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.

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

American History Hotline with Bob Crawford

Was Disney’s Balto a True Story?

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