt went on trial for the murder of Samuel Adams, it felt like all of New York was watching. The media shared inflammatory, and often inaccurate stories about the defendant. The public clamored for more. Courtroom antics ranged from theatrical to downright gross. John Colt sat at the center of it all, shielded by a defense team that argued he hadn’t murdered Samuel Adams. He’d simply b
86: Samuel Adams Disappears (Part 2)
Samuel Adams (no, not *that* Samuel Adams) was nowhere to be found. His friends and family were alarmed. They feared that the respected small business owner had met a violent end. Meanwhile, across town, John Caldwell Colt was up to no good. He tried to cover his tracks, but the man in the office next door was onto him. Remember, kids, history hoes always cite their sources! For this episode, No
85: Samuel Adams is Dead (Part 1)
On a sunny fall day in 1841, New York City officials boarded a ship in search of a crate. Crew members found it buried deep in the cargo hold. The odor coming from within it was unbearable.Inside, they discovered the decomposing body of half-naked man, covered in salt. Authorities identified the body as Samuel Adams (No, not that Samuel Adams.) Who could have done such a thing? There was no need t
84: Top 10 DB Cooper Suspects (Part 3)
Welcome to the first annual D.B. Cooper Suspect Awards! In this very real award show, we celebrate a handful of the thin-lipped, military-trained sky divers who *might* be responsible for the only unsolved airplane hijacking in United States history. Plus: Mistakes of Shame! Kristin mispronounced the name of D.B. Cooper suspect Robert Rackstraw. She called him Robert Rackshaw. As punishment, Krist
83: The D.B. Cooper Investigation Takes Off (Part 2)
On Thanksgiving Eve, 1971, D.B. Cooper parachuted into the night’s sky with $200k in ransom money. That night, the FBI launched their investigation into his identity and location. They interviewed eyewitnesses. They developed sketches. They searched the airplane for evidence, finding a few hairs, cigarette butts, and a clip-on tie. They analyzed the flight path to determine where he might have lan
82: D.B. Cooper’s Infamous Hijacking (Part 1)
This episode kicks off our coverage of the only unsolved airplane hijacking in United States history. On November 24, 1971, a nondescript man boarded a flight to Seattle. He wore a dark suit. He carried a briefcase. As the plane took off, he told the flight attendants that he had a bomb. He demanded $200,000 in ransom money, plus four parachutes. The airline, along with federal agents, scrambled t
81: Blinded By The Spite: The Richardson Spite House
Spite Houses: The architectural equivalent of a middle finger. They’re structures or dwellings designed specifically to piss someone off. This week, Norm does a deep dive into a truly ridiculous spite house, built and owned by an eccentric millionaire named Joseph Richardson. It all started when a man made an offer on Joseph’s 5-foot wide, 102-foot deep tract of land in New York City. Joseph was s
80: Grandma Gatewood Keeps on Walking (Part 3)
It had been exhausting. It had been challenging. But Emma Gatewood refused to give up on her dream to solo thru-hike the Appalachian Trail. So? She kept going. As she hiked, media outlets chronicled her journey. They dubbed her Grandma Gatewood. When she finished, Emma became the first woman to solo thru-hike the 2,168 mile Appalachian Trail. But Grandma Gatewood’s hiking days were far from finish
79: Grandma Gatewood Hikes the Appalachian Trail (Part 2)
Emma Gatewood was embarrassed. Her first attempt at solo hiking the Appalachian Trail had been a disaster. But she was nothing if not determined. So, Emma tried again. On her second attempt, the 67-year-old grandmother was better prepared. Although the trail proved challenging, she kept going. Soon, the media took notice. If she completed the 2,000+ mile hike, Emma Gatewood (aka Grandma Gatewood)
78: Grandma Gatewood Takes One Hell of a Walk (Part 1)
When Emma Gatewood set off on the Appalachian Trail, she didn’t look like much of a hiker. She was 67 years old. She wore a pair of Keds. She had no training. But she figured that wouldn’t matter. An article in National Geographic magazine claimed that anyone in “normal good health” could hike the 2,169-mile trail. The article was misleading, but Emma persevered. In 1955, “Grandma Gatewood” became
77: The Ann & Abby Feud Goes Intergenerational (Part 4)
In the final episode of our series on Ann Landers and Dear Abby, the feud reached new heights when Abby fell victim to a “gotcha” moment on Charlie Rose. (Who woulda guessed?) Afterward, she agreed to an interview with Ladies’ Home Journal. In it, she said awful things about Ann. Years later, when Ann died, the feud went intergenerational between the sisters’ two daughters — daughters who became,
76: Bad Blood: Ann Landers, Dear Abby Feud Goes Public (Part 3)
For a few years, the feud between twin sisters Ann Landers and Dear Abby was an industry secret. That changed in 1958, when Life Magazine printed a story that exposed the rivalry. In the article, Abby shared stories that weren’t hers to tell. She talked about Ann’s nose job. She talked about Ann’s broken engagement. Abby told the reporter, “I understand why she’s disturbed. She wanted to be the fi
75: Advice Column Rivals: Dear Abby and Ann Landers (Part 2)
Ann Landers was thrilled. She’d just landed a job as the new syndicated advice columnist for the Chicago Sun-Times. Her new role gave Ann something to call her own. Then, just three months later, her twin sister Abby shared some news. She’d gotten a job as an advice columnist, too.Remember, kids, history hoes always cite their sources! For this episode, Kristin pulled from: The book “Dear Ann, Dea
74: Family Feud: Dear Abby vs. Ann Landers (Part 1)
For decades, Dear Abby and Ann Landers were the undisputed queens of advice columns. They had millions of loyal readers. They were celebrated public figures. Their columns stood out for being sassy, sharp, and at times, shockingly progressive. But, behind the scenes, the twin sisters had a contentious, competitive relationship. In this episode, we set the scene for the women they would one day bec
73: The Pet Rock: A Fad is Born (Patreon Bonus)
Wipe your slate clean of everything you *think* you know about the pet rock. You’ll marble (err, marvel) over its true history! Its inventor, Gary Dahl, thought he’d created a novelty gift that was set in stone. Imagine his surprise when the pet rock’s popularity began to crumble. Maybe he shouldn’t have taken it for granite? Ehh?? Get it??In this episode, Kristin also addresses the often-asked qu
72: Last Man Standing: Hiroo Onoda Finally Surrenders (Part 3)
It took countless efforts and nearly three decades to convince Second Lieutenant Hiroo Onoda that World War II was over. When those efforts finally paid off, Hiroo Onoda went home to Japan. He received a hero’s welcome. But did he deserve it? Remember, kids, history hoes always cite their sources! For this episode, Norm pulled from: Allyra Crowdfunding. “Donation Page by Searching For Onoda.” http
71: Hiroo Onoda Fights a Non-Existent War (Part 2)
World War II was over. (Really. Truly.) But a group of Japanese soldiers stationed on Lubang Island in the Philippines weren’t convinced. They didn’t believe that Japan had surrendered. So they kept fighting. They terrorized locals. They evaded capture. Over the course of several years, Japanese officials made multiple attempts to convince the soldiers that the war had ended. Each time, Hiroo Onod
70: The Japanese Soldier Who Refused to Surrender (Part 1)
As a second lieutenant in the Japanese Army, Hiroo Onoda took his job seriously. He’d been ordered to lead guerilla warfare missions on Lubang Island in the Philippines. He was told to never surrender. And when he received word that World War II had ended, Hiroo was certain that the message was a trick. So, he kept fighting. He kept fighting until 1974 – nearly 29 years after the war ended.Remembe
69: Judgement Day for the Donner Party (Part 5)
In the finale of our series on The Donner Party, rescue groups head off for Truckee Lake and Alder Creek, hoping to save as many survivors as they could. For many members of The Donner Party, the rescue crews came too late. Some had died. Others were too depleted to make the journey back to safety. Ultimately, of the 87 members of The Donner Party, 41 died. The survivors did their best to lead nor
68: The Donner Party Resorts to Cannibalism (Part 4)
By the winter of 1846, the Donner Party found themselves in the exact scenario they’d been dreading. They were trapped in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, pummeled by snowstorms. Their food supply dwindled. They knew that if they stayed put, they’d all be doomed. So, a group of men, women, and children set off to get help. They thought their journey would last six days. They thought wrong.Remember, ki
67: The Donner Party Falls Apart (Part 3)
By the time they realized what they’d done, it was too late. Hastings Cutoff turned out to not be much of a cutoff at all. In fact, it was more time consuming and taxing than the regular California Trail. As a result, members of the Donner Party grew hungry. They grew thirsty. Their oxen, horses and dogs suffered. Some died. Some ran away. They ran low on time. People snapped at one another. The g
66: Warnings and Lies: The Deception of the Donner Party (Part 2)
The Donner Party was at a crossroads. They’d made good progress on their journey to California, but they were still about a week behind schedule. Lansford Hasting’s new shortcut appealed to the worried group. But an experienced explorer warned them against it. The man told them that the shortcut might kill them.They didn’t listen.Remember, kids, history hoes always cite their sources! For this epi
65: The Donner Party: An American Tragedy (Part 1)
This episode kicks off our coverage of an infamous American tragedy – the Donner Party.In the mid-1800’s, a group that would later be known as the Donner Party set out West in search of a better life. The California and Oregon Trails were notoriously tough. The journey was dangerous, unpredictable and long. So, when an irresponsible, self-serving douchebag named Lansford Hastings began touting a s
64: The Bath School Disaster (Part 2)
To this day, the Bath School Disaster of 1927 remains the deadliest mass murder in a school in American history, yet it isn’t often discussed. In this episode, Norm covers May 18, 1927, when school board member Andrew Kehoe set off a series of explosions that killed 38 children, 6 adults, and injured at least 58 others. That act of domestic terrorism forever changed the small community of Bath, Mi
63: The Bath School Disaster (Part 1)
It was unspeakable. Unthinkable. In 1927, a school board member set off a series of explosions that killed 38 children, 6 adults, and injured at least 58 others. That act of domestic terrorism became known as the Bath School disaster. It rocked the small farming community of Bath Township, Michigan, and left people wondering how a seemingly “normal” man like Andrew Kehoe could have done something
62: Disco Demolition Night Didn’t Stop the Boogie
In the late 70s, disco was everywhere. Songs like “Disco Inferno,” “I Will Survive” and “Brick House” topped the charts. Disco had been created and embraced by Black people, Latino people, LGBT+ people, and women. It was fun and funky. It was freeing and empowering. …but *some* folks didn’t like having disco balls shoved in their faces. So, when a 24-year-old Chicago shock jock began hosting “deat
61: AAirpass: American Airlines’ Best Worst Idea
In 1981, American Airlines offered an incredible deal. For just $250k, people could purchase a lifetime pass that entitled them to unlimited first class travel, anywhere the airline flew, for the rest of their lives. People could also purchase a companion pass that would allow anyone to fly with them. They called it the AAirpass. It didn’t take long for the airline to discover that they’d priced t
60: An Iron Rod Through the Head (Patreon Bonus)
Here’s a true story: In 1848, an iron rod shot through a man’s head. It smashed up under his cheekbone and came out the top of his skull. Ready for the wild part? Despite the fact that the iron rod destroyed much of his brain’s left frontal lobe, he survived. Phineas Gage’s story baffled the medical community. His injury became one of the most talked-about medical events of the 19th century.Rememb
59: The Original Kardashians! (Patreon Bonus)
Back in their day, the seven Sutherland sisters were a household name. They were celebrated for their outrageously long, thick hair. For years, audiences gathered ‘round to watch the sisters undo their updos. Audiences gasped as the sisters’ hair tumbled, in unison, to the floor. Soon, money poured in. The sisters spent every cent of it. Remember, kids, history hoes always cite their sources! For
58: The Society for Indecency to Naked Animals (Patreon Bonus)
Alan Abel was driving down a Texas highway when traffic came to a sudden stop. As it turned out, a herd of cattle was crossing the road. How annoying! Then – shock of all shocks – a cow and a bull started mating, right there, in the middle of the road, IN FRONT OF GOD AND EVERYBODY.Some motorists giggled. Some averted their eyes. Some were shocked. Alan couldn’t believe what was happening. Didn’t
57: Windshield Wipers! (Patreon Bonus)
Picture it. Ontario. 1953. It was Robert and Phyllis Kearns’ wedding night. Bob did his best to open the champagne, but the cork shot out and smacked him square in the eye. He screamed! Phyllis screamed! There was blood everywhere! Bob ultimately went blind in that eye, but the experience got him thinking about eyes and how they work. So, years later, when he was driving in the rain and his one-sp
56: JC Penney Loses *Almost* Everything (Part 4)
The Great Depression hit James Cash Penney hard. It decimated his finances. It worried him. It humbled him. After some soul searching, he came to realize that he could make a comeback. JC Penney the man proved to himself, and the world, that he still had something to offer. But the story didn’t end quite as sweetly for JCPenney the store.Remember, kids, history hoes always cite their sources! For
55: JC Penney Becomes Rich *and* Cool (Part 3)
James Cash Penney had an ambitious dream. He wanted to own 50 Golden Rule stores. Over the course of just a few years, he achieved that dream and then some. But tough lessons in his personal life taught him that financial success wasn’t everything. So, he pulled back. He reevaluated his life. He travelled. He sought counsel from his pastor. He even bought a ticket on the Titanic! Remember, kids, h
54: JC Penney Was a Hustler! (Part 2)
Say what you will about James Cash Penney Jr. Just don’t say he didn’t work his booty off. After he left his hometown, James tried desperately to succeed as a businessman. He found work as a sales person. He bought a struggling butcher shop/bakery. With each effort came failure. Then he discovered a new kind of business. It was called the Golden Rule Dry Goods Store. The store featured low-priced
53: Is JCPenney the Best Department Store? (Part 1)
Normie C starts this series with a bold claim: That JCPenney is the best department store ever. This raises a lot of questions. Questions like… Really? Has Norm been to other department stores? Also, really??In Part 1, Norm loads us up with all the context we’ll ever need about James Cash Penney Jr. A poor farm boy from Missouri, Penney would eventually create a chain of department stores with mor
52: The Creator of Mother's Day Tried to Destroy it
Mother’s Day. When Anna Jarvis founded the holiday, she envisioned it as a day for everyone to honor and thank their mothers. She worked tirelessly to promote the holiday. She hoped it would be celebrated around the globe. But after a few years, Anna noticed that Mother’s Day was becoming… commercialized. Anna was incensed. She went to war against florists, greeting card makers and anyone else who
51: America Can’t Figure Out Daylight Saving Time (Part 2)
In his final episode on Daylight Saving Time, Norm tells us that America has flip flopped on Daylight Saving Time for decades. We love it! We hate it! We implement it; we rescind it. Will the battle ever end? Probably not! Will Norm survive the disease known as the flu? We sure hope so!Remember, kids, history hoes always cite their sources! For this episode, Norm pulled from: Austermuhle, Martin.
50: Hello, Sunshine: Why We Have Daylight Saving Time (Part 1)
“OMG, the sun is up! Shouldn’t you be awake, doing productive things?” … that’s essentially what Benjamin Franklin shouted when he advocated to change the hours of human activity to take advantage of daylight. That idea later evolved into Daylight Saving Time. Since its inception, Daylight Saving Time has had its fans and critics. In this series, Norm refers to the critics as Sun Cynics. The fans?
49: Cleveland’s Chaotic 10-Cent Beer Night
In the summer of 1974, the Cleveland Indians had a big problem. Hardly anyone showed up for their games. It was embarrassing! So, the team’s management brainstormed ways to get butts in seats. Ultimately, they opted to host a handful of 10-cent beer nights. They hoped that the cheap beer would draw people to the stadium. The good news? The plan worked! The bad news? It was pandemonium!Remember, ki
48: The Great Cobra Scare of 1953
In the year of our Lord 1953, the city of Springfield, Missouri, had a terrible problem. Deadly cobras kept popping up in people’s yards! What were cobras doing in Missouri? They weren’t native to the area. Who the hell had rolled out the welcome mat?? For the local police, the sudden presence of cobras wasn’t nearly as mysterious as it sounded. A local store, the Mowrer Animal Company, sold all
47: DP Dupes Us!
In this *very special* episode of an Old Timey Podcast, we got DP’d. Ahem. By that, we mean that Kristin’s dad (aka DP) took over. He renamed the podcast. He accused Norm of having a dirty mind. Worst of all, he tricked us. (On our own podcast! In our own home! Is nothing sacred??)Remember, kids, history hoes always cite their sources! For this episode, DP pulled from: “Small Town, Big Con” episod
46: Robert Smalls: An American Hero (Part 5)
The final chapter of Robert Smalls’ life was eventful, and, at times, frustrating. He gained and lost government appointments. He won and lost political races. He weathered attacks on his character and attacks on his constituents. Through it all, he used his intelligence and agility to battle a system that tried – and failed – to take him down.Remember, kids, history hoes always cite their sources
