Roald Dahl is a beloved children’s author. Turns out, he was also a British spy during WWII! So how does one transition from seducing prominent Americans’ wives to writing Matilda? 

Well, we’re glad you asked! We called up the creator of a new docu-series called The Secret World of Roald Dahl to get all the dirt on this famous children’s author. 

Aaron Tracy, Creator of The Secret World of Roald Dahl

Roald Dahl is a beloved children&rsquo;s author. Turns out, he was also a British spy during WWII! So how does one transition from seducing prominent Americans&rsquo; wives to writing&nbsp;Matilda?&nbsp;
Well, we&rsquo;re glad you asked! We called up the creator of a new docu-series called <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-secret-world-of-roald-dahl/id1868436905">The Secret World of Roald Dahl </a>to get all the dirt on this famous children&rsquo;s author.&nbsp;
Aaron Tracy, Creator of The Secret World of Roald Dahl

Bob Crawford searches for the best historians and experts to answer listener questions about American history — from the Revolutionary War to rock & roll feuds. Got a question? Send it to AmericanHistoryHotline@gmail.com.

Bob Crawford searches for the best historians and experts to answer listener questions about American history &mdash; from the Revolutionary War to rock &amp; roll feuds. Got a question? Send it to AmericanHistoryHotline@gmail.com.

American History Hotline

Listen to this collection of top episodes from iHeartRadio and iHeartPodcasts. 

Listen to this collection of top episodes from iHeartRadio and iHeartPodcasts.&nbsp;

Podcasts from iHeartRadio

American History Hotline with Bob Crawford

Did Willy Wonka’s Creator Spy on America? 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/f8145015-6dd8-45ff-94a2-b3de01465a11/transcript

No, Benjamin Franklin did not invent Daylight Saving Time. But he did muse about its practicality in a 1784 essay. So, if Franklin didn't invent DST, where did all this springing forward come from? 

Bob calls up Chad Orzel (A Brief History of Timekeeping: The Science of Marking Time, from Stonehenge to Atomic Clocks) to get to the bottom of this question. 

Oh, and don't forget to change your clocks on March 8th! 

No, Benjamin Franklin did not invent Daylight Saving Time. But he did muse about its practicality in a <a href="https://fi.edu/en/science-and-education/benjamin-franklin/daylight-savings-time">1784 essay</a>. So, if Franklin didn't invent DST, where did all this springing forward come from?&nbsp;
Bob calls up Chad Orzel (<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Brief-History-Timekeeping-Science-Stonehenge/dp/1953295606">A Brief History of Timekeeping: The Science of Marking Time, from Stonehenge to Atomic Clocks</a>) to get to the bottom of this question.&nbsp;
Oh, and don't forget to change your clocks on March 8th!&nbsp;

Why Do We Spring Forward? 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/c5faf116-0560-4fc4-9f13-b3fa0155098f/transcript

Was the Disney movie Balto actually based on a true story? A listener wants to know if this heroic snow dog was real—or just a Hollywood invention. 

To get answers, Bob calls up Dr. Nicole Burt of the Cleveland Museum of Natural History. It turns out, the real Balto is actually IN her museum. What?! 

Bob and Nicole dive into the truth behind one of the most beloved animated films of the 1990s by exploring the real 1925 serum run to Nome, Alaska. How did a deadly diphtheria outbreak create a hero sled dog? And what happened to Balto once the spotlight of fame dimmed? 

It’s an episode that will have you heading to Alaska and hop on a dog sled! Or, at least, pop in an old VHS of Disney’s Balto.

Was the Disney movie Balto actually based on a true story? A listener wants to know if this heroic snow dog was real&mdash;or just a Hollywood invention.&nbsp;
To get answers, Bob calls up Dr. Nicole Burt of the <a href="https://www.cmnh.org/">Cleveland Museum of Natural History</a>. It turns out, the real Balto is actually IN her museum. What?!&nbsp;
Bob and Nicole dive into the truth behind one of the most beloved animated films of the 1990s by exploring the real 1925 serum run to Nome, Alaska. How did a deadly diphtheria outbreak create a hero sled dog? And what happened to Balto once the spotlight of fame dimmed?&nbsp;
It&rsquo;s an episode that will have you heading to Alaska and hop on a dog sled! Or, at least, pop in an old VHS of Disney&rsquo;s Balto.

Was Disney’s Balto a True Story?

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/2afa940f-64da-4970-9999-b3ae01862afa/transcript

In honor of President's Day, we're sharing some of the best conversations we've had about Honest Abe and General Washington. 

We speak with historian Alexis Coe (You Never Forget Your First: A Biography of George Washington) about George Washington myths, including whether or not his teeth were made of wood. 

We also speak with Julian Zelizer about which party Abraham Lincoln would belong to today.

Check out Julian's Substack, The Long View. 

 

In honor of President's Day, we're sharing some of the best conversations we've had about Honest Abe and General Washington.&nbsp;
We speak with historian Alexis Coe (<a href="https://www.alexiscoe.com/aff">You Never Forget Your First: A Biography of George Washington</a>) about George Washington myths, including whether or not his teeth were made of wood.&nbsp;
We also speak with Julian Zelizer about which party Abraham Lincoln would belong to today.
Check out Julian's Substack, <a href="https://julianzelizer.substack.com/">The Long View.</a>&nbsp;
&nbsp;

A Washington & Lincoln Birthday Special!

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/ba0a273b-da08-4d56-bce4-b3f1011a0581/transcript

Did Willy Wonka’s Creator Spy on America?

American History Hotline

In 1 playlist(s)

American History Hotline with Bob Crawford

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips