The Austrian candy brand Pez is perhaps more well-known for its iconic dispensers than for the candy itself. While they may seem commonplace today, these tablet-shaped bricks have a surprising origin story. In today's episode, Ben, Noel and Max dive into the original purpose of Pez: part candy, yes -- but also an innovative way to help Austrians stop smoking.

The Austrian candy brand Pez is perhaps more well-known for its iconic dispensers than for the candy itself. While they may seem commonplace today, these tablet-shaped bricks have a surprising origin story. In today's episode, Ben, Noel and Max dive into the original purpose of Pez: part candy, yes -- but also an innovative way to help Austrians stop smoking.

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

PEZ: Candy or Anti-smoking Aid?

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/c5b7ddcd-857d-4126-bc33-b13800d8090e/transcript

After going off the grid for the better part of a year, Jonathan Strickland AKA The Quizster returns at the end of 2024, with several bones to pick. As he regales -- and/or tortures -- Ben, Noel and Max with a new quiz and an (apparently) in-depth exploration of vikings, the guys do their best to solve his devious puzzles. Spoiler: this one ends on a cliffhanger.

After going off the grid for the better part of a year, Jonathan Strickland AKA The Quizster returns at the end of 2024, with several bones to pick. As he regales -- and/or tortures -- Ben, Noel and Max with a new quiz and an (apparently) in-depth exploration of vikings, the guys do their best to solve his devious puzzles. Spoiler: this one ends on a cliffhanger.

Whoops! All Quizster, Part One: The Gang Reunites

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/58abcd87-b218-499d-a4e7-b24900f86888/transcript

On the first listen, Maryland's old state song sounds pretty innocuous. There's the usual lauding of the state, a refrain based on "O Tannenbaum" and so on. Yet the lyrics of this song refer to "Northern scum" and call for out and out war with various oppressors. So what gives? Join Ben and Noel as they dive into the strange origin story of "Maryland, My Maryland" in this week's Classic episode.

On the first listen, Maryland's old state song sounds pretty innocuous. There's the usual lauding of the state, a refrain based on "O Tannenbaum" and so on. Yet the lyrics of this song refer to "Northern scum" and call for out and out war with various oppressors. So what gives? Join Ben and Noel as they dive into the strange origin story of "Maryland, My Maryland" in this week's Classic episode.

CLASSIC: Maryland’s State Song was a Diss Track

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/e5cef620-f505-4fe6-887e-b2440130af28/transcript

How did the English alphabet -- a strange agglomeration of curved and straight-lined symbols -- become a thing? In the second part of this special two-part series, Ben, Noel and Max dive into the messy evolution of modern English, with a special shoutout to each letter of the current alphabet and a more than a little speculation about the future of written communication. ProTip: this is going to be hilarious a century or so from when we record it.

How did the English alphabet -- a strange agglomeration of curved and straight-lined symbols -- become a thing? In the second part of this special two-part series, Ben, Noel and Max dive into the messy evolution of modern English, with a special shoutout to each letter of the current alphabet and a more than a little speculation about the future of written communication. ProTip: this is going to be hilarious a century or so from when we record it.

How The (English) Alphabet Became A Thing, Part Two: Each Letter Has A Story

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/ee485421-7f9f-4f20-add6-b2440130af22/transcript

PEZ: Candy or Anti-smoking Aid?

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