Let's say you're a scientist -- how far would you go to carry out a study? Back in the 1930s, two intrepid researchers went into full spy mode, stalking college students in an effort to determine how they behaved when they didn't know they were being observed. In today's classic episode, we join Ben and Noel as they explore the strange, ridiculous and, at times, disturbing history of informed consent.

Let's say you're a scientist -- how far would you go to carry out a study? Back in the 1930s, two intrepid researchers went into full spy mode, stalking college students in an effort to determine how they behaved when they didn't know they were being observed. In today's classic episode, we join Ben and Noel as they explore the strange, ridiculous and, at times, disturbing history of informed consent.

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

CLASSIC: When Scientists Hid Under Beds To Spy On Kids

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/5b1b6ab6-dacc-4e04-a67d-afb000e744fd/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

Who doesn't love a good deal? Since the days of the Victorian era, people have flocked to estate sales -- the public or private sale of a person's belongings, usually held within their own home, with the aim of liquidating everything inside. And, while they've always been popular with a certain crowd, estate sales are experiencing a new resurgence in popularity throughout the US. So, how did we get here? What makes them so popular, how do they work, and how do they differ from your garden-variety yard sale? Join Ben, Noel, and Max to learn more.

Who doesn't love a good deal? Since the days of the Victorian era, people have flocked to estate sales -- the public or private sale of a person's belongings, usually held within their own home, with the aim of liquidating everything inside. And, while they've always been popular with a certain crowd, estate sales are experiencing a new resurgence in popularity throughout the US. So, how did we get here? What makes them so popular, how do they work, and how do they differ from your garden-variety yard sale? Join Ben, Noel, and Max to learn more.

The Ridiculous History of Estate Sales

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/2aca1502-d8a3-4bcc-b728-b4f60118c43c/transcript

While English may not be the world's most difficult language, it's certainly a weird one. Modern English is riddled with contradictory rules, bizarre exceptions and, of course, a odd little phenomenon known as silent letters. But where did they come from? Why do we spell "enough" that way? Why did we stick a silent "b" in "doubt"? In today's episode, Ben, Noel, and Max discover how the ridiculous evolution of English led us to the strange rise of 'silent letters'.

While English may not be the world's most difficult language, it's certainly a weird one. Modern English is riddled with contradictory rules, bizarre exceptions and, of course, a odd little phenomenon known as silent letters. But where did they come from? Why do we spell "enough" that way? Why did we stick a silent "b" in "doubt"? In today's episode, Ben, Noel, and Max discover how the ridiculous evolution of English led us to the strange rise of 'silent letters'.

The Sound of Silence: What's Up With Silent Lettters?

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/9d6a78b5-cab9-4d61-bbb6-b4f3010dbfa6/transcript

CLASSIC: When Scientists Hid Under Beds To Spy On Kids

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