The Past and The Curious: A History Podcast for Kids and Families

Episode 80: Fabian Garcia, changed agriculture (and people's taste) with his ground breaking New Mexico No. 9 Chile, which is the genetic ancestor of nearly every chile grown in southwest America today. His dedication and intelligence with plants changed lives, livelihoods, and culture.

Elliot Michener, on the other hand, was a career criminal whose life was changed for the better when he was put in charge of a garden on Alcatraz Island.

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Maria Mitchell was the first American to discover a new comet, which brought her great fame, but her career in the 1800s as a professor at Vassar College left her greatest legacy. In the next century, Ann Hodges was not looking to get involved in objects from space, but one of them crashed into her house anyway. The Past and The Curious is an Airwave Media Podcast

Melly Victor of Stoopkid Stories joins us for the story of Ella Fitzgerald's first performance at the famous Apollo Theatre. Also, we talk about the history of tuning, how the Treaty of Versailles that ended World War I also tried to standardize musical tuning, and how singers hurt their voices to keep up with instrumentalists raising the relative pitch.

The Virginia became a major attraction when it got stuck in a cornfield, which is a place a boat does not belong. Also, The Meachums escaped slavery, and educated hundreds of children in a school known as the Floating Freedom School. Their school in a steamboat was untouched by an unjust Missouri law while in the middle of the river.

The Wright Brothers became the first to fly a controlled powered aircraft with a pilot onboard, but just a few days before, Smithsonian Secretary James Langley almost beat them. His failure didn't stop the Smithsonian from claiming the first flight. But Orville and Wilber weren't the only two who fought for their place in history. Their sister Katharine did too.

Here's two more underwear stories that aren't in the the book I See Lincoln's Underpants (which is now available!) First Benedict Arnold betrays the American Army but gets caught thanks to something hiding in someone's underwear. Also When NASA planned to get someone to the moon, they needed a special Space Suit, and the only designers and makers up to the challenge had only made underwear for Playtex before the marvelous work of technology.

In the 2000s an anonymous American man found an egg worth millions. It was a Faberge Imperial Egg and it's story is fascinating. This episode traces the origin of the Faberge Eggs, and also the story of how it wound up in a kitchen in America’s Midwest. Also, as the Gold Rush boomed in the 1800s there were not enough actually, edible eggs to feed all the new faces in California. As a result, an Egg War developed over unusual eggs laid by murres on an island chain off the the coast of San Francisco

Episode 73: Ralph Baer fled Nazi Germany and settled in America where he eventually created the first home video game console, known as the Magnavox Odyssey. Not long after Ralph's creation, Jerry Lawson, a Black computer engineer, built on that idea and lead the team that created the first video game cartridge. Both men have very interesting lives, and are a huge part of gaming history. Things they did changed your life!

Episode 72: Edgar Allan Poe is about as famous as an author can be, but that might be owed largely to Rufus Wilmot Griswold. Rufus didn't really like Poe and wrote a scathing obituary and biography on the man, creating the dark figure many of us think Poe to be. In addition the story of Poe and Rufus, Mick does a dramatic reading of "The Raven" a poem which made Edgar Allan Poe a literary superstar.

Harry Houdini almost quit and sold his tricks and secrets in 1899. It was good that he didn’t because in the 1900s he became a household name as the greatest escape artist in the world. It was a chance encounter that changed it all. Likewise, Anna Mary Moses was 78 years old when her life changed and set her on a path to becoming one of the most famous painters in America. During her 80s and 90s she created art that wound up in hundreds of thousands of homes!

Slipping on banana peels was really a thing! Even Theodore Roosevelt got involved! Also, Black explorer Matthew Henson was quite possibly the first man to step on the North Pole. He also crossed paths with Mr. Roosevelt.

A special mashup with our friends from Cool Facts About Animals. Mick tells the tale of the Great Serum Run of 1925 in two parts. When a Diphtheria epidemic threatens the small and far-off town of Nome Alaska, the only hope to get medicine to the sick is dogs. Many help, but two Siberian Huskies named Togo and Balto are most remembered by history. In between part one and part two of the story, the crew from Cool Facts About Animals shares ten interesting facts about sled dogs.

Two kids, at two time and two places, find two remarkable things. One starts the first Gold Rush in America and the other leads to a Cold War spy ring! The stories of Conrad Reed and Jimmy Bozart - and more!

Violet Jessop survived not one, not two, but three shipwrecks involving White Star Line's incredible Olympic-class ships, including the Titanic. The Effie Afton was not so lucky. This steamboat was part of the struggle between railroads and riverboats, and she crashed into the only bridge on the Mississippi River, two weeks after it opened.

Tetsuya "Ted" Fujita played an important role in understanding the impact of the atomic bombs of WWII. He brought that knowledge to America and applied it to understanding, and protecting people from, tornados. Also, Charles Hatfield was a "Rainmaker" whose stinky mix of chemicals may or may not have brought more rain to San Diego than ever before. Things did not go as planned.

The year 1913 saw the births of two incredible Black Americans. One was Samuel Wilbert Tucker, a Civil Rights pioneer and all-around incredible person. The other was James Cleveland Owens, who came to be known as Jesse. A few years before Samuel arranged for one of the first Civil Rights sit-ins in history, Jesse broke five atheletic World Records, just days after badly injuring his back in a fall down the stairs.

Eugene Schieffelin filled American skies with Starlings, who replaced the Passenger Pigeons that once (literally) darkened the skies. John James Audubon's obsession helped him create a very expensive book. This episode is about birds, and a whole lot more. Featuring Greg and Abigail Maupin, Mick Sullivan and that's about it.

Chance has given us some great toys. Explore the accident that led to Silly Putty, the chance repurposing that led to Silly Putty, a few men who stumbled upon them, and two women who figured out what the substances should really be used for. This episode sponsored by RUBBER!

Train stations are busy places and two notable men had very remarkable (and dramatic)encounters in stations during the 1860s. Thomas Edison met a mentor, and Robert Lincoln met a Shakespearean actor named Booth. Also features a You Have 30 Seconds segment on the Beale Papers and more!

Marina Raskova set world flying records, survived an epic plane crash, and was a trailblazer for generations of female pilots in Russia. With her help, The Night Witches became the most feared fliers of World War 2. Adelaide Herrmann was The Queen of Magic. Both with her husband Alexander and on her own, she amazed audiences with a special kind of magic. Featuring the voices of Greg and Abigail Maupin. All music, writing, production by Mick Sullivan,

Professor TSC Lowe (who was not a professor at all) had visions for a transatlantic balloon flight. He never succeeded in that but he did wind up as the Chief Aeronaut of the Balloon Corps during the American Civil War. His vision laid the ground work for Ferdinand Von Zeppelin’s later accomplishments. John Cleves Symmes Jr. popularized a theory known as the Hollow Earth Theory. He believed that the earth was hollow and contained other habitable worlds. Was he right? He was worse than right. He was wrong. All music, as usual, by Mick Sullivan. The writing and voices too.

The 1939 World's Fair brought a special visitor from England: an original copy of Magna Carta, but with World War II in full swing, America couldn't send it back. So the had to babysit the priceless document, which got more complicated than they expected. ALSO Marie Curie's books will not be safe to touch for another 1500 years, so librarians in Paris have to keep people safe from the documents. Learn about Marie, her discoveries, and plenty more in this episode!

Origin stories, comic mis-starts, and medal-winning moments are highlighted in this episode featuring two unlikely international star athletes. Canada's Bobbie Rosenfeld overcame, among other things, small pox and very large pants to run her way into history - not just as an athlete, but a wonderful teammate. Muhammad Ali drank garlic water and chased the bus in his own pursuit of greatness. Spoiler alert: it worked.

This episode tells the stories of Sibyl Ludington and Charley Willis. Sybil's well-known story is amazing, yet it lacks a lot of primary sources, and we use that as a way to introduce thinking about the past with a critical eye. No matter what Sibyl's story has inspired millions. Charley Willis was a cowboy, once enslaved in Texas, and who was impacted by the events of June 19th, or Juneteenth. After a lifetime on the trail, he left the world with one of the most well-known cowboy songs of all.

Django Reinhardt was a Romani musician who, despite losing the use of two of his fingers was one of the most important musicians of his time. His contemporary and fellow Parisian was a man named Eugene Bullard. This American-born man would lead an unbelievable life as a boxer, musician, early black fighter pilot, and more.

Edwin Hubble changed our view of the Solar System, but he was also a collegiate National Champion basketball player and high school coach. He also dealt with the struggles of freezing his face to a telescope. Anything for Science! George Ellery Hale had the idea for the largest telescope in history, and the American Public made it a reality during the Great Depression. It was actually made from something you might use in the kitchen.

Levi Strauss left his native Germany to escape discrimination, and then left New York for the opportunities of the American West. He lost some gold, but changed the world with his pants partnership. Ferminia Sarras was a miner from Nicaragua who didn't wear jeans, but rather a black taffeta dress (in the desert sun). Her successes were many, and they even named a town after her.

No one could have predicted that Sophie Blanchard would become France's leading aeronaut, but she flew higher than any woman before her. Willa Brown was the first Black woman to earn a pilot's license in America, but her accomplishments didn't end there. In many ways, she deserves credit for the famed Tuskegee Airmen. Also features Red Moon Road's song Sophie Blanchard 1778 (Official Aeronaut of the Empire and Restoration)

The Oyster Pirates of the Chesapeake Bay contend with the Toe Nail Governor and his mission to protect the oysters from extinction. A few years later, a new Food Fight erupts in middle America. This one is about Limburger Cheese and the Postal System. It ends with a stinky sniffing duel. Music, writing, and production by Mick Sullivan "Sweet Dreams" by Squeeze-bot

John Joseph Merlin created automata, musical instruments, clocks, and one of the first pairs of roller skates. His roller skate debut was pretty tragic (and hilarious). A.C. Gilbert was a magician turned toymaker who created some important and lasting toys, and also some incredibly dangerous ones.

Maria Tallchief was a member of the Osage nation who happened to become the first major American ballet dancer. Her story is read by Ashley Thursby, a dancer with The Louisville Ballet. The Dancing Plague of 1518 began when Frau Troffea stepped out of her home and started dancing. For months, hundred of people danced along with her - for no discernible reason. All this and more when you join host Mick Sullivan for the fun.

This episode is about places that used to be and which are now covered up by something new. Yarrow Mamout was an unusual man in early America, but the black business leader's story was literally buried by buildings near Washington DC. In the 2000s, his story came to light. Also, the Los Angeles communities of La Loma, Palo Verde, and Bishop were often grouped together under the name Chavez Ravine. The people of these communities were uprooted, and now Dodger stadium stands where they once lived.

The Transatlantic Cable connected North America and Europe, allowing for communication like never before (at least for a few weeks). It sure wasn't easy - told by Greg and Abigail Maupin. Likewise, Alexander Graham Bell's invention changed the world of communication. He also had a pretty interesting life. Sometimes things just work out. All this and more!

Leonardo da Vinci had some wins and some losses, but his impact was enormous. He kinda sorta finished a painting of a lady named Lisa that wound up in the King of France's bathroom. Centuries later a man named Vincenzo Peruggia stole it and hid it next to his underwear. This episode also features the triumphant return of Dr. Awkward

Mary Fields was known as Stagecoach Mary, and her story is one of the great tales of the West. Likewise, Owney the dog, always captures the imagination. Michael Fleming, reads the story of Owney, and Melly Victor of Stoopkids Stories joins us as Stagecoach Mary. Stories written by Mick Sullivan

Parents can be pretty amazing sometimes - these two stories feature parents who went above and beyond for their kids and their community. Ada Blackjack was an Inupiat woman who was the only survivor of an extreme Arctic expedition, and she did it all for her son. The McCoy Family of Michigan had escaped enslavement in the South, but as their daughter Anna would find out, that wasn't the end of their story. This episode features the esteemed voice talents of Greg and Abigail Maupin.

Elizabeth Cotten became a music star pretty late in her life. In fact, she was a grandmother. But when she was 11 she wrote a song that made it's way across the ocean and was learned by a band called The Quarrymen, who later became The Beatles. Enjoy the story of both, along with Mick's performance of "Freight Train" and more!

A Special Episode for April of 2020. Join us as we meet Ignaz Semmelweis, Florence Nightingale, John Snow, and also a woman named Mary Mallon, who - for better or for worse - is now remembered as "Typhoid Mary."

Join Mick Sullivan for a story about the first bear in Theodore Roosevelt's life, a bear named Jonathan Edwards, and then the second bear in his life - one which gave rise to a cuddly creature in your bedroom. Then Hugh McNeal, a man joining Lewis and Clark gets treed by an angry bear and plays a boring game of chicken. All this, and Dr. Rush's Thunderclapper Pills

Amelia Bloomer helped change the world with a pair of underpants (which she didn't even invent). Among other things, it helped women ride bikes, and this led to a new independence in the late 1800's. Many women (even Susan B. Anthony) said the bike had more to to with women's independence than nearly anything else. So Melinda Beck is going to tell you her original telling of Tillie Anderson, a true life, turn-of-the-century bicycle racer ("scorchers" in the day) who might have been the fastest woman in America! Be sure to check out our Kids Listen Friends, including Timestorm and Girl Tales, for their Women's History episodes this month!

The Harlem Globetrotters were more than a show. They were an incredible barnstorming team who helped integrate the NBA. Told by Mick Sullivan with help from Dustin Baron Robert Smalls was responsible for one of the most daring escapes during the Civil War, helped convince Lincoln that African Americans should be allowed to serve as Union soldiers, and ultimately was an important politician. Told by Jermaine Fowler of the Humanity Archive (www.thehumanityarchive.com) All this and more!

L. Frank Baum, an author of a classic book (which became a classic movie) was also partially responsible for our love of fancy holiday shop windows. Also, Meriwether Lewis gives his pal William Clark a re-gift he probably could've done without.

John Wesley Powell is the first American of European descent to conquer the Grand Canyon, and he did it with one arm! Also, Paris was a pretty stinky place until they upgraded the sewers. Learn about poop, nightmen, and a couple of clever civil engineers who eventually got people to dress their best as they toured the stinky sewers in boats. All this and more!

Mary Shelley didn't just create one of the most memorable characters and important books in history, she also pretty-much invented science fiction. Heather Gotlib tells her original story on the author of Frankenstein. Have you ever heard about the chess playing robot that beat Napoleon in chess? The automaton shocked the world in many ways! written and told by Mick Sullivan All this and more!

A polymath is a person of wide ranging knowledge or ability, and in this episode we're telling the stories of two unsung polymaths. Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de St. Georges, was a world class fencer, composer, conductor and musician who spent time in the royal courts of France and tutored Marie Antoinette. He was also the son of an enslaved woman. Ziryab is a mysterious man from medieval Spain, when Muslim culture dominated the area. He was a musician, scholar, and pioneer of food and fashion. Pretty much a rock star before rock stars were a thing. You'll hear Ms. Lynn from The Good Words Podcast and music from Mick Sullivan and Todd Armstrong. Episode written and produced by Mick Sullivan. Somebody give us a book deal already.

We’re sharing this special episode with our friends from Tumble, A Science Podcast for Kids. First you’ll hear Mick’s telling of the discovery and disagreement about Otzi the Iceman. Then we turn it over to Lindsay and Marshall from Tumble for a story they produced called Underground Astronauts. Enjoy!

Isabella Stewart Gardner was a very unusual lady who created an incredible museum in Boston. Unfortunately some of her paintings have gone missing. Charles Wilson Peale painted people, but he also created America's first museum - right upstairs from where they signed the Declaration of Independence. Also features Quiztime, You Have 30 Seconds, "All of Me" and more. Written and produced by Mick Sullivan. Isabella's story read by Jason Lawrence.

Mick Sullivan tells a story of the Prairie Dog who wound up on the Lewis and Clark Journey and had one of the most eventful lives imaginable. Heather Funk tells her story about the popular cartoon "Bremenskie Muzykanty" which infuriated the government of the Soviet Union, but captured the imagination of its people and introduced many of them to Rock and Roll. Also features the gang from our podcast pals "Cool Facts about Animals," and music from Da Da Da and the Dinos!

The long awaited episode to coincide with the release of our book "The Meatshower!" Mr. Eric from What If World tells he's tory of Boston's Great Molasses Disaster and Mick Sullivan tells the story of the Kentucky Meatshower of 1876. To purchase the book visit www.earlyworkspress.com/shop

It's Kids Listen Sweeps Month and we're joining the April Fool's fun (though pretty late). This episode features Heather Gotlib's original story of the real-life, classic prank called the Berner's Street Hoax, in which an unsuspecting family's home becomes the most popular destination in London. Also featured is Mick Sullivan's telling of Count Fortsas Book Hoax, which began with rare book collectors receiving notice of an incredible auction. Spoiler Alert: not what they think. Also "Deed I Do," Quiztime, and "You Have 30 Seconds!" Want more April Fool's fun? Check out our Kids Listen pals Composer Dad and What If World!

Celebrate the big 3-0 with us as we head underwater. Brian West tells the story of Garrett Morgan, an inventor and brave man who created some really important things which are still around today. Mick Sullivan tells the story of Ezra Lee and the the long lost 18th Century submarine known as the Turtle. Also features a visit from Dr. Awkward, the Palindrome professor, quiz time and more info about our new book, The Meatshower.

Patty Hill (with the help of her sister Margaret) did much more than just write Happy Birthday, but that'd be achievement enough. Story by Heather Gotlib Their Friend Enid Yandell happened to be a world-class Sculptor. and in our telling of the tales, we'll weave in the Mars Rover, Athena's birth, and the coolest Bon Voyage Party ever! Incredible song courtesy of Dan Saks, from one of our favorite podcasts, Noodleloaf!

Join host Mick Sullivan and friend Hanna Zimmerman of Locust Grove as we share the stories of Marquis de Lafayette's steamboat shipwreck, and Rhode Island lifesaver Ida Lewis. Also features a performance of the song "Sail Away Ladies," Quiztime and more!

Women of Science! Join us for some 19th Century STEM stories. Heather Funk tells you about Mary Anning and the origins of "She Sells Sea Shells." Mick Sullivan shares the story of Mary Somerville and the origin of the the word "scientist." Both ladies did remarkable things in the science world at a time when it was pretty uncommon. In addition, Squeeze-bot plays "She Blinded Me with Science," quiz time and more. From Kids Listen member, a History and Music Podcast for young and old alike!

Your favorite history show for the whole family is back and we're bringing the cheese! First, Graham Shelby reads "Andrew Jackson's Big Cheese," while Mick Sullivan shares some fun stories of hardtack, followed by the Civil War parody song "Hard Tack Come Again No More." There's Quiztime, Music and more!

When Washington first became president, no one knew what to call him, and he certainly didn't want to shake EVERYONE'S hand. There were some growing pains in Presidential cordiality. Later, Lincoln wishes Jefferson never started the whole "handshake thing." Also, Quiztime and the old song "Lulu's Back in Town" Stories written and music performed by Mick Sullivan. Also featuring the voices of Chaska and Mirabel Power (from Book Power for Kids Podcast)

It's time for the July Kids Listen Sweep! This episode features the story of Annie Edson Taylor, who was the first person to successfully survive Niagara Falls in a barrel. Also, how'd they even start building the first suspension bridge over Niagara? You might be surprised. And if Cole Porter's song "Don't Fence Me In" doesn't make you feel like "Hittin' The Road," what will? Voices: Victoria Reibel and Mick Sullivan. All Music and Instruments: Mick Sullivan. Bad Ideas: Mick Sullivan Good Ideas: also, Mick Sullivan

George Washington's frenemy Charles Lee, who you might remember from Hamilton, gets caught in his skivvies, the guy who built the Brooklyn Bridge remembers seeing Abraham Lincoln's undies, Mick sings a song about long underwear and more. Produced by Mick Sullivan, read by Victoria Reibel and Jason Lawrence. "Long Handle Time" song by Homer and Jethro performed by Mick Sullivan.

Nelly Bly decides to travel around the world in less than 80 days, much like Phileas Fogg, the fictional character from Jules Verne's "Around the Wolrd in 80 Days" Also Henry Brown escapes enslavement in a dramatic way, earning the nickname "Box" Brown, and he later finds a career on the stage. Also, musician Chris Rodahaffer (Will Oldham/Bonnie Prince Billy) joins us for the song "I've Been All Around This World." Created by Mick Sullivan. Readings by Victoria Reibel and Jason Lawrence. Oh Yeah, and Quiz Time!

Join host Mick Sullivan for some true tales of magic, or at least what appeared to be magic. Learn Franz Mesmer's gift to your vocabulary, hear about some young sisters who fooled America, and discover how a French Magician stopped a rebellion with his magic tricks. Along with Quiz Time you'll hear Tory Fisher, Brandon Johnson and Mick Sullivan perform "I'll See You In My Dreams." Mesmer and Fox sisters story written and read by Heather Funk; Houdin story written by Mick Sullivan and read by Victoria Reibel.

This episode is fast paced and broken into small bites! We’ve squeezed in THREE great stories along with a song and quiz time! Really packed it in there - like sausage in a casing! Victoria Reibel wonders, did George Crumb invent potato chips? Jason Lawrence imagines a delicious new way to eat ice cream at the 1904 World’s Fair in St. Louis. Food Network Star, Chef Damaris Phillips joins us for a fun story about everyone’s favorite red vegetable - or is it a fruit? Chris Rodahaffer and Rob Collier join host and creator Mick Sullivan for a fun old song about chicken pie. WARNING: You might get hungry listening to this episode.

Episode 6 is all about Heights! Victoria Reibel reads a story about the time The Chicago World's Fair had to build something to top the Eiffel Tower. Jason Lawrence tells the tale of the the world's leading antebellum funambulist. The Tamerlane Trio performs "East of the Sun and West of the Moon" Episode written by Mick Sullivan. Steal it and you are lame.

In honor of National Bird Day, this episode features some great bird stories from history. Victoria Reibel reads the story of Charles Morton, a man who tried to explain the mystery of bird migration with an otherworldly hypothesis. Jason Lawrence reads the tale of Cher Ami, one of the bravest little birds the world has ever known. Mick Sullivan performs the traditional folk song Cluck Old Hen. All this and more!

The Pony Express lives in legend, but didn't last long. Find out what it took to be join the team. (read by Victoria Reibel) Alfred Ely Beach kept a secret from New York City and built a Pneumatic Subway underneath it in the 1800's! (read by Jason Lawrence) This episode also features an original performance of "I'm Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter." All of the instruments were played and overdubbed by Mick Sullivan.

The origin of Port and Starboard Victoria Reibel reads stories about Anne Bonny, and Stephen Long's unusual dragon-like steamboat, the Western Engineer. Tamerlane Trio performs original song "Big Ol' Boat" (song recorded by Rob Collier) Quiz time and more! **Correction: in Anne Bonny, in regards to her death, we say 1881, but we mean 1781, as you'd probably guess from our framing it around the American Revolution - sorry!**

Victoria Reibel tells the story of P.T. Barnum and an Egress. Also featured is the tale of John Banvard and his Mississippi Panorama, which was the longest painting in the world. The Tamerlane Trio performs their version of "It's Only a Paper Moon" (song recorded by Rob Collier) Quiztime and more! Written by Mick Sullivan - 2016