When you think of bed bugs, you probably think of dirty mattresses, irritating rashes and bites, and the dubious joy of calling an exterminator. However, in millennia past, people were convinced bed bugs, properly prepared, could cure everything from cataracts to the common cold. Tune in to learn more.

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When you think of bed bugs, you probably think of dirty mattresses, irritating rashes and bites, and the dubious joy of calling an exterminator. However, in millennia past, people were convinced bed bugs, properly prepared, could cure everything from cataracts to the common cold. Tune in to learn more. Learn more about your ad-choices at <a href="https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com">https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com</a>

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

When you think of bed bugs, you probably think of dirty mattresses, irritating rashes and bites, and the dubious joy of calling an exterminator. However, in millennia past, people were convinced bed bugs, properly prepared, could cure everything from cataracts to the common cold. Tune in to learn more.

People Used Bed Bugs as Medicine for Thousands of Years

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/34c17772-e183-421d-a7d9-ae30018b5c47/transcript

Heads-up! We are extremely biased on this one. Back in the 1980s, Coca-Cola was terrified of losing the Great Soda War to Pepsi. In the depths of desperation, they futzed with the golden goose — the secret formula for one of the most popular sodas on the planet. In the first spicy sip of this two-liter series, Ben, Noel, and Max discover a grand conspiracy to boost sales… and a genuine culture war looming on the horizon.

Heads-up! We are extremely biased on this one. Back in the 1980s, Coca-Cola was terrified of losing the Great Soda War to Pepsi. In the depths of desperation, they futzed with the golden goose &mdash; the secret formula for one of the most popular sodas on the planet. In the first spicy sip of this two-liter series, Ben, Noel, and Max discover a grand conspiracy to boost sales&hellip; and a genuine culture war looming on the horizon.

The Bizarre Parable of New Coke, Chapter One: Sweeter, Stranger, Strange

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/830126db-a14f-457c-806c-b45001487c55/transcript

Nowadays bicycles are a common sight across the world -- they're efficient, convenient, and a great way to get in some exercise. Yet in the late 1800s they were ground zero for a culture war over women's rights. In today's episode, Ben, Noel and Max discover how the humble 'safety bike' rocked the status quo, giving female riders newfound freedom... and throwing the patriarchy into a panic.

Nowadays bicycles are a common sight across the world -- they're efficient, convenient, and a great way to get in some exercise. Yet in the late 1800s they were ground zero for a culture war over women's rights. In today's episode, Ben, Noel and Max discover how the humble 'safety bike' rocked the status quo, giving female riders newfound freedom... and throwing the patriarchy into a panic.

"Resting Bicycle Face": Bikes and Women's Rights

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/7f815c56-3c9e-4722-9a1a-b44f00d28a25/transcript

In this week's Classic episode: today, Oliver Cromwell is known as one of the most famous figures in English history -- he was a Puritan with no military experience when the Civil War broke out in 1642, but within a decade he rose to the position of Lord Protector, essentially ruling Wales, Scotland and England. He died of natural causes, but was later executed... after his death. What are we talking about? Tune in to find out.

In this week's Classic episode: today, Oliver Cromwell is known as one of the most famous figures in English history -- he was a Puritan with no military experience when the Civil War broke out in 1642, but within a decade he rose to the position of Lord Protector, essentially ruling Wales, Scotland and England. He died of natural causes, but was later executed... after his death. What are we talking about? Tune in to find out.

CLASSIC: How Oliver Cromwell Got Executed Several Years After His Death

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/cd5389dd-214d-4285-9df5-b44a0110776f/transcript

People Used Bed Bugs as Medicine for Thousands of Years

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