Harrison G. Dyar, Jr. is known today largely as a hobby tunneler. But he was also an influential entomologist, and his personal life was much more convoluted than any tunnel he ever dug.
Jan 28
George Stephenson, Father of Railways
George Stephenson started life in extremely humble circumstances, but his ingenuity and pursuit of education led him to an impressive legacy. He invented a miner’s lamp, but is most well known for his work on locomotives and railways. Research: “George Stephenson (1781-1848).” ht ... Show More
44m 9s
Dec 2024
James P. Watson: The Bluebeard Killer
<p>When Kathryn Wombacher suspected her husband, Walter Andrew, of having an affair in the spring of 1920, she hired a private detective to follow him on one of his many “out-of-town” trips that he’d taken in their short marriage. However, rather than follow Walter out of town, t ... Show More
57m 1s
Feb 2025
623. Can New York City Win Its War on Rats?
<p>Even with a new rat czar, an arsenal of poisons, and a fleet of new garbage trucks, it won’t be easy — because, at root, the enemy is us. (Part two of <a href="https://freakonomics.com/podcast-tag/sympathy-for-the-rat/">a three-part series</a>, “Sympathy for the Rat.”)</p><p> ... Show More
50m 23s
Mar 2025
Jean Harris and the Murder of Herman Tarnower (Part 2)
<p>When Jean Harris met Herman Tarnower in the winter of 1966, she quickly fell in love the charming doctor. Having just come out of a disappointing twenty-year marriage, Harris was desperate to find the love and stimulating partnership she’d long dreamed of, and believed she’d f ... Show More
52m 49s
Feb 2025
The Unsolved Murder of Jeannette DePalma
<p>On the afternoon of August 7, 1972, sixteen-year-old Jeannette DePalma left her house in Springfield, NJ and was never seen alive again. Six weeks later, Jeannette’s remains were discovered when a neighborhood dog returned to its owner at a newly built apartment complex, carry ... Show More
1h 17m
Mar 2025
Jean Harris and the Murder of Herman Tarnower (Part 1)
<p>When Jean Harris met Herman Tarnower in the winter of 1966, she quickly fell in love the charming doctor. Having just come out of a disappointing twenty-year marriage, Harris was desperate to find the love and stimulating partnership she’d long dreamed of, and believed she’d f ... Show More
1h 23m
Sep 2025
The Horrific Crimes of the Aspirin Bandit
<p>On February 4, 1941, Bronx police officers were called to the home of John and Catherine Pappas for a report of a homicide. Based on the evidence, detectives theorized that someone had been invited into the Pappas apartment while Catherine was home alone and that same someone ... Show More
59m 22s
Mar 2019
R. Kelly Interview, New Depression Treatment & Ash Wednesday - Wednesday, March 6th, 2019
The news to know for Wednesday, March 6th, 2019! Today, we're talking about R. Kelly's first (and emotional) interview since he was charged with sexual abuse last month, and a new record at the U.S.-Mexico border. Plus: what to know about the measles vaccines, the first depressio ... Show More
7m 26s