Well, Ridiculous Historians, as our pal Mark Twain settled into a life of literary fame, he still couldn't help himself from making huge investments in terrible ideas -- sometimes, at an enormous emotional cost to his family. In the second part of this special two-part series, Ben, Noel and Max explore some of Twain's most infamous bad investments, from a bizarre nutritional powder to his own board game, his deep friendship with Nikola Tesla, and more.

Well, Ridiculous Historians, as our pal Mark Twain settled into a life of literary fame, he still couldn't help himself from making huge investments in terrible ideas -- sometimes, at an enormous emotional cost to his family. In the second part of this special two-part series, Ben, Noel and Max explore some of Twain's most infamous bad investments, from a bizarre nutritional powder to his own board game, his deep friendship with Nikola Tesla, and more.

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

Mark Twain Was a Terrible Investor, Part Two: Typesetters, Steam Pulleys and Tesla

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/ec1c3ef1-9c63-49c5-b14a-b1fd011e55cc/transcript

After the fall of the Ottoman Empire, it didn't take the newly-independent nations of Greece and Bulgaria long to begin bickering over their borders. Throughout the early 1920s, small bands of peasants from both countries routinely crossed the border to steal livestock, damage property and harass locals. This untenable situation reached a breaking point in 1925, when a Greek border guard was fatally shot while crossing into Bulgaria to retrieve his dog (who had strayed away on dog business). This single incident sparked a cavalcade of chaos that eventually caught the attention of the League of Nations.

After the fall of the Ottoman Empire, it didn't take the newly-independent nations of Greece and Bulgaria long to begin bickering over their borders. Throughout the early 1920s, small bands of peasants from both countries routinely crossed the border to steal livestock, damage property and harass locals. This untenable situation reached a breaking point in 1925, when a Greek border guard was fatally shot while crossing into Bulgaria to retrieve his dog (who had strayed away on dog business). This single incident sparked a cavalcade of chaos that eventually caught the attention of the League of Nations.

CLASSIC: The War of the Stray Dog: How Far Would You Go For Your Pet?

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/735b3029-37ea-4b5d-8ec8-b3ef014a14c3/transcript

Ptolemy II was known for a lot of things, none of which involved being humble. In the newest installment of this continuing series, Ben, Noel and Max explore the ridiculous story of the Lighthouse of Alexandria.

Ptolemy II was known for a lot of things, none of which involved being humble. In the newest installment of this continuing series, Ben, Noel and Max explore the ridiculous story of the Lighthouse of Alexandria.

Ancient Wonders of the Modern World: the Lighthouse of Alexandria

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/e40c9ae5-ab5d-4a08-bd56-b3ee0140e58d/transcript

So many people grew up hearing the myth that Columbus proved the Earth was round. It's a great story— but it's also utter bunk! In today's episode, Ben and Max get to the bottom of this ridiculous tale, and learn how most of civilization knew the Earth was round way earlier than those old school textbooks would have you believe.

So many people grew up hearing the myth that Columbus proved the Earth was round. It's a great story&mdash; but it's also utter bunk! In today's episode, Ben and Max get to the bottom of this ridiculous tale, and learn how most of civilization knew the Earth was round way earlier than those old school textbooks would have you believe.

People Knew the Earth Was Round Way Earlier Than You Think

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/5f3513b7-0889-4345-b04b-b3ee005204f7/transcript

Mark Twain Was a Terrible Investor, Part Two: Typesetters, Steam Pulleys and Tesla

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