Artur Virgilio Alves dos Reis had a gift. He wasn't the smartest kid growing up, nor was he the most athletic -- he was, however, one of Europe's most talented forgers. After a string of various cons, he decided to go big. How big, you ask? Tune in to learn how one lucky conman almost single-handedly brought down the entire Portugese economy.

Artur Virgilio Alves dos Reis had a gift. He wasn't the smartest kid growing up, nor was he the most athletic -- he was, however, one of Europe's most talented forgers. After a string of various cons, he decided to go big. How big, you ask? Tune in to learn how one lucky conman almost single-handedly brought down the entire Portugese economy.

History is beautiful, brutal and, often, ridiculous. Join Ben Bowlin and Noel Brown as they dive into some of the weirdest stories from across the span of human civilization in Ridiculous History, a podcast by iHeartRadio.

Ridiculous History

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

CLASSIC: The Portuguese Bank Note Crisis: How One Lucky Forger Almost Destroyed A Nation's Economy

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/0330e98f-5f1f-4155-97a2-b500011f9999/transcript

Across the modern world, the tuxedo is considered the last word in 'fancy dress'. It's associated with high-class galas, royal ceremonies, weddings, and other white-tie events. But this wasn't always the case! As Ben and Noel learn in today's episode, the tuxedo only became a thing because a certain King wanted to dress down.

Across the modern world, the tuxedo is considered the last word in 'fancy dress'. It's associated with high-class galas, royal ceremonies, weddings, and other white-tie events. But this wasn't always the case! As Ben and Noel learn in today's episode, the tuxedo only became a thing because a certain King wanted to dress down.

Tuxedos: Not Always Fancy

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/131ae9dd-191b-4550-a47e-b4ff01016f3c/transcript

For decades after the close of World War II, civilization found itself in the grips of a new kind of conflict: the Cold War. Pretty much everyone was terrified that Earth was on the edge of nuclear armageddon. In today's episode, Ben and Noel learn how this strange, terrifying era had a knock-on consequence... it fundamentally changed the nature of cinema, leading directly to some of the most stunning science fiction and horror movies in history.

For decades after the close of World War II, civilization found itself in the grips of a new kind of conflict: the Cold War. Pretty much everyone was terrified that Earth was on the edge of nuclear armageddon. In today's episode, Ben and Noel learn how this strange, terrifying era had a knock-on consequence... it fundamentally changed the nature of cinema, leading directly to some of the most stunning science fiction and horror movies in history.

How The Cold War Changed Sci-Fi and Horror Film

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/a9c3443f-5611-4103-a4cf-b4fe0107280e/transcript

During the Prohibition Era, moonshiners and federal agents continually tried to outsmart one another — and one of the moonshiners’ most creative inventions? The bizarre footwear known as Cow Shoes. In this week's Classic episode, Ben and Noel break down a MacGyver-level method to bedevil Big Government.

During the Prohibition Era, moonshiners and federal agents continually tried to outsmart one another &mdash; and one of the moonshiners&rsquo; most creative inventions? The bizarre footwear known as Cow Shoes. In this week's Classic episode, Ben and Noel break down a MacGyver-level method to bedevil Big Government.

"CLASSIC: Cow Shoe Camouflage: How Prohibition-era Moonshiners Outsmarted the Feds	"

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/85f8f7c2-f881-41f1-b67b-b4f6011e746f/transcript

CLASSIC: The Portuguese Bank Note Crisis: How One Lucky Forger Almost Destroyed A Nation's Economy

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