School of humans.

School of humans.

Came from over there, due west towards those woods, following you Slick, Tom Slick, February fourteenth, nineteen fifty eighth.

Came from over there, due west towards those woods, following you Slick, Tom Slick, February fourteenth, nineteen fifty eighth.

My team and I have been out here in the Himalayas.

My team and I have been out here in the Himalayas.

For months, barely surviving, on an expedition that's nearly hijack my life.

For months, barely surviving, on an expedition that's nearly hijack my life.

Hell, it's taken everything, but we just heard it.

Hell, it's taken everything, but we just heard it.

The proof.

The proof.

To Tract Thelitty is an expedition of life and death, mister Slick.

To Tract Thelitty is an expedition of life and death, mister Slick.

It's some mystery that does not want to be sogged.

It's some mystery that does not want to be sogged.

That's why I'm here.

That's why I'm here.

That's second something to the explode.

That's second something to the explode.

Click cut the brown wire.

Click cut the brown wire.

What if I told you I just cut the red one.

What if I told you I just cut the red one.

We're gonna die. Dulles and Chance arrives at at.

We're gonna die. Dulles and Chance arrives at at.

God but blood pressure checked after that.

God but blood pressure checked after that.

Mom, you don't have to listen to this. If it's too much.

Mom, you don't have to listen to this. If it's too much.

These are my father's untold stories.

These are my father's untold stories.

I am listening.

I am listening.

This is the mostly true tale of Tom Slick, the most interesting man you've never heard of.

This is the mostly true tale of Tom Slick, the most interesting man you've never heard of.

Welcome to chapter eight. Fact verse fiction. The director John Ford is credited with saying, when the legend becomes fact print the legend. This podcast follows the remarkable exploits of a real man who lived a legendary life. In this bonus episode, we'll separate the facts from fiction. I'm Caroline Slaughter, the writer and director of Tom Slick Mystery Hunter. I spoke with Tom Slick's descendants and those who were carrying on his legacy to reveal the real Tom Slick. Thomas Slick Junior was born in Clarion, Pennsylvania, on May sixth, nineteen sixteen. As depicted in the podcast. His father, Tom Slick Senior, was known as the King of the Wildcatters due to the large fortune he made mining the fields of Oklahoma for oil before his death in nineteen thirty at only forty six years old. Tom inherited millions after his father's death and used that inheritance to fund institutes dedicated to cutting edge scientific research, some of which still exist today. Slick also funded multiple expeditions to track down the Eddy. We'll get into all of that and more, but first things first. Did Tom Slick leave behind lost tapes documenting his exploits.

Welcome to chapter eight. Fact verse fiction. The director John Ford is credited with saying, when the legend becomes fact print the legend. This podcast follows the remarkable exploits of a real man who lived a legendary life. In this bonus episode, we'll separate the facts from fiction. I'm Caroline Slaughter, the writer and director of Tom Slick Mystery Hunter. I spoke with Tom Slick's descendants and those who were carrying on his legacy to reveal the real Tom Slick. Thomas Slick Junior was born in Clarion, Pennsylvania, on May sixth, nineteen sixteen. As depicted in the podcast. His father, Tom Slick Senior, was known as the King of the Wildcatters due to the large fortune he made mining the fields of Oklahoma for oil before his death in nineteen thirty at only forty six years old. Tom inherited millions after his father's death and used that inheritance to fund institutes dedicated to cutting edge scientific research, some of which still exist today. Slick also funded multiple expeditions to track down the Eddy. We'll get into all of that and more, but first things first. Did Tom Slick leave behind lost tapes documenting his exploits.

There were no tapes in the archive. I found, just wonderful letters.

There were no tapes in the archive. I found, just wonderful letters.

This is Tom Slick Junior, historian and his niece Catherine Nixon Cook.

This is Tom Slick Junior, historian and his niece Catherine Nixon Cook.

I discovered in a shed in one of his scientific institutes. All of his letters written between nineteen forty one and nineteen sixty two, the year that he died.

I discovered in a shed in one of his scientific institutes. All of his letters written between nineteen forty one and nineteen sixty two, the year that he died.

These letters served as research for the two biographies Catherine wrote about her uncle, including one titled Tom Slick Mystery Hunter. But unlike our podcast series, her books are composed of only facts.

These letters served as research for the two biographies Catherine wrote about her uncle, including one titled Tom Slick Mystery Hunter. But unlike our podcast series, her books are composed of only facts.

These letters of Tom Slick were deep. They talked about feelings, they talked about new ideas. They were a real treasure trove. There were stories of breeding the Brangus cattle. There were stories about the Yetti. There were stories about corresponding with Albert Schweitzer about birth control. He invented a hair dryer that we now would think of as a hooded hair dryer. He started an Institute for peace. Just really too many.

These letters of Tom Slick were deep. They talked about feelings, they talked about new ideas. They were a real treasure trove. There were stories of breeding the Brangus cattle. There were stories about the Yetti. There were stories about corresponding with Albert Schweitzer about birth control. He invented a hair dryer that we now would think of as a hooded hair dryer. He started an Institute for peace. Just really too many.

To me, Catherine's right. Our podcast series covers only a portion of Tom Slick's unique and ambitious pursuits, and some of those escapades, as you'll find out in this episode, are largely dramatized, but they are based on truth. Though Tom Slick played many roles in his life as an explorer, inventor, and pioneer of science, the role he revered the most was being a father.

To me, Catherine's right. Our podcast series covers only a portion of Tom Slick's unique and ambitious pursuits, and some of those escapades, as you'll find out in this episode, are largely dramatized, but they are based on truth. Though Tom Slick played many roles in his life as an explorer, inventor, and pioneer of science, the role he revered the most was being a father.

My brother, tom, My, sister Patty, and I would spend the entire summer with Dad in San Antonio. Our times with him were really fun.

My brother, tom, My, sister Patty, and I would spend the entire summer with Dad in San Antonio. Our times with him were really fun.

That's Tom Slick Junior's youngest son, Charles urschel Slick, known to friends and family as Chuck. In the podcast, Tom Slick's story is told true tapes found by his supposed descendants Live and Claire Slick. Both are fictional characters I created for the podcast, but Chuck and his two siblings had first hand experience with Tom's as a devoted and engaged father.

That's Tom Slick Junior's youngest son, Charles urschel Slick, known to friends and family as Chuck. In the podcast, Tom Slick's story is told true tapes found by his supposed descendants Live and Claire Slick. Both are fictional characters I created for the podcast, but Chuck and his two siblings had first hand experience with Tom's as a devoted and engaged father.

He was a really fun person and that, along with his interests in his enthusiasm for whatever his projects were, the fun part brought people along with him, even people who would have said, you know, oh my gosh, the yetie, it's crazy, but his enthusiasm was infectious.

He was a really fun person and that, along with his interests in his enthusiasm for whatever his projects were, the fun part brought people along with him, even people who would have said, you know, oh my gosh, the yetie, it's crazy, but his enthusiasm was infectious.

Chuck was four or five when his parents divorced. His mother moved them from San Antonio to New Jersey, but his father remained very involved in his children's lives.

Chuck was four or five when his parents divorced. His mother moved them from San Antonio to New Jersey, but his father remained very involved in his children's lives.

He took us traveling to a lot of places. We went to Bermuda, we went to Nassau, we went to Acapulco, Disneyland. But we didn't always go in the normal fashion. One time when we were driving to the Grand Canyon, he bought Volkswagen bus from his step brother Charles Erschel, but it didn't have air conditioning because it's nineteen fifty eight or nine. But that didn't slow him down. He got some of the engineers from Southwest Research Institute, one of his institutions, to come to his house and put a room air conditioner on the roof and pipe it into the bus, and we were just as cool as we could be.

He took us traveling to a lot of places. We went to Bermuda, we went to Nassau, we went to Acapulco, Disneyland. But we didn't always go in the normal fashion. One time when we were driving to the Grand Canyon, he bought Volkswagen bus from his step brother Charles Erschel, but it didn't have air conditioning because it's nineteen fifty eight or nine. But that didn't slow him down. He got some of the engineers from Southwest Research Institute, one of his institutions, to come to his house and put a room air conditioner on the roof and pipe it into the bus, and we were just as cool as we could be.

It seems like he had a childlike spirit.

It seems like he had a childlike spirit.

Yeah, he did. He was very interested in just all sorts of things. His mind was kind of wide open and very optimistic. He sort of thought, well, anything can happen. He thought nothing was impossible.

Yeah, he did. He was very interested in just all sorts of things. His mind was kind of wide open and very optimistic. He sort of thought, well, anything can happen. He thought nothing was impossible.

It was this spirit that motivated his ambitious pursuits and just one of the many truths Slick bestowed on his children.

It was this spirit that motivated his ambitious pursuits and just one of the many truths Slick bestowed on his children.

He was big on aphorisms. Whenever we would complain about something, which was often, he would say, you have to be adaptable, or you'll become extinct like the dinosaurs. And when we were scared to do something like dive off the diving board, he would say, a coward dies a thousand deaths, A brave man only one.

He was big on aphorisms. Whenever we would complain about something, which was often, he would say, you have to be adaptable, or you'll become extinct like the dinosaurs. And when we were scared to do something like dive off the diving board, he would say, a coward dies a thousand deaths, A brave man only one.

You may recognize this aphorism from episode four, when Owen Wilson's Slick tells the character Bud about his drive to find the Eddy. According to Chuck, it was an adage instilled in his father and childhood.

You may recognize this aphorism from episode four, when Owen Wilson's Slick tells the character Bud about his drive to find the Eddy. According to Chuck, it was an adage instilled in his father and childhood.

The story was that they were out in the woods and there was some like a log bridge that you had to cross to get over the creek, and he was scared to do it, and either his father or his grandfather said that to him, a coward dies a thousand deaths, a brave man only one. And of course later on in his life, with all the things that he did, including in places like Brazil and the Amazon and the Himalayas, it certainly he took it to heart.

The story was that they were out in the woods and there was some like a log bridge that you had to cross to get over the creek, and he was scared to do it, and either his father or his grandfather said that to him, a coward dies a thousand deaths, a brave man only one. And of course later on in his life, with all the things that he did, including in places like Brazil and the Amazon and the Himalayas, it certainly he took it to heart.

This was one of the many things young Tom garnered from a pivotal figure in his life. Catherine Nixon Cook explains.

This was one of the many things young Tom garnered from a pivotal figure in his life. Catherine Nixon Cook explains.

Tom Slick was greatly influenced by his dad and did inherit that spirit of adventure and curiosity.

Tom Slick was greatly influenced by his dad and did inherit that spirit of adventure and curiosity.

While in the podcast we depict Slick Junior as having a competitive urge to escape living under the shadow of his father, that was an embellishment I set up to motivate him. According to Catherine, Tom respected and adored his father, and even though that contentious dynamic is dramatized in the series, there was a truth Slick Junior touched on in his speech to Bud that his father's fascinations inspired his own.

While in the podcast we depict Slick Junior as having a competitive urge to escape living under the shadow of his father, that was an embellishment I set up to motivate him. According to Catherine, Tom respected and adored his father, and even though that contentious dynamic is dramatized in the series, there was a truth Slick Junior touched on in his speech to Bud that his father's fascinations inspired his own.

Tom Slick Senior was away a lot looking for oil, but when he was home he was very tender, and his three children adored him. He read them stories. I love to talk about the Man of snow Lome Denege in the mountains, which started Tom's curiosity about the snow man, which would become the Yeti.

Tom Slick Senior was away a lot looking for oil, but when he was home he was very tender, and his three children adored him. He read them stories. I love to talk about the Man of snow Lome Denege in the mountains, which started Tom's curiosity about the snow man, which would become the Yeti.

So Slick Junior did, in fact, first hear about the Yeti from his father, a cryptozoological mystery that he would later pursue on multiple expeditions to the Himalayas. But this was just one of the influences his father had on him. The stories about Tom Slick Senior from episode one are largely true. I'll fill you in on that and more after the break.

So Slick Junior did, in fact, first hear about the Yeti from his father, a cryptozoological mystery that he would later pursue on multiple expeditions to the Himalayas. But this was just one of the influences his father had on him. The stories about Tom Slick Senior from episode one are largely true. I'll fill you in on that and more after the break.

My father used to tell me a coward dies a thousand discs, brave man only one, and he lived by that motto, which made him a legend.

My father used to tell me a coward dies a thousand discs, brave man only one, and he lived by that motto, which made him a legend.

Millie Kerr is an historian of Tom Slick Sor. She's also his great great niece, making her Tom Slick Junior's great niece. Millie says Tom Slick Sr. Was indeed the first lucky Tom Slick.

Millie Kerr is an historian of Tom Slick Sor. She's also his great great niece, making her Tom Slick Junior's great niece. Millie says Tom Slick Sr. Was indeed the first lucky Tom Slick.

What I love about Tom Slick Sr. Was that he really did make his own luck. His brother and father worked in the oil industry, but in sort of low level positions, and he was just determined to make it in this field. So he moved around a bit, and then he moved down to Oklahoma to find the big one, as he put it. And at that point he had actually been very unlucky, and he had earned the nickname dry hole Slick because everywhere he drilled it came up dry. But then he happened to discover the Cushing oil field, which was one of the most important and large oil fields in the US, and he essentially became an overnight millionaire.

What I love about Tom Slick Sr. Was that he really did make his own luck. His brother and father worked in the oil industry, but in sort of low level positions, and he was just determined to make it in this field. So he moved around a bit, and then he moved down to Oklahoma to find the big one, as he put it. And at that point he had actually been very unlucky, and he had earned the nickname dry hole Slick because everywhere he drilled it came up dry. But then he happened to discover the Cushing oil field, which was one of the most important and large oil fields in the US, and he essentially became an overnight millionaire.

When Tom Slick Senior died, his estate was valued at somewhere between seventy five and one hundred million dollars in today's terms, that's between six hundred and fifty nine million and one point eight billion. He was reputed to be the wealthiest independent oil man in the world.

When Tom Slick Senior died, his estate was valued at somewhere between seventy five and one hundred million dollars in today's terms, that's between six hundred and fifty nine million and one point eight billion. He was reputed to be the wealthiest independent oil man in the world.

And he ultimately became extremely successful. After a period of very bad luck, where a lot of people would have just thrown in the towel and said this is not working. But he was just determined to push on and find that big one. So his legacy was vast, and he really was a true wildcatter in that he was operating on his own and looking for his own luck and making it.

And he ultimately became extremely successful. After a period of very bad luck, where a lot of people would have just thrown in the towel and said this is not working. But he was just determined to push on and find that big one. So his legacy was vast, and he really was a true wildcatter in that he was operating on his own and looking for his own luck and making it.

Unfortunately, Slick Senior died young, at only forty six years old. Tom Slick Junior was just fourteen at the time. Losing your father is hard enough, but there were other consequences of his death on the Slick family too.

Unfortunately, Slick Senior died young, at only forty six years old. Tom Slick Junior was just fourteen at the time. Losing your father is hard enough, but there were other consequences of his death on the Slick family too.

Tom Slick sor hated publicity, hated the press, only gave one interview, I believe in his entire career, and part of that was his concern about how his wealth and or his children's wealth might impact the family in the future. But when he died, he couldn't control the fact that his death was widely reported in the papers, and a lot of those articles referenced his net worth. And then several years later, when his widow, Bernice, married Charles Erschel, they tried to keep their wedding completely private, but it got picked up in the press and so the public and criminals like machine Gun Kelly discovered the immense wealth of this family, and that made the surviving family members really vulnerable because at the time, kidnapping became sort of the new trend in criminal activity. After the end of Prohibition. Criminals who had been bootlegging were trying to figure out new ways to make money, and so they began kidnapping wealthy individuals for ransom, and Machine Gun Kelly and his wife Catherine decided to kidnap a family member.

Tom Slick sor hated publicity, hated the press, only gave one interview, I believe in his entire career, and part of that was his concern about how his wealth and or his children's wealth might impact the family in the future. But when he died, he couldn't control the fact that his death was widely reported in the papers, and a lot of those articles referenced his net worth. And then several years later, when his widow, Bernice, married Charles Erschel, they tried to keep their wedding completely private, but it got picked up in the press and so the public and criminals like machine Gun Kelly discovered the immense wealth of this family, and that made the surviving family members really vulnerable because at the time, kidnapping became sort of the new trend in criminal activity. After the end of Prohibition. Criminals who had been bootlegging were trying to figure out new ways to make money, and so they began kidnapping wealthy individuals for ransom, and Machine Gun Kelly and his wife Catherine decided to kidnap a family member.

That's right, machine Gun Kelly, not the rapper, but the infamous bank robber, really did kidnaps like junior stepfather Charles Erschel. According to Millie, that target was originally supposed to be Tom's sister Betty.

That's right, machine Gun Kelly, not the rapper, but the infamous bank robber, really did kidnaps like junior stepfather Charles Erschel. According to Millie, that target was originally supposed to be Tom's sister Betty.

Apparently they thought for quite a while about kidnapping my grandmother, who I believe was about fifteen at the time, But in the end, when machine Gun Kelly and his accomplice came to the family home in Oklahoma City, they took my step great grandfather Charles Erschel, and this ended up being one of the most highly publicized notable kidnappings in American history.

Apparently they thought for quite a while about kidnapping my grandmother, who I believe was about fifteen at the time, But in the end, when machine Gun Kelly and his accomplice came to the family home in Oklahoma City, they took my step great grandfather Charles Erschel, and this ended up being one of the most highly publicized notable kidnappings in American history.

In episode two, Tom Slick Junior figures out from a ransom note where Charles Erschel is being held hostage, but that didn't really happen. First of all, at the times, like Junior was in boarding school at Exeter, so he didn't face off with machine Gun Kelly as I depicted in the podcast. And second of all, my.

In episode two, Tom Slick Junior figures out from a ransom note where Charles Erschel is being held hostage, but that didn't really happen. First of all, at the times, like Junior was in boarding school at Exeter, so he didn't face off with machine Gun Kelly as I depicted in the podcast. And second of all, my.

Great grandmother Bernice paid the ransom, and at that time it was the highest kidnapping ransom that had ever been paid, and because of that, Charles Erschel was released by the crimine.

Great grandmother Bernice paid the ransom, and at that time it was the highest kidnapping ransom that had ever been paid, and because of that, Charles Erschel was released by the crimine.

But there is a really remarkable element of this story that is true. While kidnapped, Charles Erschuel did keep track of the plane routes, and after he was released, Ursul provided that and other information to authorities in order to help track down Machine Gun Kelly's location.

But there is a really remarkable element of this story that is true. While kidnapped, Charles Erschuel did keep track of the plane routes, and after he was released, Ursul provided that and other information to authorities in order to help track down Machine Gun Kelly's location.

While he was held hostage, he noted everything he could, including the times of the day when planes would fly overhead. He just used his bodyclock to estimate what time that was. He also worked out where approximately the kidnappers had taken him, just based on things like sounds and smells and how long they'd been on one road before they turned and he essentially gave this investigation over to j Edgar Hoover on a silver platter.

While he was held hostage, he noted everything he could, including the times of the day when planes would fly overhead. He just used his bodyclock to estimate what time that was. He also worked out where approximately the kidnappers had taken him, just based on things like sounds and smells and how long they'd been on one road before they turned and he essentially gave this investigation over to j Edgar Hoover on a silver platter.

In the podcast, this occurs in the late thirties, not long before World War Two, but Charles Ersul's kidnapping actually happened earlier, in nineteen thirty three. After the Lindberg ab kidnapping in nineteen thirty two, which was a case the FBI flubbed, President Herbert Hoover needed a win, so he was determined to drag down Machine Gun Kelly and his accomplices, which, with Charles Urschel's help, he did so. It was Ursul, not Tom Slick, who was by their side when the FBI rated Machine Gun Kelly's farm.

In the podcast, this occurs in the late thirties, not long before World War Two, but Charles Ersul's kidnapping actually happened earlier, in nineteen thirty three. After the Lindberg ab kidnapping in nineteen thirty two, which was a case the FBI flubbed, President Herbert Hoover needed a win, so he was determined to drag down Machine Gun Kelly and his accomplices, which, with Charles Urschel's help, he did so. It was Ursul, not Tom Slick, who was by their side when the FBI rated Machine Gun Kelly's farm.

Don't super game, it don't tooo.

Don't super game, it don't tooo.

And after a highly publicized trial, Kelly was imprisoned in Alcatraz. For the show, we moved the kidnapping back a couple of years so that our hero Tom Slick would be old enough to assist the FBI in tracking down his stepfather. This also works so that his Road to Damascus moment would land right before World War Two, when Alan Dulles, who at the time was an OSS secret agent, could theoretically recruit Slick for a more substantial mission.

And after a highly publicized trial, Kelly was imprisoned in Alcatraz. For the show, we moved the kidnapping back a couple of years so that our hero Tom Slick would be old enough to assist the FBI in tracking down his stepfather. This also works so that his Road to Damascus moment would land right before World War Two, when Alan Dulles, who at the time was an OSS secret agent, could theoretically recruit Slick for a more substantial mission.

But in real life, Allan dllis is an interesting character to place in the podcast, but the relationship is fictional he was old enough to be Tom's father, and he went to Princeton.

But in real life, Allan dllis is an interesting character to place in the podcast, but the relationship is fictional he was old enough to be Tom's father, and he went to Princeton.

Tom Slick went to Yale, which, as Catherine points out.

Tom Slick went to Yale, which, as Catherine points out.

Yale was a big recruiting ground, first for the OSS and then for the CIA. So that connection, that link, that possibility is in the true Tom Slick story.

Yale was a big recruiting ground, first for the OSS and then for the CIA. So that connection, that link, that possibility is in the true Tom Slick story.

So most of you probably know about Yale's notorious secret society Skull and Bones, which was prime recruitment for the OSS, which became the CIA, and there is an air of mystery about Tom Slick's potential involvement with the society when he went to school there. So while we don't know that Dulles and Tom Slick ever knew each other, the idea that our hero might have cross paths with the longest serving director of the CIA could have happened later. As the threat of World War II loomed. In nineteen forty one, Tom Slick did volunteer for naval duty, but was disqualified due to poor eyesight. So, as was depicted in the podcast, Tom Slick was sent to Santiago, Chili by the War Production Board.

So most of you probably know about Yale's notorious secret society Skull and Bones, which was prime recruitment for the OSS, which became the CIA, and there is an air of mystery about Tom Slick's potential involvement with the society when he went to school there. So while we don't know that Dulles and Tom Slick ever knew each other, the idea that our hero might have cross paths with the longest serving director of the CIA could have happened later. As the threat of World War II loomed. In nineteen forty one, Tom Slick did volunteer for naval duty, but was disqualified due to poor eyesight. So, as was depicted in the podcast, Tom Slick was sent to Santiago, Chili by the War Production Board.

When Tom Slick was working as a dollar a year man at the beginning of World War Two, he was mysteriously posted to South America.

When Tom Slick was working as a dollar a year man at the beginning of World War Two, he was mysteriously posted to South America.

At the time, a Nazi spir ring was operating in Chile, and there was in fact a German mission to bomb the Panama Canal called Operation Pelican. When I found out that Tom Slick was in Chile at the same time that this operation was underway, I connected the two.

At the time, a Nazi spir ring was operating in Chile, and there was in fact a German mission to bomb the Panama Canal called Operation Pelican. When I found out that Tom Slick was in Chile at the same time that this operation was underway, I connected the two.

Yeah, I just pulled up declassified files released in twenty seventeen. They're all about a Nazi spirring headquartered in.

Yeah, I just pulled up declassified files released in twenty seventeen. They're all about a Nazi spirring headquartered in.

Chile, Nazi spiring headquartered in Chili, and Dad was there, yep.

Chile, Nazi spiring headquartered in Chili, and Dad was there, yep.

But as far as we know, Tom Slick had no involvement in sabotaging the Nazis diabolical plan. That said, government files about Nazi activity in South America during World War II are now being to classify, so who knows what might turn up about Tom Slick Junior.

But as far as we know, Tom Slick had no involvement in sabotaging the Nazis diabolical plan. That said, government files about Nazi activity in South America during World War II are now being to classify, so who knows what might turn up about Tom Slick Junior.

There were rumors within the family and with close friends who knew him, that perhaps Tom Slick was involved in espionage during the war.

There were rumors within the family and with close friends who knew him, that perhaps Tom Slick was involved in espionage during the war.

In the podcast in Awestruck, Claire played by Sissy Spask, finally remembers her father laughing off these accusations.

In the podcast in Awestruck, Claire played by Sissy Spask, finally remembers her father laughing off these accusations.

I was always rumored that he was some sort of secret agent, but he just.

I was always rumored that he was some sort of secret agent, but he just.

Laugh at off. Well, now you know, and indeed his reaction was to just laugh it off, and none of us ever really knew the truth.

Laugh at off. Well, now you know, and indeed his reaction was to just laugh it off, and none of us ever really knew the truth.

Along with this fact, there is another one I wove into episode two in.

Along with this fact, there is another one I wove into episode two in.

The Panama Canal Caper, Tom says, when chance arrives act. That's a very Tom Slick saying something his father taught him when he was a little boy, and certainly he would have said it over and over again to whomever he was working with in South America.

The Panama Canal Caper, Tom says, when chance arrives act. That's a very Tom Slick saying something his father taught him when he was a little boy, and certainly he would have said it over and over again to whomever he was working with in South America.

Dallas Champs arrived at.

Dallas Champs arrived at.

Tom Slick's fortitude is what led me to connect him to another clandestine mission. His assistance in helping the mysterious and mystical Lama X escape Tibet.

Tom Slick's fortitude is what led me to connect him to another clandestine mission. His assistance in helping the mysterious and mystical Lama X escape Tibet.

We all could guess that Lama X is loosely based on the Dali Lama. There are very interesting stories about how the Dalai Lama was rescued from Tibet. When the Chinese were moving in in nineteen I want to say nineteen fifty seven, might have been nineteen fifty eight. It was the same time that Tom Slick was on expedition in.

We all could guess that Lama X is loosely based on the Dali Lama. There are very interesting stories about how the Dalai Lama was rescued from Tibet. When the Chinese were moving in in nineteen I want to say nineteen fifty seven, might have been nineteen fifty eight. It was the same time that Tom Slick was on expedition in.

Nepal, one of his Yetti Hunt expeditions.

Nepal, one of his Yetti Hunt expeditions.

So there were always very remote rumors that perhaps he and Peter Burn helped with that.

So there were always very remote rumors that perhaps he and Peter Burn helped with that.

Remember in episode six when Jimmy Stewart's character meets Bud at the airport and almost calls him Peter. That's because even though Bud is completely made up, I was inspired by the real man Peter Byrne, who is one of Tom Slick's lead guides on his yetty expeditions. The Bud character is a composite of a handful of Slick's expedition team members, but Burne's tenacity and experience with big game hunting was a significant influence on Bud's character. Additionally, the Chilean spy Dominique pure fiction, but who doesn't love writing a fearless and savvy female operative.

Remember in episode six when Jimmy Stewart's character meets Bud at the airport and almost calls him Peter. That's because even though Bud is completely made up, I was inspired by the real man Peter Byrne, who is one of Tom Slick's lead guides on his yetty expeditions. The Bud character is a composite of a handful of Slick's expedition team members, but Burne's tenacity and experience with big game hunting was a significant influence on Bud's character. Additionally, the Chilean spy Dominique pure fiction, but who doesn't love writing a fearless and savvy female operative.

Yes, that's how I get my secrets.

Yes, that's how I get my secrets.

Catherine is all in for that.

Catherine is all in for that.

She did not exist that I know of, But every story needs romance.

She did not exist that I know of, But every story needs romance.

So Tom Slick's involvement and the Dalai Lama's escape from Debet is rumored. There's no solid proof, but it's not all made up. Tom Slick did really meet the Dali Lama, and there's one scene in the podcast about that interaction that's true. Katherine Nixon Cook explains.

So Tom Slick's involvement and the Dalai Lama's escape from Debet is rumored. There's no solid proof, but it's not all made up. Tom Slick did really meet the Dali Lama, and there's one scene in the podcast about that interaction that's true. Katherine Nixon Cook explains.

In the podcast, Tom Slick asks the if he can have a crash course in enlightenment, and in fact, he really did ask the Dali Lama that very question. When he met the Dali Lama in nineteen fifty seven, Tom was very interested in cosmic consciousness, something that would later translate to his institute, the Mind Science Foundation. He asked his holiness if he could attain cosmic consciousness. The Dali Lama replied, well, yes, that's possible. How long do you have? Tom Slick replied, I've got one week.

In the podcast, Tom Slick asks the if he can have a crash course in enlightenment, and in fact, he really did ask the Dali Lama that very question. When he met the Dali Lama in nineteen fifty seven, Tom was very interested in cosmic consciousness, something that would later translate to his institute, the Mind Science Foundation. He asked his holiness if he could attain cosmic consciousness. The Dali Lama replied, well, yes, that's possible. How long do you have? Tom Slick replied, I've got one week.

Tom Slick might have had limited time due to an expedition that, unlike the CIA missions, was quite true. His hunt for the yetty Slick launched multiple Yetti expeditions in the Himalayas throughout the nineteen fifties. His fascination with cryptozoology, which is known as the science of hidden animals, is well documented and started as early as his college years, when he per just a hote, allegedly a cross between a hog and a goat. He didn't crossbreed the animal himself, but tracked it down after reading about it and Ripley's Believe It or Not and Believe It or Not. He did actually name it Sweet William. This was followed by his real hunt for the Lognus monster in nineteen thirty seven, an adventure he embarked on with his fraternity brothers during a summer break from Yale. According to Catherine Nixon Cook, unlike what we depicted in the podcast, Slick took this expedition very seriously, and though he didn't find NeSSI on this trip, he did discover that science and fun can coexist. In fact, if you visit Tomslick Park in San Antonio, Texas, there's a metal sculpture of NeSSI submerged in the park's lake, another thrilling adventure that adds to the legend of Tom Slick Junior. My first fling with crypto's zoology.

Tom Slick might have had limited time due to an expedition that, unlike the CIA missions, was quite true. His hunt for the yetty Slick launched multiple Yetti expeditions in the Himalayas throughout the nineteen fifties. His fascination with cryptozoology, which is known as the science of hidden animals, is well documented and started as early as his college years, when he per just a hote, allegedly a cross between a hog and a goat. He didn't crossbreed the animal himself, but tracked it down after reading about it and Ripley's Believe It or Not and Believe It or Not. He did actually name it Sweet William. This was followed by his real hunt for the Lognus monster in nineteen thirty seven, an adventure he embarked on with his fraternity brothers during a summer break from Yale. According to Catherine Nixon Cook, unlike what we depicted in the podcast, Slick took this expedition very seriously, and though he didn't find NeSSI on this trip, he did discover that science and fun can coexist. In fact, if you visit Tomslick Park in San Antonio, Texas, there's a metal sculpture of NeSSI submerged in the park's lake, another thrilling adventure that adds to the legend of Tom Slick Junior. My first fling with crypto's zoology.

I didn't even get to first base.

I didn't even get to first base.

Look, it's important to note that at the time, cryptozoology was thought of very differently than it is today. Chuck Slick explains.

Look, it's important to note that at the time, cryptozoology was thought of very differently than it is today. Chuck Slick explains.

If you think about it in the nineteen fifties, in a sort of pre GPS and Google Earth world, that it might perfectly been reasonable that some creature like the Yeti could exist in a place like the Himalayas, which was almost completely undiscovered by Western scientists and geographers, and there was sort of the theory that it was possible that the Yeti was some sort of a missing link in the evolutionary chain between apes and men, and that would have been quite a scientific find.

If you think about it in the nineteen fifties, in a sort of pre GPS and Google Earth world, that it might perfectly been reasonable that some creature like the Yeti could exist in a place like the Himalayas, which was almost completely undiscovered by Western scientists and geographers, and there was sort of the theory that it was possible that the Yeti was some sort of a missing link in the evolutionary chain between apes and men, and that would have been quite a scientific find.

So, as we make clear in the podcast, Slick's interest in the Yetti was grounded in science and because of a handful of cryptozoological discoveries made in the early twentieth century. Slick wasn't the only one to mount to hunt in the Himalayas. Sir Edmund Hillary, most widely known as the first Western explorer to climb Everest, led an expedition in search of the Yeti with SRPA mountaineer tin Zang Norgay around nineteen sixty one, but Slick pioneered the quest for the legendary creature.

So, as we make clear in the podcast, Slick's interest in the Yetti was grounded in science and because of a handful of cryptozoological discoveries made in the early twentieth century. Slick wasn't the only one to mount to hunt in the Himalayas. Sir Edmund Hillary, most widely known as the first Western explorer to climb Everest, led an expedition in search of the Yeti with SRPA mountaineer tin Zang Norgay around nineteen sixty one, but Slick pioneered the quest for the legendary creature.

Before that, Tom Slick went on three different Yetti hunts in the nineteen fifties.

Before that, Tom Slick went on three different Yetti hunts in the nineteen fifties.

Catherine Nixon Cook covers the specifics of each of these expeditions in her book In Search of Tom Slick, and it's thanks to Catherine's research that I slipped another fact into the podcast. Tom Slick did meet the Maharaja of Baroda before heading out on his first expedition.

Catherine Nixon Cook covers the specifics of each of these expeditions in her book In Search of Tom Slick, and it's thanks to Catherine's research that I slipped another fact into the podcast. Tom Slick did meet the Maharaja of Baroda before heading out on his first expedition.

My Roger listen, I'm not hunting the Yeti to kill it. I'm a man of science.

My Roger listen, I'm not hunting the Yeti to kill it. I'm a man of science.

But those in your rent don't believe what they can see.

But those in your rent don't believe what they can see.

Yeah, I agree, some don't, but I'm not one of them.

Yeah, I agree, some don't, but I'm not one of them.

Science is about exploring the unknown.

Science is about exploring the unknown.

And though Slick did in real life tell the Maharaja about his quote snowman hunt, the Maharazon never warned him about tracking down the Yetti, so Slick dove in full force.

And though Slick did in real life tell the Maharaja about his quote snowman hunt, the Maharazon never warned him about tracking down the Yetti, so Slick dove in full force.

With true adventuresome spirit. He lined up all kinds of things to help the hunt, including tracking dogs, which did not work. They wore special boots in the snow. He had the idea of a plane that would hover and look for a Yetti in the hills. He added all sorts of scientific components to these hunts. He took along the Burn brothers, Peter Burn being one of those who were known for their hunting and tracking abilities, and was sure that he had found evidence of the Yeti several times.

With true adventuresome spirit. He lined up all kinds of things to help the hunt, including tracking dogs, which did not work. They wore special boots in the snow. He had the idea of a plane that would hover and look for a Yetti in the hills. He added all sorts of scientific components to these hunts. He took along the Burn brothers, Peter Burn being one of those who were known for their hunting and tracking abilities, and was sure that he had found evidence of the Yeti several times.

Those Slick never found the Yetti. There were two discoveries he made on these tracks.

Those Slick never found the Yetti. There were two discoveries he made on these tracks.

There's the story of the Yeti footprint, which came back to Texas as a plaster cast and sat on his dining room table. When I was a little.

There's the story of the Yeti footprint, which came back to Texas as a plaster cast and sat on his dining room table. When I was a little.

Girl, Catherine's biography of Slick traces his discovery of the footprint in the snow at about ten thousand feet in a mountain range bordering the Rune Valley in the Himalayas. It was approximately thirteen inches long and was similar to tracks Peter Byrne found at eight thousand feet, which were the five toed footprints of a bipedal creature, one that walks on two legs, not four, of considerable weight.

Girl, Catherine's biography of Slick traces his discovery of the footprint in the snow at about ten thousand feet in a mountain range bordering the Rune Valley in the Himalayas. It was approximately thirteen inches long and was similar to tracks Peter Byrne found at eight thousand feet, which were the five toed footprints of a bipedal creature, one that walks on two legs, not four, of considerable weight.

Holy Holy, how is this? This footprint must be around thirteen inches long five inches wide.

Holy Holy, how is this? This footprint must be around thirteen inches long five inches wide.

Yes.

Yes.

We posted some of the photos from the expeditions, including the footprint and other historical documents, on the School of Humans Instagram page, so go check it out. Chuck Slick was a very young boy when his father embarked on his Yetty expeditions, but he did get a kick out of these initial discoveries.

We posted some of the photos from the expeditions, including the footprint and other historical documents, on the School of Humans Instagram page, so go check it out. Chuck Slick was a very young boy when his father embarked on his Yetty expeditions, but he did get a kick out of these initial discoveries.

Oh did give him plaster casts of Yetty footprints, which was a great thing to talk about at cocktail parties. Somewhere. It's just disappeared over the years.

Oh did give him plaster casts of Yetty footprints, which was a great thing to talk about at cocktail parties. Somewhere. It's just disappeared over the years.

Slick's next discovery will not be a new one to listeners, even if it could have been ripped from a movie script.

Slick's next discovery will not be a new one to listeners, even if it could have been ripped from a movie script.

The Jimmy Stewart smuggling story in the podcast is mostly true and it sounds totally made up. Tom Slick did meet during his life all sorts of fascinating people, some of them movie stars like Jimmy Stewart.

The Jimmy Stewart smuggling story in the podcast is mostly true and it sounds totally made up. Tom Slick did meet during his life all sorts of fascinating people, some of them movie stars like Jimmy Stewart.

According to Catherine and a handful of sources, Jimmy Stewart did in fact smuggle a Yetti appendage from Calcutta to London in nineteen fifty eight. Catherine shares details there.

According to Catherine and a handful of sources, Jimmy Stewart did in fact smuggle a Yetti appendage from Calcutta to London in nineteen fifty eight. Catherine shares details there.

Were rumors that a Yetti hand was in a monastery high in the mountains of Nepal. If this was true, it could help prove the existence of the Yetti. Tom Slick asked one of his expedition members but ud in the podcast, Peter Byrne in real life, to go to the monastery and acquire just the thumb of the hand. That is what was needed for the scientific study, since it would be an opposable thumb if indeed it was a primate. Peter Burn did a very delicate operation of removing the thumb and sewing in its place a human thumb that he had brought with him on the expedition. It was not a paw but a thumb, and instead of going through Glorias Stewart's Lingerie.

Were rumors that a Yetti hand was in a monastery high in the mountains of Nepal. If this was true, it could help prove the existence of the Yetti. Tom Slick asked one of his expedition members but ud in the podcast, Peter Byrne in real life, to go to the monastery and acquire just the thumb of the hand. That is what was needed for the scientific study, since it would be an opposable thumb if indeed it was a primate. Peter Burn did a very delicate operation of removing the thumb and sewing in its place a human thumb that he had brought with him on the expedition. It was not a paw but a thumb, and instead of going through Glorias Stewart's Lingerie.

After fondling your unmentionable as I do hope the creature's fingers are still intact.

After fondling your unmentionable as I do hope the creature's fingers are still intact.

Although I love that story. It was actually in a film canister in the days when we carried little canisters for our film, and it got to London where it mysteriously disappeared from the lab a few years later.

Although I love that story. It was actually in a film canister in the days when we carried little canisters for our film, and it got to London where it mysteriously disappeared from the lab a few years later.

So that whole daring museum heist when Slick steals the Yetti Paul before it's exposed to the masses. Well, I wish I could say that it's the reason the Yeddi appendage vanished in real life. But that caper was pure fiction. That said, the Yeti thumb did disappear, so maybe the truth is stranger than fiction.

So that whole daring museum heist when Slick steals the Yetti Paul before it's exposed to the masses. Well, I wish I could say that it's the reason the Yeddi appendage vanished in real life. But that caper was pure fiction. That said, the Yeti thumb did disappear, so maybe the truth is stranger than fiction.

It's another unsolved Tom Slick mystery.

It's another unsolved Tom Slick mystery.

Tom Slick took his Yeti expeditions very seriously, as was noted in an editorial in the San Antonio Express in nineteen fifty six, which is featured in Catherine Nixon Cooke's biography In Search of Tom Slick. In the article, he told a friend about his belief in the Yetti. When his friend expressed doubt, Slick said he would donate one thousand dollars to his friend's favorite charity if the Yetti was not found before the end of nineteen fifty eight. Then followed that up in the article by saying, quote, before any mistaken conclusions are drawn, let me emphasize that this does not signifying that I take the matter lightly far from it. Indeed, it indicates how nearly positive I am in my own mind that the Yeti exists as a humanoid creature. The search for it is surely a scientific project of major importance, which could add immeasurably to our knowledge of mankind.

Tom Slick took his Yeti expeditions very seriously, as was noted in an editorial in the San Antonio Express in nineteen fifty six, which is featured in Catherine Nixon Cooke's biography In Search of Tom Slick. In the article, he told a friend about his belief in the Yetti. When his friend expressed doubt, Slick said he would donate one thousand dollars to his friend's favorite charity if the Yetti was not found before the end of nineteen fifty eight. Then followed that up in the article by saying, quote, before any mistaken conclusions are drawn, let me emphasize that this does not signifying that I take the matter lightly far from it. Indeed, it indicates how nearly positive I am in my own mind that the Yeti exists as a humanoid creature. The search for it is surely a scientific project of major importance, which could add immeasurably to our knowledge of mankind.

As a man of science, I will not hunt down some fantasy, but.

As a man of science, I will not hunt down some fantasy, but.

I will expose one of the greatest mysteries of our time.

I will expose one of the greatest mysteries of our time.

Those Slick's dedication to this cryptozoological pursuit was real. Chuck Slick wants to make one thing very clear.

Those Slick's dedication to this cryptozoological pursuit was real. Chuck Slick wants to make one thing very clear.

He was never obsessed with the Yeti. It was just one more thing, was the next challenge that he was looking into. I'm sure he spent plenty of money on it. I know he did, but it never would come anywhere near depleting his assets. He never almost bankrupted him like in the Podcas.

He was never obsessed with the Yeti. It was just one more thing, was the next challenge that he was looking into. I'm sure he spent plenty of money on it. I know he did, but it never would come anywhere near depleting his assets. He never almost bankrupted him like in the Podcas.

But it sure makes for higher stakes in the show. While his YETI expeditions might be Slick's most entertaining pursuit, they can't compare to the real story of Slick's impact on science, innovation, and the world. We'll hear all about Tom Slick's legacy after the break in the nineteen forties, when Tom Slick was a young man, he used his inheritance to establish scientific research institutes, and they're some of his most enduring and impactful accomplishments.

But it sure makes for higher stakes in the show. While his YETI expeditions might be Slick's most entertaining pursuit, they can't compare to the real story of Slick's impact on science, innovation, and the world. We'll hear all about Tom Slick's legacy after the break in the nineteen forties, when Tom Slick was a young man, he used his inheritance to establish scientific research institutes, and they're some of his most enduring and impactful accomplishments.

We were instrumental in bringing the Pfizer vaccine to the FDA for clinical trials.

We were instrumental in bringing the Pfizer vaccine to the FDA for clinical trials.

This is Larry Schlessinger, President and CEO of Texas Biomedical Research Institute in San Antonio, Texas. He's speaking about the COVID nineteen vaccine, which we're all familiar with. Texas BioMed was on the front lines of bringing the vaccine to the masses.

This is Larry Schlessinger, President and CEO of Texas Biomedical Research Institute in San Antonio, Texas. He's speaking about the COVID nineteen vaccine, which we're all familiar with. Texas BioMed was on the front lines of bringing the vaccine to the masses.

Estimated to have saved over twenty million lives as a result of having those vaccines come so quickly.

Estimated to have saved over twenty million lives as a result of having those vaccines come so quickly.

Texas BioMed was established in nineteen forty one, when Tom was only twenty five years old. It is one of the five institutes Tom Slick Junior founded and one of the three that are still thriving today.

Texas BioMed was established in nineteen forty one, when Tom was only twenty five years old. It is one of the five institutes Tom Slick Junior founded and one of the three that are still thriving today.

Texas biomgal Research Institute has a mission, and that's protecting you, your families, and the global community from the threat of infectious diseases. You know, we say that cancer affects one in three people, which is an astounding number, but I like to say infection affects one in one. No one escapes and infection in their lifetime.

Texas biomgal Research Institute has a mission, and that's protecting you, your families, and the global community from the threat of infectious diseases. You know, we say that cancer affects one in three people, which is an astounding number, but I like to say infection affects one in one. No one escapes and infection in their lifetime.

Texas BioMed has been at the forefront of combating infectious diseases, which, along with advancing the first COVID nineteen vaccine, also resulted in the first bullet treatment, the first hepatitis C therapy, and extensive research around HIVAS, along with many more developments, most notably the high frequency neonatal ventilator, which provides breathing support for infants and children who are too ill or premature to breathe on their own. And as we depict in the podcast, Tom Slick did believe that non human primates could serve as a prime model of human health. That vision led to pioneering advancements for humanity in both science and medicine. Since then, Texas BioMed has enhanced their National Primate Center, which was originated by Tom Slick. As committed as the institute is to fighting infectious diseases that afflict us today. They also have an eye on the future and are training the next generation by providing STEM education, which in the past year around ten thousand youth have engaged in.

Texas BioMed has been at the forefront of combating infectious diseases, which, along with advancing the first COVID nineteen vaccine, also resulted in the first bullet treatment, the first hepatitis C therapy, and extensive research around HIVAS, along with many more developments, most notably the high frequency neonatal ventilator, which provides breathing support for infants and children who are too ill or premature to breathe on their own. And as we depict in the podcast, Tom Slick did believe that non human primates could serve as a prime model of human health. That vision led to pioneering advancements for humanity in both science and medicine. Since then, Texas BioMed has enhanced their National Primate Center, which was originated by Tom Slick. As committed as the institute is to fighting infectious diseases that afflict us today. They also have an eye on the future and are training the next generation by providing STEM education, which in the past year around ten thousand youth have engaged in.

Tom had a guiding principle in his life, and that god in principle was that the welfare of humankind is advanced through scientific research. He wasn't a scientist himself, but he definitely had this spirit of one and as a result of what he created in the nineteen forties, he left an enduring legacy.

Tom had a guiding principle in his life, and that god in principle was that the welfare of humankind is advanced through scientific research. He wasn't a scientist himself, but he definitely had this spirit of one and as a result of what he created in the nineteen forties, he left an enduring legacy.

Schlessinger explains where that legacy originated.

Schlessinger explains where that legacy originated.

Tom Slick Junior was a twenty five year old young man who had a vision, and that vision was that the advance of a human health would occur through biomedical research and in vision San Antonio as a city of science.

Tom Slick Junior was a twenty five year old young man who had a vision, and that vision was that the advance of a human health would occur through biomedical research and in vision San Antonio as a city of science.

And this in and of itself was both innovative and risky.

And this in and of itself was both innovative and risky.

In nineteen forty one, in the wild west of Texas, where there was no graduate education, no medical school, he thought about building these nonprofit research institutes that would focus on science, and so with inheritance he he purchased sixteen hundred acres of a cattle ranch in San Antonio, Texas, and he started to build a science infrastructure on that campus, and he titled the portion of the land that he purchased through inheritance the SR ranch EESSAR, which is phonetic for S and R for scientific Research. And in the nineteen fifties he developed what is our current site of Texas Biomedical Research Institute. What is fascinating about this is that in his twenties, Tom Slip Junior traveled the world and he had this notion about innovation and science. He's been called a true visionary, But really what compels me, since I meet a lot of so called visionaries in my career, is that he actually executed on that vision, forming these biomedical research institutes.

In nineteen forty one, in the wild west of Texas, where there was no graduate education, no medical school, he thought about building these nonprofit research institutes that would focus on science, and so with inheritance he he purchased sixteen hundred acres of a cattle ranch in San Antonio, Texas, and he started to build a science infrastructure on that campus, and he titled the portion of the land that he purchased through inheritance the SR ranch EESSAR, which is phonetic for S and R for scientific Research. And in the nineteen fifties he developed what is our current site of Texas Biomedical Research Institute. What is fascinating about this is that in his twenties, Tom Slip Junior traveled the world and he had this notion about innovation and science. He's been called a true visionary, But really what compels me, since I meet a lot of so called visionaries in my career, is that he actually executed on that vision, forming these biomedical research institutes.

Tom Slick's dream was to establish a city of science in San Antonio, and he did it mid twenties when most of us are still figuring out what we want to do with our lives. The names of the institutes may have changed over the years, but Slick's intention has endured to implement the machinery of science towards the advancement of humanity.

Tom Slick's dream was to establish a city of science in San Antonio, and he did it mid twenties when most of us are still figuring out what we want to do with our lives. The names of the institutes may have changed over the years, but Slick's intention has endured to implement the machinery of science towards the advancement of humanity.

Well, at any given day, we typically have about four thousand active research projects.

Well, at any given day, we typically have about four thousand active research projects.

That's Adam Hamilton, the President and CEO of Southwest Research Institute, which, as I'm sure you've guessed, is another one of Tom Slick's prosperous scientific research institutes.

That's Adam Hamilton, the President and CEO of Southwest Research Institute, which, as I'm sure you've guessed, is another one of Tom Slick's prosperous scientific research institutes.

We're also able to focus our research on topics that range from anything deep sea to deep space and practically everywhere in between. Selfist Research Institute itself is one of the largest applied R and D organizations that's independent and nonprofit in the country and also in the world.

We're also able to focus our research on topics that range from anything deep sea to deep space and practically everywhere in between. Selfist Research Institute itself is one of the largest applied R and D organizations that's independent and nonprofit in the country and also in the world.

Hamilton ran down an extensive list of what the institute is working on.

Hamilton ran down an extensive list of what the institute is working on.

Now.

Now.

There's the Lucy Mission, which, on an expedition to the Trojan asteroids in Jupiter's orbit, made the accidental discovery of an asteroid that had its own moon. They're also working on a multimillion dollar project with the Department of Energy on modifying traditional combustion engines so that they run on one hundred percent hydrogen. Not a small feed, but I don't think Tom Slick would expect anything less from one of his institutes. Tom Slick Junior was serious about his scientific pursuits, but as Chuck mentioned earlier, he also knew how to have fun, and, as Hamilton notes, the Southwest Research Institute mixes that element of playfulness into their culture.

There's the Lucy Mission, which, on an expedition to the Trojan asteroids in Jupiter's orbit, made the accidental discovery of an asteroid that had its own moon. They're also working on a multimillion dollar project with the Department of Energy on modifying traditional combustion engines so that they run on one hundred percent hydrogen. Not a small feed, but I don't think Tom Slick would expect anything less from one of his institutes. Tom Slick Junior was serious about his scientific pursuits, but as Chuck mentioned earlier, he also knew how to have fun, and, as Hamilton notes, the Southwest Research Institute mixes that element of playfulness into their culture.

So we have a Yeti in our newsletter that's hidden every month, and staff members have the opportunity to win a prize if they're the first one to find the Yeti. And we also have large yettis that we hide at various places on our fifteen hundred campus. But we also then celebrate excellence. We have Yety awards here on campus for safety and for other things like that. It's a part of our culture that I hope represents Tom Slick in a very positive light.

So we have a Yeti in our newsletter that's hidden every month, and staff members have the opportunity to win a prize if they're the first one to find the Yeti. And we also have large yettis that we hide at various places on our fifteen hundred campus. But we also then celebrate excellence. We have Yety awards here on campus for safety and for other things like that. It's a part of our culture that I hope represents Tom Slick in a very positive light.

Slicks Institutes are keeping his spirit alive in more ways than one.

Slicks Institutes are keeping his spirit alive in more ways than one.

I've called him a pioneer of the possible.

I've called him a pioneer of the possible.

In addition to being his biographer, Catherine Nixon Cook served as the president of Tom Slick's Mind Science Foundation.

In addition to being his biographer, Catherine Nixon Cook served as the president of Tom Slick's Mind Science Foundation.

When he was in the Himalayas, he met lamas who seemed to defy Western science. He saw monks levitate, and by that it's not the levitating you see in movies. It was more of a jumping just a few feet up, but nonetheless quite humanly impossible for you or me to do. He saw them raise and lower body temperature at will or simply through meditation. Saw feats of psychokinesis where things seemed to move without explanation, and came back and started his last institute, the Mind Science Foundation, to study these phenomena, wanting to study them though from a scientific.

When he was in the Himalayas, he met lamas who seemed to defy Western science. He saw monks levitate, and by that it's not the levitating you see in movies. It was more of a jumping just a few feet up, but nonetheless quite humanly impossible for you or me to do. He saw them raise and lower body temperature at will or simply through meditation. Saw feats of psychokinesis where things seemed to move without explanation, and came back and started his last institute, the Mind Science Foundation, to study these phenomena, wanting to study them though from a scientific.

Point of view. Though Tom Slick did study these mystical, unexplained occurrences. That is Mind Science Foundation Today. It's primary focus is on neuroscience research, using the technology and tools available to us in the twenty first century to explore the vast potential of the human mind.

Point of view. Though Tom Slick did study these mystical, unexplained occurrences. That is Mind Science Foundation Today. It's primary focus is on neuroscience research, using the technology and tools available to us in the twenty first century to explore the vast potential of the human mind.

Although the Mind Science Foundation focuses now on the neurosciences, not long ago it still studied a few of these mysteries that fascinated Tom Slick. Back in the nineteen nineties, we took a trip to Indonesia to study a keygong healer named Dynamo Jack. I personally saw him light a fire with his hands and pass a chopstick through a solid wooden table. We took the wooden table back to another of Tom's institute's, Southwest Research Institute to see if the table had been tampered with. It had not. The scientists there said, we simply don't understand energy.

Although the Mind Science Foundation focuses now on the neurosciences, not long ago it still studied a few of these mysteries that fascinated Tom Slick. Back in the nineteen nineties, we took a trip to Indonesia to study a keygong healer named Dynamo Jack. I personally saw him light a fire with his hands and pass a chopstick through a solid wooden table. We took the wooden table back to another of Tom's institute's, Southwest Research Institute to see if the table had been tampered with. It had not. The scientists there said, we simply don't understand energy.

Catherine told me the story when I was writing the scripts and the enigma surrounding Dynamo Jack and his mystifying capabilities informed the character of Lama as.

Catherine told me the story when I was writing the scripts and the enigma surrounding Dynamo Jack and his mystifying capabilities informed the character of Lama as.

Lightning.

Lightning.

Wow, this is unbelievable lighting when there's nothing around.

Wow, this is unbelievable lighting when there's nothing around.

But from what I've learned about Tom Slick, examining phenomenas like Dynamo Jack was less about exploring the mystery for him and more about a search for scientific understanding.

But from what I've learned about Tom Slick, examining phenomenas like Dynamo Jack was less about exploring the mystery for him and more about a search for scientific understanding.

He saw these as examples of human potential. Tom Slick believed that the human mind is the greatest unexplored frontier of all.

He saw these as examples of human potential. Tom Slick believed that the human mind is the greatest unexplored frontier of all.

For most of Tom Slick's life, the world was his frontier and science was his compass. And even after everything we've covered in this episode, there's still more we only touched on, like how he developed a new breed of cattle by crossbreeding the heat and insect resistant Indian Brama with the tastier Scottish Angus. Obviously, he named it the Brangus cattle. Or the construction method he innovated called the Lifts Lab, which was utilized to build Trinity University in San Antonio, a college he had a significant role in establishing. Tom Slick also had a great interest in understanding women's reproductive medicine and did pioneering research toward the creation of birth control and IVF, and in the nineteen fifties he launched an expedition to find a diamond pipeline in the Amazon and studied alternative medicine in the use of medicinal plants with shamanic healers oh An. Slick also had an extensive art collection which included Picasso, Joe O'Keefe and other prolific modern artists, which was an art form ahead of its time. Like the collector Tom Slick himself and we can't forget Slicks hunt for Bigfoot. He partnered on this expedition with his Yeti Hunt collaborator Peter burn and journeyed out west and through British Columbia. Burne pursued this mystery until his death in twenty twenty three. But Tom Slick's last big pursuit was so extraordinary it's hard to imagine. Here's Chuck Slick again.

For most of Tom Slick's life, the world was his frontier and science was his compass. And even after everything we've covered in this episode, there's still more we only touched on, like how he developed a new breed of cattle by crossbreeding the heat and insect resistant Indian Brama with the tastier Scottish Angus. Obviously, he named it the Brangus cattle. Or the construction method he innovated called the Lifts Lab, which was utilized to build Trinity University in San Antonio, a college he had a significant role in establishing. Tom Slick also had a great interest in understanding women's reproductive medicine and did pioneering research toward the creation of birth control and IVF, and in the nineteen fifties he launched an expedition to find a diamond pipeline in the Amazon and studied alternative medicine in the use of medicinal plants with shamanic healers oh An. Slick also had an extensive art collection which included Picasso, Joe O'Keefe and other prolific modern artists, which was an art form ahead of its time. Like the collector Tom Slick himself and we can't forget Slicks hunt for Bigfoot. He partnered on this expedition with his Yeti Hunt collaborator Peter burn and journeyed out west and through British Columbia. Burne pursued this mystery until his death in twenty twenty three. But Tom Slick's last big pursuit was so extraordinary it's hard to imagine. Here's Chuck Slick again.

He became very interested in what was probably the biggest challenge he could ever take on world peace in the time of the Cold War. He wrote two books about it. One was called The Last Great Hope and the other one was called Permanent Peace, and he spent a lot of time and money creating these peace conferences. They would have these experts in foreign affairs and diplomats and so on would come together and talk about how we could achieve world peace. And when he died, he left most of his estate to the foundations, but there was a proviso in his will that said some of his assets were supposed to be used quote to achieve world peace.

He became very interested in what was probably the biggest challenge he could ever take on world peace in the time of the Cold War. He wrote two books about it. One was called The Last Great Hope and the other one was called Permanent Peace, and he spent a lot of time and money creating these peace conferences. They would have these experts in foreign affairs and diplomats and so on would come together and talk about how we could achieve world peace. And when he died, he left most of his estate to the foundations, but there was a proviso in his will that said some of his assets were supposed to be used quote to achieve world peace.

Tom Slick Junior died on October sixth, nineteen sixty two, on his way back from a pheasant hunt in Calgary, Canada. He was a passenger and a Beachcraft Bananza thirty five that crashed in the mountains of Montana. Catherine Nixon Cook's book explains that the plane appeared to have gone to pieces in flight, possibly as a result of an explosion or lightning. Wreckage was strewn over a three quarter mile area, and Slick's body was found nearly a mile from the center of the crash site. Like his father, Tom Slick was only forty six when he died, but even death couldn't stop the great Tom Slick Junior.

Tom Slick Junior died on October sixth, nineteen sixty two, on his way back from a pheasant hunt in Calgary, Canada. He was a passenger and a Beachcraft Bananza thirty five that crashed in the mountains of Montana. Catherine Nixon Cook's book explains that the plane appeared to have gone to pieces in flight, possibly as a result of an explosion or lightning. Wreckage was strewn over a three quarter mile area, and Slick's body was found nearly a mile from the center of the crash site. Like his father, Tom Slick was only forty six when he died, but even death couldn't stop the great Tom Slick Junior.

Catherine, you help me come up with this idea of Slick living on another plane and being able to communicate with his granddaughter live in the podcast, who is a fictional character. But would the real Slick have believed this was possible working from the other side.

Catherine, you help me come up with this idea of Slick living on another plane and being able to communicate with his granddaughter live in the podcast, who is a fictional character. But would the real Slick have believed this was possible working from the other side.

He did say often to people that he thought he might find a way to work from the other side those very words. But remember he was a man who believed in science and the scientific method. So in the podcast, Tom Slick says to his granddaughter, does believing in something make it real?

He did say often to people that he thought he might find a way to work from the other side those very words. But remember he was a man who believed in science and the scientific method. So in the podcast, Tom Slick says to his granddaughter, does believing in something make it real?

I think it does.

I think it does.

Do you live in real life? Tom Slick did not think so. He was an optimist. He was a possibilist. He believed in possibilities and potential, but he had to see the scientific proof to know something was real.

Do you live in real life? Tom Slick did not think so. He was an optimist. He was a possibilist. He believed in possibilities and potential, but he had to see the scientific proof to know something was real.

Though Slick valued science and fact over a blind belief, he still pursued the unknown, hunting down answers to unexplainable mysteries, and even after everything we now know about Tom Slick, he still remains a bit of a mystery himself.

Though Slick valued science and fact over a blind belief, he still pursued the unknown, hunting down answers to unexplainable mysteries, and even after everything we now know about Tom Slick, he still remains a bit of a mystery himself.

When the bio containment lab opened at Texas BioMed more than a decade ago, there was silence as his sister, who was still alive, cut the red ribbon to the door of the bio containment lab. All of a sudden in the silence as the audience sat there, you heard a low hum of an airplane. Everyone looked up in the sky and there, flying low and slow was a vintage Beechcraft Bonanza, Tom Slick's type of plane, and I personally thought he was there celebrating the legacy of science that he saw living on.

When the bio containment lab opened at Texas BioMed more than a decade ago, there was silence as his sister, who was still alive, cut the red ribbon to the door of the bio containment lab. All of a sudden in the silence as the audience sat there, you heard a low hum of an airplane. Everyone looked up in the sky and there, flying low and slow was a vintage Beechcraft Bonanza, Tom Slick's type of plane, and I personally thought he was there celebrating the legacy of science that he saw living on.

Thank you for listening to Tom Slick Mystery Hunter, a podcast about the most interesting man you've now heard of, A real man who lived a legendary life.

Thank you for listening to Tom Slick Mystery Hunter, a podcast about the most interesting man you've now heard of, A real man who lived a legendary life.

I don't know if it really happened, but that's what they say. What a tale, that's right.

I don't know if it really happened, but that's what they say. What a tale, that's right.

This final episode of Tom Slick Mystery Hunter fact Verse Fiction was written and hosted by Me Caroline Slaughter, with production assistance from Amelia Brock, audio and score assembly by Noah Kamer. Were grateful to our guests for their perspectives, Charles Chuck, Slick, Catherine Nixon, Cook, Billy Kerr, Larry Schlessinger, and Adam Hamilton. Executive producers for the series include Owen Wilson, Sissy Spasic, Skuyler Fisk, Jeb Stewart, Brian Lavin, Elsie Crowley, Brandon Barr, Virginia Prescott, and Me Caroline slaughter,

This final episode of Tom Slick Mystery Hunter fact Verse Fiction was written and hosted by Me Caroline Slaughter, with production assistance from Amelia Brock, audio and score assembly by Noah Kamer. Were grateful to our guests for their perspectives, Charles Chuck, Slick, Catherine Nixon, Cook, Billy Kerr, Larry Schlessinger, and Adam Hamilton. Executive producers for the series include Owen Wilson, Sissy Spasic, Skuyler Fisk, Jeb Stewart, Brian Lavin, Elsie Crowley, Brandon Barr, Virginia Prescott, and Me Caroline slaughter,