Skyscrapers are beautiful -- and utterly ridiculous. In the first part of this two-part episode, Ben, Noel and Max learn how modern skyscrapers were largely inspired by one guy who, no kidding, saw a heavy book resting on a birdcage and thought "yes, that. But bigger!"

Skyscrapers are beautiful -- and utterly ridiculous. In the first part of this two-part episode, Ben, Noel and Max learn how modern skyscrapers were largely inspired by one guy who, no kidding, saw a heavy book resting on a birdcage and thought "yes, that. But bigger!"

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

Skyscrapers, Part One: A Guy and a Birdcage

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/f39af187-2e9b-4c69-9ae7-b17e00d66043/transcript

Inarguably the most well-known Wookie in the Star Wars universe, Chewbacca also bears a strong resemblance to another popular creature in American culture -- the towering, hirsute cryptid known as Bigfoot. So much so, in fact, that during filming the studio (allegedly) became very concerned for the safety of Peter Mayhew, the actor who played Chewbacca onscreen. While filming Return of the Jedi in the forests of the California redwoods, guards accompanied the costumed Peter Mayhew so that Bigfoot hunters wouldn't shoot him. So what's the big deal with California and Bigfoot? Tune in to find out.

Inarguably the most well-known Wookie in the Star Wars universe, Chewbacca also bears a strong resemblance to another popular creature in American culture -- the towering, hirsute cryptid known as Bigfoot. So much so, in fact, that during filming the studio (allegedly) became very concerned for the safety of Peter Mayhew, the actor who played Chewbacca onscreen. While filming Return of the Jedi in the forests of the California redwoods, guards accompanied the costumed Peter Mayhew so that Bigfoot hunters wouldn't shoot him. So what's the big deal with California and Bigfoot? Tune in to find out.

CLASSIC: That Time Chewbacca Needed Bodyguards

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/d9ff2468-e2bc-492f-ac3f-b22f01017236/transcript

In most of the modern world, the average person has an astonishing resource for any disastrous situation: you find a phone, then dial 3 numbers to be immediately connected with someone who can call police, EMTs, fire fighters or other first responders. It's a fantastic concept, and though it remains a work in progress, these resources inarguably save lives. But how did we get here? Join Ben, Noel and Max as they delve into the suprising evolution of emergency call lines -- along with some hilarious examples of calls gone wrong, especially when callers have their own definitions of "emergency."

In most of the modern world, the average person has an astonishing resource for any disastrous situation: you find a phone, then dial 3 numbers to be immediately connected with someone who can call police, EMTs, fire fighters or other first responders. It's a fantastic concept, and though it remains a work in progress, these resources inarguably save lives. But how did we get here? Join Ben, Noel and Max as they delve into the suprising evolution of emergency call lines -- along with some hilarious examples of calls gone wrong, especially when callers have their own definitions of "emergency."

How Emergency Call Lines Became A Thing

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/f77aa90d-75b2-4c29-900b-b22e0125b2e2/transcript

House cats are astonishing, fascinating, and at-times frustrating little creatures -- yet they've made a comfortable home with humans, spreading in step with every civilization they join. In today's episode, Ben, Noel and Max explore an intriguing theory that busts more than a few stereotypes: What if Vikings were responsible for spreading cats even farther around the world?

House cats are astonishing, fascinating, and at-times frustrating little creatures -- yet they've made a comfortable home with humans, spreading in step with every civilization they join. In today's episode, Ben, Noel and Max explore an intriguing theory that busts more than a few stereotypes: What if Vikings were responsible for spreading cats even farther around the world?

Are the Vikings to Blame for Cats?

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/87ae74dc-bc40-45c4-9fdb-b22c0180f0f7/transcript

Skyscrapers, Part One: A Guy and a Birdcage

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