Did Pirates Really Ruin the US Dream of the Metric System?

Did Pirates Really Ruin the US Dream of the Metric System?

Why is the United States so culturally opposed to the metric system? According to a popular legend, this conundrum dates back to the late 1700s, when a French polymath named Joseph Dombey sailed to Thomas Jefferson with two crucial artifacts: a rod measuring exactly one meter, and a copper cylinder weighing one kilogram, set to bring the new nation a system of rational measurement. As the story goes, British privateers waylaid Dombey. Stole his artifacts, unsuccessfully ransomed him, and the poor nerd died in captivity without ever meeting Jefferson. As a result, the US remains metric-shy in the modern day. However: this legend, based in fact, may not be the story entire. In today's episode, Ben, Noel and Max explore the Ridiculous History of our country's long-standing aversion to a genuinely good idea.

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Episoder(1001)

When Did We All Start Saying "Bulls*t"?

When Did We All Start Saying "Bulls*t"?

Heads-up, fellow Ridiculous Historians: this is an explicit episode, and maynot be appropriate for all audiences. It's no secret that Ben, Noel and Max are huge fans of etymology -- and there's one wo...

28 Apr 39min

CLASSIC: New Providence: That Time Pirates Had A Government

CLASSIC: New Providence: That Time Pirates Had A Government

Fellow Ridiculous Historians, we just returned from the beautiful Baha Mar resort, and we're going through a pirate phase. So, naturally, we have to share an hilarious Classic episode: the so-called G...

25 Apr 59min

The Ridiculous Truth About Pirates, Chapter Two: History's Most Successful Pirate Was A Woman

The Ridiculous Truth About Pirates, Chapter Two: History's Most Successful Pirate Was A Woman

Live from the beautiful Baha Mar resort, Ben, Noel, Max and returning guest Matt dive into popular misconceptions about pirates. First, piracy was by no means restricted to the Caribbean. Second, not ...

23 Apr 43min

The Ridiculous Truth About Pirates, Chapter One: The Caribbean

The Ridiculous Truth About Pirates, Chapter One: The Caribbean

Fellow Ridiculous Historians, Ben, Noel and Max are back on their pirate obsession. In this special two-part series live from the legendary Baha Mar, the guys welcome returning guest Matt Frederick fo...

21 Apr 39min

CLASSIC: Teddy Roosevelt May Just Have Saved Modern (American) Football

CLASSIC: Teddy Roosevelt May Just Have Saved Modern (American) Football

In recent years the public has become increasingly aware of the long-term dangers posed by sports injuries -- but at the turn of the 20th century this wasn't the case. Football players didn't wear pro...

17 Apr 24min

Eurovision, Chapter Two: Pop Music as Problematic Diplomacy

Eurovision, Chapter Two: Pop Music as Problematic Diplomacy

Now, we know this is going to sound weird, but... it turns out one of the world's most popular pop music contests is also one of the world's best examples of 'soft diplomacy'. So what happens when cou...

16 Apr 44min

Eurovision, Chapter One: A Ridiculous Origin Story -- and A Smash Success

Eurovision, Chapter One: A Ridiculous Origin Story -- and A Smash Success

The Eurovision Song Contest is one of the most popular talent shows on the planet, with multiple countries showcasing their culture through pop music spectacles in an effort to win the day. Some of th...

14 Apr 42min

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

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

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 pop...

11 Apr 31min

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