One popular sci-fi trope is invasion by alien “bugs” – microscopic organisms from other worlds that could harm life on Earth. But scientists also are concerned about things working the other way around: Earth bugs contaminating other planets. So landers are sterilized to prevent them from carrying any hitchhikers. And when the life of an orbiter en…

Star clusters are packed with stars, but not with planets. So far, only a few dozen of the more than 5600 confirmed exoplanets have been found in clusters. And two of those orbit a single star, in the Beehive Cluster. The dearth of planets could simply mean that planets are hard to find. Only a small fraction of the stars in the Milky Way Galaxy re…

No matter which system you go by, the names of the two brightest stars of Gemini aren’t quite right. In mythology, the stars are named Pollux and Castor. They represent a pair of twin half-brothers. They had the same mother, but one had a mortal father, while the other was the son of Zeus, the king of the gods of Olympus. But the stars don’t look l…

When a delivery truck drops off its final package of the day, it isn’t abandoned – it’s prepped for more deliveries the next day. And it’s the same thing with several spacecraft. After delivering their main cargo, they’ve been given new missions – new addresses to check out. The list has included three craft that delivered samples to Earth – bits o…

Giant spiders crawl around the walls of an ancient city on Mars. And if that doesn’t sound like the plot of a bad movie, then what does? It turns out, though, that this plot is true – in a way. The “city” consists of walls of volcanic rock or hardened sand. And the “spiders” are explosions of dark dust from below the surface. The region is called I…

The Moon and three other bright lights form a beautiful diamond in tomorrow’s dawn sky. Going clockwise from the Moon, the points of the diamond are the planet Jupiter, which is the brightest of the three; the planet Mars; and the star Elnath, the tip of one of the horns of Taurus. The Sun illuminates about a third of the side of the Moon that’s fa…

The Sun has been feisty this year. It’s produced some monster storms that have pelted Earth with radiation and charged particles. That’s disrupted some communications, air travel, and other daily activities. There’s evidence that the Sun has been much feistier in centuries past. If such major outbursts happened today, they could be really bad for m…

Stars aren’t always what they seem. Consider the two brightest stars of Lyra. The constellation’s leading light is Vega. It looks 20 times brighter than the second-ranked star, Sulafat. But that’s only because Vega’s much closer. If you lined them up at the same distance, Sulafat would look 60 times brighter than Vega. The difference is caused by t…

In the early 20th century, much of the world had “Mars fever.” Percival Lowell had mapped what he called “canals” on Mars, built by a dying civilization. H.G. Wells published “War of the Worlds,” about a Martian invasion. Inventor Nicola Tesla reported hearing possible signals from Mars. So there was a lot of interest in the Red Planet. In 1901, Ri…

Army and Navy radio stations around the world had something extra to listen for 100 years ago this week: Mars. The Red Planet was passing closer to Earth than it had in centuries. A retired astronomer thought that Martians might take advantage of the encounter to beam greetings to the neighbors. So he organized an effort to hear the transmissions. …

Get ready to laugh your pants off in this hilarious episode of the Strange History Podcast! We dive into some seriously funny bathroom-related news stories that will leave you in stitches. From toilet brush protests to hidden notes and unexpected encounters with reptiles, these bathroom tales will have you rolling on the floor with laughter. Don't …

In 1959 McCalls put out an article that advised women how to land a man, some of the advice is so far removed from what we know to be appropriate behavior of today. Take a listen and you can hear the standards our parents and grandparents lived by and how far we have come.By Strange History

In this podcast episode of the Strange History Podcast, we delve into the fascinating world of Icelandic folklore and fairy tales, discussing various mythical creatures and characters, such as Greta the Strong, a legendary outlaw and warrior, and Deacon John, a figure known for his pact with the devil and practice of black magic. We also explores t…

In this podcast episode, we're gonna dive into the history and importance of the Book of the Dead in ancient Egyptian culture. We'll talk about why it was created, what it looked like, and how it helped guide people through the afterlife. We'll even check out some cool examples, like the Pyramid Text and the Papyrus of Ani, to get a better understa…

In this episode of "Strange History," we delve into the timeless epic of Gilgamesh, but with a twist – we're exploring the ancient hero as the ultimate bad boy of Mesopotamia. Join us as we uncover the daring exploits, wild adventures, and rebellious spirit of Gilgamesh, the legendary figure who refuses to play by the rules. Discover how this fearl…

Join us on a captivating expedition back in time as we delve into the enigmatic realm of the Sumerians, a civilization that laid the foundation for human progress. In this episode, we unlock the mysteries of their advanced culture, ingenious inventions, and the birth of writing itself. From the epic tales of Gilgamesh to their intricate city-states…

Join us as we dive deep into the iconic world of 'The Simpsons,' exploring its strangest secrets, uncanny predictions, and enduring cultural impact. Each episode, we uncover hidden gems, dissect classic moments, and decode the show's genius. Whether you're a lifelong fan or just curious, our podcast is your ticket to the wacky, satirical, and ever-…

Discover the fascinating life and groundbreaking inventions of Thomas Edison, the prolific inventor known for bringing light to the world with the incandescent bulb, revolutionizing music with the phonograph, and shaping the entertainment industry through early motion pictures. Join us as we explore the genius and innovation behind 'The Wizard of M…

In this episode, we take a step back in time to unearth the intriguing history of the Yerkes Observatory Ghost. Join us as we journey through the annals of this iconic astronomical institution, tracing the origins of the ghostly legend that has haunted its halls for generations. We'll explore the tales, anecdotes, and mysteries that have shrouded Y…

Delve into the intriguing world of conspiracy theories with our podcast episode on the McDonald's Illuminati conspiracy. Join us as we explore the wild claims and speculative stories that suggest a hidden connection between the fast-food giant and the secretive Illuminati society. From hidden symbols in logos to celebrity endorsements, we'll separa…

Join us in this episode of 'Unraveling Mysteries' as we delve into the enigmatic world of the Phantom Time Hypothesis. Discover the claims and controversy surrounding this obscure government conspiracy theory that suggests a significant portion of history might have been fabricated. Explore the motivations behind this theory, the evidence both for …

In this captivating episode, we delve into the heartwarming and astonishing story of Wojtek, the soldier bear who defied convention and forged an unbreakable bond with a unit of Polish soldiers during World War II. From his humble beginnings as a playful cub in Iran to his heroic role in the Battle of Monte Cassino, Wojtek's journey embodies the re…

Fairy Folklore, where we explore the Seelie and Unseelie Court - two mystical realms of fae creatures. The Seelie Court, benevolent and beautiful, grants blessings and brings luck. But don't be fooled, they have their own sense of justice. On the darker side lies the Unseelie Court, unpredictable and mischievous, enjoying toying with mortals. Join …

Learn more about the food you eat and how you love what you love and flies are weird and its not just their eyeballs.By Strange History

Step back in time to the intriguing era of 19th-century America and meet Madame Restell, the enigmatic woman known as the "Arsenic Empress." Join us as we delve into the captivating life and shadowy dealings of this historical figure who captivated society with her controversial practices. Uncover the mysteries behind the use of arsenic, one of the…

Join us for an inspiring episode as we uncover the remarkable tale of 'Judy: The War Dog.' During World War II, a loyal stray dog named Judy formed an unbreakable bond with a stranded RAF pilot, becoming a symbol of hope and courage amidst the chaos of war. Discover how this incredible canine companion's bravery earned her the prestigious Dickin Me…

Step into the fascinating world of Australian folklore and join us on an enthralling journey to explore the legend of the Yowie, a mysterious and elusive creature said to roam the vast, untamed wilderness of the Land Down Under. In this captivating podcast, we delve deep into the rich tapestry of Aboriginal mythology, colonial history, and modern-d…

Journey back to Victorian London and witness one of history's most bizarre events - "The Great Stink." In 1858, the River Thames transformed into a noxious cesspool, engulfing the city in an unbearable odor. Follow our host as we uncover the chaos, heroic engineering, and surprising social implications of this environmental crisis. Subscribe now fo…

In this podcast of Strange History, we take listeners on a journey through the thrilling and lawless era of the Australian bushrangers. We discuss the origins of bushranging, which began with escaped convicts in the early years of European settlements. The discovery of gold in the mid-19th century led to a wave of bushranging activity, with outlaws…

Welcome to the Strange History Podcast, where we take you on a whimsical journey through time! In this enchanting episode, we'll be exploring the captivating world of Irish travelers, also known as Pavees or Mincéirs. Picture this: a land filled with magic, mystery, and a nomadic lifestyle that dances with the wind. Irish travelers have a rich hist…

Delving into the fascinating world of Icelandic folklore and fairy tales. We discuss various mythical creatures and characters, such as Greta the Strong, a legendary outlaw and warrior, and Deacon John, a figure known for his pact with the devil and practice of black magic. We also explore the story of a fisherman who takes a selkie, a creature tha…

Are you ready to dive into the mysterious world of Appalachian folklore? Join us on the Strange History Podcast as we explore the legends and creatures that have captivated generations. Appalachian folklore is a treasure trove of supernatural creatures like witches, ghosts, goblins, and fairies. These mythical beings are said to inhabit the forests…

Learn about the oldest known artifacts that provide evidence of human activity, including stone tools, cave paintings, Venus figurines, Stonehenge, and wooden spears. We provide information about the Oldowan tools, Lomek stone tools, Schoeningen spears, and the controversial London hammer. We also discuss the significance of these artifacts in unde…

In this podcast episode, we delve into the ancient Mesopotamian creation epic known as the Enuma Elish, which dates back to the second millennium BCE. The epic centers around Marduk, the chief god of Babylon, and his battle against the primordial goddess Tiamat. We provide historical context for the epic, discussing its discovery and significance i…

The podcast episode explores the history of oracles and divination in ancient civilizations such as Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece, and Rome. We discuss the various forms of divination practiced in these societies, including dream interpretation, observation of natural phenomena, and the use of idols. We also highlight the significance of oracles, such…

In this podcast episode, we explore various historical objects and concepts related to science, space, and geology, including the Rosetta Stone, the Philosopher's Stone, and the Blarney Stone. We provide information and anecdotes about each of these objects, discussing their origins, significance, and cultural associations. We also share strange ne…

In this episode of the Strange History Podcast, we discuss some of the oddest books in history. We cover six books, including the Codex Gigas, the Voynich Manuscript, and the Book of Shadows. The Codex Gigas is known as the Devil's Bible and is famous for its size and intricate illustrations. The Voynich Manuscript is a mysterious manuscript that h…

In this episode of "Strange History" podcast, we discuss five strange medical techniques from history. These techniques include the tobacco smoke enema, cutting teeth, using urine as a tooth whitener, trepanning, and the use of heroin in cough medicine. We explain the origins and uses of each technique, highlighting their barbaric and often dangero…

In this podcast episode, "Strange History" talks about the CIA's secret experiment with psychic spies that were part of a program called called Stargate. The program was established in 1978 to investigate if psychic abilities could be used for military and domestic intelligence applications. We go over the various classified missions and experiment…

The life and prophecies of Mother Shipton, a famous English prophet from the 14th century. She was known for her predictions about modern technology, transportation, historical events, and even the end of the world. One of her most famous prophecies is about a comet or asteroid hitting the Earth, causing massive disasters and wars. Despite the disa…

In this episode of the Strange History Podcast, we explore the history of poor houses, which were tax-supported residential institutions for people who could not support themselves. They discuss the different ways poor relief was provided before the establishment of poor houses, the evolution of poor houses into nursing homes, and provide examples …

The Strange History Podcast explores the history of prostitution across different cultures and time periods. The episode covers the earliest accounts of prostitution in Sumeria, the legal rights of prostitutes in Babylon, and the prevalence of prostitution in ancient Israel, Greece, Rome, India, China, and Japan. We also share facts about prominent…

The birth of law enforcement in the United States is due to the work of one man who ran a detective agency that was bigger then the United States Army, The Pinkterton Detective Agency. Listen to learn how they foiled assassination attempts but were thwarted by Jessie James. They hired women and minorities in a time that it was not the social norm a…

When goats got high on caffeine the start of a cultural movement began and spread across the world and throughout history. Coffee has been the catalyst for many revolutions, has suffered religious persecution, and kick started the creation of the New York Stock Exchange. Listen in as we discuss how this dark brew has shaped our history. If you have…

It was a time when LDS caused a sunburn in a very unlikely place and granola kept people from starving to death. Listen in as we discuss how the most iconic music festival, Woodstock, caused a sleepy farm town in up state New York to be the 3rd largest city in New York for a few short days. If you have an idea for an episode please email strangehis…

Learn more about Zheng Yi Sao: the most successful pirate of all time. Hear about the achievements of this female pirate, from working on a floating brothel to becoming the head of a massive pirate confederation, which plundered the South China Sea in the early 19th century. If you have an idea for an episode please email strangehistorypod@gmail.co…

The bicycle has shaped culture and fashion and was the catalyst to many things. Tune in to this episode of Strange History to learn how the bicycle was the gateway to women in pants and the Pinup Girl. If you have an idea for an episode please email strangehistorypod@gmail.comBy Strange History

The Color red is symblic of love, royalty and much more. Dive into the history of the color red and learn why humans died to obtain it and royalty grasped onto this color. If you have an idea for a podcast email me at strangehistorypod@gmail.comBy Strange History

When Napolean Bonapart put his people to task they changed the way we store food today. The modern can opener replaced a hammer and chisel after people used the strangest things to open cans for 60 years, tune in to hear the history of the metal can and its sidekick that was late to the party, the opener. If you have an idea for a story please emai…

From John Glenn flipping someone the proverbial bird to the scary world of AI technology and 6G, we dive into conspiracies. Some are beyond bizarre, and some actually turned out to be true. If you have an idea for a story please email strangehistorypod@gmail.com.By Strange History