These days hot air balloons are often thought of as anachronistic novelties -- but in the early days of aeronautics, they were considered fascinating, dangerous and deadly. In today's episode, the guys explore a strange story about a genuine riot during the dawn of ballooning, when an angry crowd protested the balloon they came to see... by literally tearing ... Show More
Apr 25
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 Golden Age of Piracy was a time of lawless, terrifying, at-times amazing and obje ... Show More
59m 13s
Apr 23
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 all successful pirates were dudes. In fact, as the guys discover in the second-p ... Show More
43m 33s
Apr 21
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 for a fascinating exploration of some of history's most ridiculous pirates. Stay t ... Show More
39m 4s
Feb 2023
Up And Away In My Beautiful Spy Balloon
In early February, 2023, the US shot down a Chinese balloon. The US says the balloon was gathering intelligence while the Chinese claimed it was a weather balloon. We look at the history of spy balloons and how they've evolved over time, as well as the dilemma these balloons put ... Show More
49m 25s
Jul 2023
Bedtime Stories: The Hot Air Balloon and the Cotton Candy Castle🪂
Something incredible is about to happen in Small Town! The Hot Air Balloon Festival is right around the corner, and it's going to be a spectacle like no other. 🎈✨
Imagine a sky filled with hot air balloons of every color, shape, and size! Rockets, airplanes, and even characte ... Show More
8m 13s
May 2023
Listener Mail: Spy Balloons Have a "Season," A Temporal Tizzy, and What Happens When Banks Fail
Flummoxed calls in to report a baffling temporal tizzy. A fellow Conspiracy Realist asks what happens when banks fail. Balloon Boy writes in with an astonishing revelation about high-altitude science and spy balloons: it turns out they have a season, and that season is coming thi ... Show More
48m 7s