De Koven, Weidmann, and Public Execution in France (Pt. 1)

Today we have a series of prank stories that aren’t quite substantial enough to be their own episodes. We’ve got a joke that became a living legend, a large-scale prank that created havoc, and a telev...

1 Dec 202135min

Levy was recognized as an extraordinary literary talent of the 1880s. But after her tragic early death, she receded into the background of history.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.ih...

29 Nov 202137min

This 2013 episode covers the taxidermist Potter, who had preserved and mounted 98 birds by the time he was 19. In 1880, his work had grown to a point where it had to be moved to a building, which beca...

27 Nov 202138min

Holly and Tracy discuss Perkin's idealism, and how many things in their lives are impacted by his work. Then they discuss "Who killed Cock Robin?' and Tracy's fascination with it as a child. Learn m...

26 Nov 202115min

Today’s episode is the next installment of our Six Impossible Episodes series, and our second one on nursery rhymes. This one explores the historical context of Jack and Jill, London Bridge, Cock Robi...

24 Nov 202133min

For Perkin, the creation of the first synthetic dye was the beginning of a career that combined chemistry and business to great success. And he got to see the world of industry change in response to h...

22 Nov 202134min

This 2014 episode covers how pigments and dyes have historically come from all manner of animals, vegetables and minerals. From ochre to cochineal red to the rarest of purples, color has been an impor...

20 Nov 202122min

Tracy talks about the coincidences she encountered while researching this week's episodes. Talk then turns to how complicated Ida Tarbell's story is. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www....

19 Nov 20219min