A weekly history based podcast where we discuss lesser known moments from the past, or shine a new light on famous events, in our own distinctive British way.
Episodes
Wednesday Dec 05, 2018
Wednesday Dec 05, 2018
Over a couple of months late in 1888, Jack the Ripper terrorised Whitechapel in London, murdering 5 (or possibly 6) victims. This week Matt counts down the top suspects of the Ripper Case. Some could have done it, others definitely not, but we delve deep into the case, including looking at one suspect who said “I am Jack the…” before he died.
We also struggle with some very basic math and argue the reality of shortening the name John to Jack. As always check out our social medias below.
Twitter: @IdiotHistoryPod
Facebook: @IdiotsTalkHistory Instagram: @IdiotsTalkHistory
Email: IdiotHistoryPod@gmail.com
Individual Twitters: @MattSingleton17 @lornabarryy
Wednesday Nov 28, 2018
Wednesday Nov 28, 2018
This week's episode is a crazy one, focusing on Ken Kesey and The Merry Pranksters. Matt reports on Ken and his group of friends who were experimenting with LSD and bought a bus in 1964 to travel across the USA. Inspired by the Beat Generation and prior to the psychedelic generation of the later 1960s this group were just trying to create a life and future for themselves. It's a fascinating story which has been documented in film and books, which we mention on the pod.
We also end up with new nicknames; Matt Magnificent and Lorna Barely Visible.
Twitter: @IdiotHistoryPod
Facebook: @IdiotsTalkHistory Instagram: @IdiotsTalkHistory
Email: IdiotHistoryPod@gmail.com
Individual Twitters: @MattSingleton17 @lornabarryy
Wednesday Nov 21, 2018
Wednesday Nov 21, 2018
This week Lorna talks us through the scramble for gold on America's west coast in the late 1840s. Thousands of Americans headed west to try their luck at striking gold.
We discuss the main players, as well as the impact of immigration, the big winners of the rush, and even a new Californian delicacy.
As always we are full of half remembered facts and anecdotes.
Enjoy!
Twitter: @IdiotHistoryPod
Facebook: @IdiotsTalkHistory Instagram: @IdiotsTalkHistory
Email: IdiotHistoryPod@gmail.com
Individual Twitters: @MattSingleton17 @lornabarryy
Wednesday Nov 14, 2018
Wednesday Nov 14, 2018
It has been 100 years since the end of the First World War, so this week Lorna reports on a little known aspect of life on the frontline. We speak about the role of carrier pigeons and other animals during the battles of WWI.
It’s an unusual topic, with pigeons named President Wilson and Cher Ami, and even a pig on a ship.
Twitter: @IdiotHistoryPod
Facebook: @IdiotsTalkHistory Instagram: @IdiotsTalkHistory
Email: IdiotHistoryPod@gmail.com
Individual Twitters: @MattSingleton17 @lornabarryy
Wednesday Nov 07, 2018
Wednesday Nov 07, 2018
The report this week focuses on Elizabeth “Lizzie” Magie and a truly hidden story from history. We all know the world-famous board game Monopoly, but do we really know the story behind it? The official story is a rags to riches story: Charles Darrow, unemployed and out of money, dreamt up the unique game that went on to be a mega hit. In reality, a fascinating woman named Lizzie Magie had a major part to play in the story 30 years earlier. This is the story of Monopoly!
Twitter: @IdiotHistoryPod
Facebook: @IdiotsTalkHistory Instagram: @IdiotsTalkHistory
Email: IdiotHistoryPod@gmail.com
Individual Twitters: @MattSingleton17 @lornabarryy
Wednesday Oct 31, 2018
Wednesday Oct 31, 2018
Happy Halloween! This week we have a real treat for you, with an episode focused on the origins of Halloween. Specifically Lorna discusses the ancient Celtic Samhain Festival which marked the end of Summer and the harvest, and marked the beginning of Winter. At the time boundaries between this world and the underworld became thin and therefore Celts would protect themselves from Demons and Fairies.
Twitter: @IdiotHistoryPod
Facebook: @IdiotsTalkHistory Instagram: @IdiotsTalkHistory
Email: IdiotHistoryPod@gmail.com
Individual Twitters: @MattSingleton17 @lornabarryy
Wednesday Oct 24, 2018
Wednesday Oct 24, 2018
We're back this week with another episode on a pioneering woman. This week it's Mary Anning, an avid fossil collector, who lived in the 19th century. She was a revolutionary woman in palaeontology, and was the first to discover three huge dinosaurs. Her findings are truly fascinating! Listen out for Matt's terrible jokes which are back this episode, and also Lorna getting all of her words mixed up.
To finish we also discuss some significant archaeological finds in history, very interesting stuff!
Twitter: @IdiotHistoryPod
Facebook: @IdiotsTalkHistory Instagram: @IdiotsTalkHistory
Email: IdiotHistoryPod@gmail.com
Individual Twitters: @MattSingleton17 @lornabarryy
Wednesday Oct 17, 2018
Wednesday Oct 17, 2018
This week the focus is on pioneering women of early cinema. Many female visionaries have been overlooked in the history books, including the two at the centre of our podcast today.
Matt reports on the incredible Mabel Normand, an early comedy genius. She is accredited with many firsts in the history of cinema, and was a major force in comedy in Hollywood at the start of the twentieth century.
Lorna then reports on Alice Guy-Blaché, the first female director, who really paved the path for so many incredible talents after her. She created over 700 films, and like Normand, Guy-Blaché destroyed the barriers placed in front of her, leaving an incredible legacy.
Mabel Normand will be featured in the BFI’s Comedy Genius season of events. More information can be found here: https://www.bfi.org.uk/comedy-genius
A film about Guy-Blaché (Be Natural: The Untold Story of Alice Guy-Blaché) is currently playing at the London Film Festival. See more information here: https://whatson.bfi.org.uk/lff/Online/default.asp
Twitter: @IdiotHistoryPod
Facebook: @IdiotsTalkHistory Instagram: @IdiotsTalkHistory
Email: IdiotHistoryPod@gmail.com
Individual Twitters: @MattSingleton17 @lornabarryy
Wednesday Oct 10, 2018
Wednesday Oct 10, 2018
We turn our attention to two very different stories this week. Both however are linked via a common thread: humans’ interactions with animals.
Lorna tells the tale of Old Tom, the orca who actually helped hunters catch whales in the port of Eden, Australia.
Matt then reports on the so-called Wolfman of Sierra Morena. A young boy left in the wild to fend for himself, found himself befriended by wolves and snakes.
As always we spout a whole host of nonsense intermittently. A main task for this week was creating fitting nicknames.
Twitter: @IdiotHistoryPod
Facebook: @IdiotsTalkHistory Instagram: @IdiotsTalkHistory
Email: IdiotHistoryPod@gmail.com
Wednesday Oct 03, 2018
Wednesday Oct 03, 2018
Lorna reports on the fascinating tale of the 220 year search for a treasure buried deep beneath the dirt of Oak Island. The tiny peanut-shaped isle off the shore of Nova Scotia has become the home to one of the great unsolved mysteries of our time. It’s a story that includes an American President, a French Queen, the Holy Grail and even a Secret Society! And as usual, we think we’ve solved it!
We Google a lot today which is always the sign of a professional episode!
Twitter: @IdiotHistoryPod
Facebook: @IdiotsTalkHistory Instagram: @IdiotsTalkHistory
Email: IdiotHistoryPod@gmail.com
Individual Twitters: @MattSingleton17 @lornabarryy