Duchess of Decadence: Georgiana

Mary Elizabeth Lease was a progressive political activist who fought big business, worked on behalf of the common man, and believed strongly in the importance of third parties in the U.S. political system. But there are also some really problematic parts of her story and ideology. Research: Barnes, Donna A. “Farmers’ Alliance.” Texas State Historical Association. Jan. 1 1995. https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/farmers-alliance Bauer, Pat. "Farmers’ Alliance". Encyclopedia Britannica, 12 Sep. 2019, https://www.britannica.com/topic/Farmers-Alliance Bentson, Sarah. “Mary Elizabeth Lease.” March 1, 2022. “Bryan’s Cross of Gold and the Partisan Battle over Economic Policy.” University of Virginia, Miller Center. https://millercenter.org/bryans-cross-gold-and-partisan-battle-over-economic-policy#:~:text=On%20this%20day%20in%201896,silver%20standard%20for%20U.S.%20currency “Concerning a Mortgage.” New York Times. Aug. 11, 1896. https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1896/08/11/103382098.pdf?pdf_redirect=true&ip=0 “Farmers and Laborers.” Daily Kansas People. Aug. 13, 1890. https://www.newspapers.com/image/477977710/?match=1&terms=%22mary%20e.%20lease%22%20divorce “Furor Over Mary Lease.” New York Times. Aug. 11, 1896. https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1896/08/11/103382074.pdf?pdf_redirect=true&ip=0 Harper, Ida Husted. “THE LIFE AND WORK OF SUSAN B. ANTHONY, Vol. II.” Bowen-Merrill. 1898. Accessed online: https://www.gutenberg.org/files/31125/31125-h/31125-h.htm “Ingalls Knocked Out.” Daily Alta California. Dec. 7, 1890. https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=DAC18901207.2.2.4&e=-------en--20--1--txt-txIN-------- Lease, Mary Elizabeth. “The Problem of Civilization Solved.” 1895. Accessed online: https://digital.lib.niu.edu/islandora/object/niu-gildedage%3A24027/print_object “Mary Lease Dead; Long Dry Agitator.” New York Times. Oct. 30, 1933. https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1933/10/30/105813706.pdf?pdf_redirect=true&ip=0 “Mrs. Lease Is Not In It.” Akron Evening Times. Jan.5 , 1893. https://www.newspapers.com/image/228089290/?match=1&terms=%22mary%20e.%20lease%22%20supreme%20court McLeRoy, Sherrie S. “Lease, Mary Elizabeth Clyens (1853–1933).” Texas State Historical Association. Handbook of Texas Women. https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/lease-mary-elizabeth-clyens “Mrs. Mary Lease Removed From Office.” New York Times. July 7, 1895. https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1895/07/07/105980959.html?pageNumber=1 Orr, Brooke Speer. “The ‘People’s Joan of Arc’: Mary Elizabeth Lease, Gendered Politics and Populist Party Politics in Gilded-Age America (American University Studies Book 14) .” Peter Lang Inc., International Academic Publishers. 2014. Kindle edition. Press, Donald E. “Kansas Conflict: Populist Versus Railroader in the 1890's.” Kansas Historical Quarterlies. Autum, 1977. Vol. 43, No. 3. https://www.kancoll.org/khq/1977/77_3_dpress.htm#Ref42 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

6 Jan 35min

This 2021 episode covers G.J. Griffith, who today is associated with the Los Angeles park and the observatory. But during his time, Griffith was associated with other things: real estate, social climbing, and a horrifying domestic abuse scandal.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

4 Jan 32min

Holly and Tracy talk about sewing machines in their lives. Tracy talks about how she thought hangover research would be easy, but it turned out to be quite challenging. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

3 Jan 28min

Humans probably started fermenting things on purpose by about 10,000 BCE. But when did they start discussing the aftereffects that come from drinking too much? Research: · Beringer, Guy. “Brunch: a plea.” Harper's Weekly, 1895. https://archive.org/details/archive_charlyj_001 · Bishop-Stall, Shaughnessy. “Hung Over: The Morning After and One Man’s Quest for the Cure.” Penguin Books. 2018. · Bishop-Stall, Shaughnessy. “Weird Hangover Cures Through the Ages.” Lit Hub. 11/20/2018. https://lithub.com/weird-hangover-cures-through-the-ages/ · Brewer, Ebenezer Cobham. “The reader's handbook of allusions, references, plots and stories; with two appendices;.” https://archive.org/details/readershandb00brew/page/957/ · Danovich, Tove. “The Weird and Wonderful History of Hangover Cures.” 12/31/2015. https://www.eater.com/2015/12/31/10690384/hangover-cure-history · Dean, Sam. “How to Say 'Hangover' in French, German, Finnish, and Many Other Languages.” Bon Appetit. 12/28/2012. https://www.bonappetit.com/test-kitchen/ingredients/article/how-to-say-hangover-in-french-german-finnish-and-many-other-languages · Frazer, Sir James George. “The Golden Bough : a study of magic and religion.” https://www.gutenberg.org/files/3623/3623-h/3623-h.htm#c3section1 · “'Hair of the Dog that Bit you' in Dog, N. (1), Sense P.6.” Oxford English Dictionary, Oxford UP, September 2024, https://doi.org/10.1093/OED/6646229330. · “Hangover, N., Sense 2.” Oxford English Dictionary, Oxford UP, July 2023, https://doi.org/10.1093/OED/3221323975. · Hanson, David J. “Historical evolution of alcohol consumption in society.” From Alcohol: Science, Policy and Public Health. Peter Boyle, ed. Oxford University Press. 2013. · “Jag, N. (2), Sense 1.c.” Oxford English Dictionary, Oxford UP, June 2024, https://doi.org/10.1093/OED/3217891040. · MacDonald, James. “The Weird Ways Humans Have Tried Curing Hangovers.” JSTOR Daily. 1/25/2016. https://daily.jstor.org/weird-ways-humans-tried-curing-hangovers/ · Nasser, Mervat. “Psychiatry in Ancient Egypt.” Bulletin of the Royal College of Psychiatrists. Vol. 11. December 1987. · Office of Communications, Princeton University. “Desires for fatty foods and alcohol share a chemical trigger.” 12/15/2004. https://pr.princeton.edu/news/04/q4/1215-galanin.htm · O'Reilly, Jean. “No convincing scientific evidence that hangover cures work, according to new research.” Via EurekAlert. https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/938938 · Paulsen, Frank M. “A Hair of the Dog and Some Other Hangover Cures from Popular Tradition.” The Journal of American Folklore , Apr. - Jun., 1961, Vol. 74, No. 292 (Apr. - Jun., 1961). Via JSTOR. https://www.jstor.org/stable/537784 · Pittler, Max, et al. “Interventions For Preventing Or Treating Alcohol Hangover: Systematic Review Of Randomised Controlled Trials.” BMJ: British Medical Journal , Dec. 24 - 31, 2005, Vol. 331, No. 7531 (Dec. 24 - 31, 2005). https://www.jstor.org/stable/25455748 · Shears, Jonathon. “The Hangover: A Literary & Cultural History.” Liverpool University Press. 2020. Suddath, Claire. “A Brief History of Hangovers.” Time. 1/1/2009. https://time.com/3958046/history-of-hangovers/ · Van Huygen, Meg. “15 Historical Hangover Cures.” Mental Floss. 12/30/2016. · Weinberg, Caroline. “The Science of Hangovers.” Eater. 12/31/2015. https://www.eater.com/drinks/2015/12/31/10685644/hangover-cures-how-to-prevent-hungover · Wills, Matthew. “Treating Wounds With Magic.” JSTOR Daily. 9/14/2019. https://daily.jstor.org/treating-wounds-with-magic/ · Wurdz, Gideon. “The Foolish Dictionary: An Exhausting Work of Reference to Un-certain English Words, Their Origin, Meaning, Legitimate and Illegitimate Use, Confused by a Few Pictures.” Robinson, Luce Company. 1904. https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=71QYAAAAYAAJ&rdid=book-71QYAAAAYAAJ&rdot=1 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

1 Jan 42min

A lot of sewing techniques being taught and used today came from the mind of one innovator: Helen Blanchard. She held 28 patents, most related to sewing, and she shaped the way the garment industry functioned. Research: “1854 – Walter Hunt’s Patent Model of a Sewing Machine.” Smithsonian. National Museum of American History. https://americanhistory.si.edu/collections/object/nmah_1070410 “1873 - Helen A. Blanchard's Sewing machine Patent Model (buttonhole).” Smithsonian. National Museum of American History. https://www.si.edu/object/1873-helen-blanchards-sewing-machine-patent-model-buttonhole%3Anmah_1069711 “A Woman’s Pluck.” The Portland Daily Press. Aug. 24, 1886. https://www.newspapers.com/image/875134248/?match=1&terms=%22Helen%20A.%20blanchard%22 Blanchard, Helen A. “Improvement in Sewing Machines.” USPO. Aug. 19, 1873. https://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/11/99/2a/c5331644eba132/US141987.pdf Blanchard, Helen A. “IMPROVEMENT IN ELASTIC GORINGS FOR SHOES.” USPO. Sept. 14, 1875. https://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/e4/91/7f/d5eca5e95653b8/US167732.pdf Blanchard, Helen A. “IMPROVEMENT IN ELASTIC SEAMS FOR GARMENTS.” USPO. April 13, 1875. https://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/22/f6/ab/176ada1cf78526/US162019.pdf Blanchard, Helen. A. “Surgical Needle.” USPO. Oct. 9, 1894. https://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/55/6a/29/283ec2c85e7b0d/US527263.pdf Blanchard, Helen A. “Improvement in Welted and Covered Seams.” USPO. Aug. 19, 1875. https://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/7b/34/59/3e6a0f48970df6/US174764.pdf Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. "panic." Encyclopedia Britannica, 10 Apr. 2020, https://www.britannica.com/money/panic-economics DiPhilippo, Kathryn Onos. “Window on the Past – Local Women in History: Helen Blanchard.” Portland Herald. June 24, 2020. https://www.pressherald.com/2020/06/24/window-on-the-past-6/#:~:text=Around%201881%2C%20Helen%20and%20Louise%20Blanchard%20started,own%20company%2C%20the%20Blanchard%20Overseam%20Machine%20Company. “Helen A. Blanchard has filed …” The Philadelphia Inquirer. Dec. 23, 1900. https://www.newspapers.com/image/168365258/?match=1&terms=%22Helen%20A.%20blanchard%22 “Helen Blanchard: Sewing Machine Improvements.” Lemelson-MIT. https://lemelson.mit.edu/resources/helen-blanchard “Helen Blanchard - Zig-Zag Sewing Machine.” National Inventors Hall of Fame. https://www.invent.org/inductees/helen-blanchard Herzberg, Rudolph, tr. By Upfield Green. “The Sewing machine: Its History, Construction, and Application.” London. E. & F.N. Spon. 1864. https://archive.org/details/sewingmachineit00herzgoog “Miss Helen Blanchard … “ Portland Sunday Telegraph. Dec. 3, 1899. https://www.newspapers.com/image/846596628/?match=1&terms=%22Helen%20A.%20blanchard%22 “Motor and Lumber Companies Incorporated.” Boston Evening Transcript. May 09, 1900. https://www.newspapers.com/image/735352621/?match=1&terms=%22Helen%20A.%20blanchard%22 “NO AUCTION SALE.” Portland Sunday Telegram. Jan 31, 1915. https://www.newspapers.com/image/846796566/?match=1&terms=%22Helen%20A.%20blanchard%22 “The Portland Advertiser states … “ Bangor Daily Whig and Courier. Jul. 09, 1853. https://www.newspapers.com/image/663005747/?match=1&terms=thomas%20knight%20shipyard%20fire Stanley, Autumn. “Mothers and Daughters of Invention.” Rutgers University Press. 1995. “Superior Court.” The Portland Daily Press. Dec 22, 1900. https://www.newspapers.com/image/875209480/?match=1&terms=%22Helen%20A.%20blanchard%22 Willard, Frances Elizabeth. “A Woman of the Century.” Moulton. January 1893. Accessed online: https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=zXEEAAAAYAAJ&rdid=book-zXEEAAAAYAAJ&rdot=1 “Woman Inventor Was Last of an Old Time Family.” Evening Express. Jan 13, 1922. https://www.newspapers.com/image/851331069/?article=4c97fcf5-4fbc-4149-8dc4-4160e6411049 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

30 Dec 202436min

This 2019 episode covers F.W. Murnau, most well known for directing the first vampire film. But the German-born creator went on to make a number of influential films before his early death.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

28 Dec 202432min

Tracy and Holly discuss the seasonal nature of pumpkin spice, and medicinal uses of nutmeg. They then talk about artificial versus real Christmas trees.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

27 Dec 202430min

This episode looks at the early days of Christmas trees, the origin of glass ornaments, and the practice of mounting lit candles on trees before electric bulbs were invented. Research: · “36 Perish as Party Guests Stampede to Flee Flames.” The Minneapolis Star. Dec 25, 1924. https://www.newspapers.com/image/178762039/ · “Accident From a Christmas Tree.” The Morning Post. Jan 11, 1850. https://www.newspapers.com/image/402121758/?match=1&terms=%22christmas%20tree%22%20Victoria · Barnes, Allison. “The First Christmas Tree. History Today. December 12, 2006. https://www.historytoday.com/archive/history-matters/first-christmas-tree · Brittain, J. E. "John R. Crouse and the Society for Electrical Development [Scanning the Past]." Proceedings of the IEEE, vol. 86, no. 12, pp. 2475-2477, Dec. 1998. https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/735455 · Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. "Woolworth Co.." Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 Nov. 2024, https://www.britannica.com/money/Woolworth-Co · “A Christmas tree candle set fire … “ The Jersey City News. Jan. 9, 1892. https://www.newspapers.com/image/856106974/?match=1&terms=christmas%20tree%20candles%20fire · Coleridge, Samuel Taylor, and Ernest Hartley Coleridge, ed. “LETTERS OFSAMUEL TAYLOR COLERIDGE.” London. William Heinemann. 1895. Accessed online: https://gutenberg.org/files/44553/44553-h/44553-h.htm · Flander, Judith. “Christmas: A Biography.” Thomas Dunne Books. 2017. · Foyle, Jonathan. “The Business of Baubles – and the Town That Invented Them.” Financial Times. Dec. 19, 2014. https://www.ft.com/content/ce33a468-812a-11e4-b956-00144feabdc0 · “Glass Christmas Ornaments.” The German Way. https://www.german-way.com/history-and-culture/holidays-and-celebrations/christmas/glass-christmas-ornaments/ · Loud, Nicholas. “The History of Christmas Decorations in America.” Saturday Evening Post. December 2020. https://www.saturdayeveningpost.com/2020/12/the-history-of-christmas-decorations-in-america/ · Lorch, Mark. “The Forgotten Scientist Who Made Modern Christmas Ornaments Possible.” Fast Company. Dec. 21, 2021. https://www.fastcompany.com/90707875/the-forgotten-scientist-who-made-modern-christmas-ornaments-possible · Malanowski, Jamie. “Untangling the History of Christmas Lights.” Smithsonian. December 2016. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/untangling-history-christmas-lights-180961140/ · “No Christmas Tree Fires Are Reported Here.” Alton Evening Telegraph. Dec. 28. 1921. https://www.newspapers.com/image/19919324/?match=1&terms=christmas%20tree%20candles%20fire · “A few years ago the caution …” Daily Plainsman. Dec. 12, 1929. https://www.newspapers.com/image/23432095/?match=1&terms=christmas%20tree%20candles%20fire · “Christmas Tree Candles – Fire.” The Courier-Journal of Louisville. Jan. 05, 1909. https://www.newspapers.com/image/119330231/?match=1&terms=christmas%20tree%20candles%20fire · “The Christmas Tree at Windsor Castle.” The Morning Post. Dec. 28, 1848. https://www.newspapers.com/image/402196932/?match=1&terms=%22christmas%20tree%22%20Victoria · “Feiker Takes Commerce Post.” New York Times. July 2, 1931. https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1931/07/02/113339929.pdf?pdf_redirect=true&ip=0 · “German Hospital, Dalston.” The Morning Post. Jan. 1, 1848. https://www.newspapers.com/image/402129709/?match=1&terms=%22christmas%20tree%22%20Victoria · Prior, Dr. M. Faye. “Trimming the Tree – Glass and metal Christmas tree decorations.” York Museum Trust. https://www.yorkmuseumstrust.org.uk/blog/trimming-the-tree-glass-and-metal-christmas-tree-decorations/ · Roberts, Sam. “Si Spiegel, War Hero Who Modernized Christmas Trees, Dies at 99.” New York Times. Feb. 11, 2024. · Scinto, Madeleine. “Americans Are Spending A Whopping $6 Billion On Christmas Decorations This Year.” Business Insider. Dec. 7, 2011. https://www.businessinsider.com/americans-are-spending-a-record-6-billion-on-christmas-decorations-2011-12 · Shapiro, Laurie Gwen. “He Bombed the Nazis, Outwitted the Soviets and Modernized Christmas.” New York Times. Dec. 17, 2021. https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/17/nyregion/bomber-pilot-christmas-trees.html · Tikkanen, Amy. "How Did the Tradition of Christmas Trees Start? ". Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Dec. 2022, https://www.britannica.com/story/how-did-the-tradition-of-christmas-trees-start · Waxman, Olivia B. “How Christmas Trees Became a Holiday Tradition.” TIME. Dec. 21, 2020. https://time.com/5736523/history-of-christmas-trees/ · Waxman, Olivia B. “The Electricity Lobby Was Behind the First National Christmas Tree Lighting.” TIME. Dec. 1, 2016. https://time.com/4580764/national-christmas-tree-lighting-history-origins/ · Waxman, Olivia B. “This Was the First Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree.” TIME. Nov. 30, 2016. https://time.com/4578685/first-rockefeller-center-christmas-tree-lighting/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

25 Dec 202437min