The Smithsonian Institution is the world's largest museum, education, and research complex -- but how did it get here? Join Ben, Noel and Max as they welcome Lizzie Peabody, host of Sidedoor, the Smithsonian Institution's own official podcast, to learn the stunning origin story of their favorite museums. In part one of this special two-part episode, we meet a young man named James Smithson.

The Smithsonian Institution is the world's largest museum, education, and research complex -- but how did it get here? Join Ben, Noel and Max as they welcome Lizzie Peabody, host of Sidedoor, the Smithsonian Institution's own official podcast, to learn the stunning origin story of their favorite museums. In part one of this special two-part episode, we meet a young man named James Smithson.

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

The Founding of the Smithsonian, Part One: The Remains of the James

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/9bcbdb64-5f07-402e-a7ab-b1bc0122f462/transcript

From 1920 to 1933, the United States was, technically speaking, a dry country. The National Prohibition Act made the manufacture, transport and sale of alcohol illegal for the vast majority of the population. However, there were several loopholes available for the enterprising alcohol enthusiast -- and doctors quickly realized they could make loads of cash prescribing booze for medicinal purposes. Join the guys as they explore the rise and fall of the medicinal alcohol industry.

From 1920 to 1933, the United States was, technically speaking, a dry country. The National Prohibition Act made the manufacture, transport and sale of alcohol illegal for the vast majority of the population. However, there were several loopholes available for the enterprising alcohol enthusiast -- and doctors quickly realized they could make loads of cash prescribing booze for medicinal purposes. Join the guys as they explore the rise and fall of the medicinal alcohol industry.

CLASSIC: Prohibition, Prescriptions and the Rise of 'Medicinal' Booze

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/b89e584a-a401-4805-a10f-b4280156dceb/transcript

As the gang gets ever closer to finally completing their mission to do an episode on every state in the United States, they arrive at North Dakota. While North Dakota remains one of the nation's least populated states, it's still chock-full of Ridiculous History. And, as Ben, Noel and Max discover in today's episode, the bizarre tale of Fort Sauerkraut may be one of the strangest ones out there.

As the gang gets ever closer to finally completing their mission to do an episode on every state in the United States, they arrive at North Dakota. While North Dakota remains one of the nation's least populated states, it's still chock-full of Ridiculous History. And, as Ben, Noel and Max discover in today's episode, the bizarre tale of Fort Sauerkraut may be one of the strangest ones out there.

Fort Sauerkraut: North Dakota’s Strange, Ill-Planned Origin Story

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/43bbff8a-713e-4e42-8eee-b42500e8c864/transcript

Here's one for the cat lovers: Does your feline friend absolutely love catnip? If you have a cat with the right sensitivities, this stuff completely rocks their world. They'll go nuts for it, rolling around in the stuff, chewing it, drooling in a stupor and so on. In today's episode -- inspired by a listener suggestion -- Ben, Noel and Max dive into the ridiculous story of a get-rich-quick catnip scheme, when a New York peddler down on his luck tried to sell catnip door to door... and caused a full-on cat riot in the process.

Here's one for the cat lovers: Does your feline friend absolutely love catnip? If you have a cat with the right sensitivities, this stuff completely rocks their world. They'll go nuts for it, rolling around in the stuff, chewing it, drooling in a stupor and so on. In today's episode -- inspired by a listener suggestion -- Ben, Noel and Max dive into the ridiculous story of a get-rich-quick catnip scheme, when a New York peddler down on his luck tried to sell catnip door to door... and caused a full-on cat riot in the process.

The Bizarre Tale of the 1909 Catnip Riot

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/b1a5e6aa-10b0-4faf-adfc-b42500e8b607/transcript

The Founding of the Smithsonian, Part One: The Remains of the James

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