Synopsis
Join Holly and Tracy as they bring you the greatest and strangest Stuff You Missed In History Class in this podcast by HowStuffWorks.com.
Episodes
-
Great Epizootic of 1872
19/02/2025 Duration: 38minThe epizootic of 1872 was a massive outbreak of a flulike illness primarily among horses in North America, Central America, and some islands in the Caribbean. Research: "WHEN A FLU REINED IN NEW YORK." States News Service, 28 Apr. 2020. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A622209555/GPS?u=mlin_n_melpub&sid=bookmark-GPS&xid=2bf7de71. Accessed 3 Feb. 2025. Andrews, Thomas G. “Influenza’s Progress: The Great Epizootic Flu of 1872-73 in the North American West.” Utah Historical Quarterly. Vol. 89. No. 1. Andrews, Thomas G. “The Great Horse Flu of 1872-1873.” The Bill Lane Center for the American West. Stanford University. https://west.stanford.edu/events/great-horse-flu-1872-1873 Andrews, Thomas. “The Great Horse Flu of 1872-1873.” Bill Lane Center for the American West Stanford Department of History. 5/4/2023. https://west.stanford.edu/events/great-horse-flu-1872-1873 Bierer, Bert W. “History of Animal Plagues of North America.” USDA. 1939.
-
The Rise of Modern Hydroponics
17/02/2025 Duration: 41minThe practice of growing plants in water rather than soil isn't new, though early examples are difficult to substantiate. In the 1930s, hydroponic plant culture made headlines, but the field also had conflict among researchers. Research: Bacon, Francis. “Sylva sylvarum; or, A natural history, in ten centuries. Whereunto is newly added the History natural and experimental of life and death, or of the prolongation of life.” London. 1670. https://archive.org/details/sylvasylvarumorn00baco/page/116/mode/2up Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. "Hanging Gardens of Babylon". Encyclopedia Britannica, 13 Jan. 2025, https://www.britannica.com/place/Hanging-Gardens-of-Babylon Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. "chinampa". Encyclopedia Britannica, 26 May. 2017, https://www.britannica.com/topic/chinampa Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. "Julius von Sachs". Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 Sep. 2024, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Julius-von-Sachs. Ebel, Roland. "Chinampas:
-
SYMHC Classics: William Montague Cobb
15/02/2025 Duration: 36minThis 2021 episode covers William Montague Cobb, who was the first Black person in the U.S. to earn a PhD in physical anthropology. He was also an activist and an anatomy professor at Howard University. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
-
Behind the Scenes Minis: Law and Medicine
14/02/2025 Duration: 24minTracy discusses the inherent challenge of talking about topics that relate to current events. She also shares more information about Emma Reynolds that didn't really fit into the Dr. Daniel Hale Williams episode. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
-
Dr. Daniel Hale Williams
12/02/2025 Duration: 43minDr. Daniel Hale Williams is often described as the first person to successfully perform an open-heart surgery. That's not entirely accurate, but he was still a surgical innovator, and he was also a huge part of the Black Hospital Movement. Research: "Daniel Hale Williams." Contemporary Black Biography, vol. 2, Gale, 1992. Gale In Context: U.S. History, link.gale.com/apps/doc/K1606000260/GPS?u=mlin_n_melpub&sid=bookmark-GPS&xid=c4ae7664. Accessed 28 Jan. 2025. "Daniel Hale Williams." Notable Black American Men, Book II, edited by Jessie Carney Smith, Gale, 1998. Gale In Context: U.S. History, link.gale.com/apps/doc/K1622000479/GPS?u=mlin_n_melpub&sid=bookmark-GPS&xid=80e75e7e. Accessed 28 Jan. 2025. Buckler, Helen. “Doctor Dan: Pioneer in American Surgery.” Little, Brown and Company. 1954. Cobb, W M. “Daniel Hale Williams-Pioneer and Innovator.” Journal of the National Medical Association vol. 36,5 (1944): 158-9. COBB, W M. “Dr. Daniel Hale Williams.” Journa
-
United States vs. Wong Kim Ark
10/02/2025 Duration: 45minThe 1898 supreme court case called United States vs. Wong Kim Ark had affected enforcement of the Chinese Exclusion Act, because the court found that people born in the U.S. to Chinese parents were U.S. citizens. Research: Graber, Mark A. "United States v. Wong Kim Ark." American Governance, edited by Stephen Schechter, et al., vol. 5, Macmillan Reference USA, 2016, pp. 228-230. Gale In Context: U.S. History, link.gale.com/apps/doc/CX3629100710/GPS?u=mlin_n_melpub&sid=bookmark-GPS&xid=73795502. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025. "United States v. Wong Kim Ark." Gale U.S. History Online Collection, Gale, 2024. Gale In Context: U.S. History, link.gale.com/apps/doc/EXXRWP999307394/GPS?u=mlin_n_melpub&sid=bookmark-GPS&xid=c225358c. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025. "United States v. Wong Kim Ark." Great American Court Cases, edited by Mark Mikula and L. Mpho Mabunda, vol. 3: Equal Protection and Family Law, Gale, 1999. Gale In Context: Opposing Viewpoints, link.gale.com/apps/doc/EJ2303200443/GPS?u=mlin_n_melpub&sid
-
SYMHC Classics: Chae Chan Ping vs. United States
08/02/2025 Duration: 37minThis 2021 episode covers the Chinese Exclusion Act, the United States’ first major immigration law. As its name suggests it specifically targeted people from China, and it led to Supreme Court cases that set the stage for later restrictions.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
-
Behind the Scenes Minis: Helen and Ada
07/02/2025 Duration: 16minTracy shares how much she loves the work of Helen McNicoll and how the gaps in her biography posed a challenge during research. Holly talks about Harry Craddock and his efforts to combat prohibition in Britain.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
-
Ada Coleman and the Savoy’s American Bar
05/02/2025 Duration: 30minAda Coleman was head bartender at the American Bar at the Savoy Hotel in London in the early 20th century. She created a cocktail that is still served today, and she's an enduring icon of the bartending industry. Research: The Ada Coleman Project. https://theadacolemanproject.com/about/ Allison, Keith. “Spies at the Savoy Part One.” Alcohol Professor. Oct. 5, 2016. https://www.alcoholprofessor.com/blog-posts/blog/2016/10/05/spies-at-the-savoy-part-one Allison, Keith. “Spies at the Savoy Part Three.” Alcohol Professor. October 14, 2016. https://www.alcoholprofessor.com/blog-posts/blog/2016/10/14/spies-at-the-savoy-part-three “American Bar.” Savoy London. https://www.thesavoylondon.com/restaurant/american-bar/#:~:text=The%20American%20Bar%20first%20opened,World's%2050%20Best%20Bars%202017. Bell, Emily. “Ada Coleman: One Of History’s Most Famous Female Mixologists.” Vinepair. March 17, 2016. https://vinepair.com/wine-blog/ada-coleman/ Bryant, Miranda.
-
Helen McNicoll, Canadian Impressionist
03/02/2025 Duration: 38minHelen McNicoll was a Canadian painter who had a significant influence on the rise of Impressionism in that country. McNicoll, who lost her hearing in childhood, was quite successful as an artist, though her career and life were short. Research: Anderson, Jocelyn. “William Brymner: Life & Work.” Art Canada Institute. https://www.aci-iac.ca/art-books/william-brymner/biography/ Atanassova, Katerina. “Helen McNicoll: In Search of Light.” National Gallery of Canada. 5/4/2023. https://www.gallery.ca/magazine/your-collection/helen-mcnicoll-in-search-of-light Babbs, Verity. “Painting Bought for $2,700 Revealed to Be $390,000 Masterpiece.” Artnet. 10/23/2024. https://news.artnet.com/art-world/fake-or-fortune-helen-mcnicoll-painting-2557012 Burton, Samantha. “Helen McNicoll: Life and Work.” Art Canada Institute. https://www.aci-iac.ca/art-books/helen-mcnicoll/biography/ Canadian Women Artists History Initiative. “MCNICOLL, Helen Galloway.” https://c
-
SYMHC Classics: Jelling Stones
01/02/2025 Duration: 23minThis 2016 episode looks at the beginning of Denmark's monarchy and its link to two large rune stones at Jelling. Is it possible that the stones were part of an effort on Harald Blátand's part to revise the history of his parents, Gorm and Thyre?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
-
Behind the Scenes Minis: Iceland and Obstinance
31/01/2025 Duration: 22minTracy talks about the way she usually handles names in episodes, and how Icelandic naming conventions changes that. Holly discusses the way that one leader’s petulance can lead nations into unnecessary conflict.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
-
Isles of Scilly and the 335 Years War
29/01/2025 Duration: 32minThe Isles of Scilly were part of one of the longest wars in human history, but the main reason for the length of the very mild conflict was lagging paperwork. Research: “335-year-old War Ends for Scilly Isles.” Star Tribune. April 18, 1986. https://www.newspapers.com/image/188704902/?match=1 “The breakdown of 1641-2.” UK Parliament. https://www.parliament.uk/about/living-heritage/evolutionofparliament/parliamentaryauthority/civilwar/overview/the-breakdown/ Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. "Isles of Scilly". Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 Dec. 2024, https://www.britannica.com/place/Isles-of-Scilly-islands-England-United-Kingdom Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. "Bishops’ Wars". Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 Jun. 2019, https://www.britannica.com/event/Bishops-Wars Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. "Long Parliament". Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 Jun. 2019, https://www.britannica.com/topic/Long-Parliament Daniel Lysons, Samuel Lysons, 'The Scilly Isl
-
Jón Arason, Last Catholic Bishop of Iceland
27/01/2025 Duration: 43minJón Arason was the last Catholic bishop in Iceland before it became a Lutheran country. His story involves a lot of gory details in this story including a pretty gruesome beheading. Research: Buck, Thomas. “An Icelandic Martyr: Jón Arason.” Studies: An Irish Quarterly Review, vol. 46, no. 182, 1957, pp. 213–22. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/30103574. Accessed 8 Jan. 2025. Cunningham, Jack. “Jón Arason, ‘the last Icelander’ and the Coming of the Reformation to Iceland,” Reformation & Renaissance Review, 11:3, 245-273, DOI: 10.1558/rrr.v11i3.245.” Gunnarsson, Gisli. “Question: Is it really true that all Icelanders are descended from Jón Arason, the last Catholic bishop of Iceland, who was executed in 1550?” The Islandic Web of Science. 3/5/2005. https://www.why.is/svar.php?id=4789 Ker, W.P. “JÓN ARASON.” Saga-Book, 1913-1914, Vol. 8 (1913-1914), pp. 149-171. Via JSTOR. https://www.jstor.org/stabl
-
SYMHC Classics: Christine de Pizan
25/01/2025 Duration: 27minThis 2018 episode covers Christine de Pizan, who wrote verse, military manuals, and treatises on war, peace and the just governance. She was the official biographer of King Charles V of France and wrote about Joan of Arc in her lifetime.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
-
Behind the Scenes Minis: Tamara and Isaac
24/01/2025 Duration: 22minHolly and Tracy talk about the spiky parts of Tamara de Lempicka's life story. They also discuss how Isaac Pitman benefitted from his association with a bible publisher.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
-
Isaac Pitman’s Shorthand
22/01/2025 Duration: 36minHumans have been writing in abbreviated ways as long as writing has existed. In the 19th century, Isaac Pitman developed – and marketed – a system of shorthand that became widely adopted. Research: Baker, Alfred. “The Life of Sir Isaac Pitman.” London. Pitman. 1919. Accessed online: https://archive.org/details/centenlifeofsiri00bakeuoft/page/34/mode/2up Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. "Sir Isaac Pitman". Encyclopedia Britannica, 8 Jan. 2025, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Isaac-Pitman Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. "Pitman shorthand". Encyclopedia Britannica, 18 Apr. 2016, https://www.britannica.com/topic/Pitman-shorthand Miller, Genesie. “A Brief on Shorthand.” Utah Division of Archives and Records. April 11, 2023. https://archives.utah.gov/2023/04/11/a-brief-on-shorthand/ “Sir Isaac Pitman.” The Vegetarian. 1895. https://archive.org/details/vegetarianmonthl00unse_0/page/122/mode/2up?q=sir+isaac Pitman, Benn. “Sir Isa
-
Tamara de Lempicka
20/01/2025 Duration: 38minTamara de Lemicka was a trailblazer with an incredible, fresh style that really defined and influenced the development of Art Deco. She lived a life that was focused on originality, both artistically and personally. Research: Bade, Patrick. “Lempicka.” Parkstone International. 2020. Brown, Mark. “Georgia O’Keeffe flower painting sells for record-breaking $44.4m.” The Guardian. Nov. 20, 2014. https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2014/nov/20/georgia-okeeffe-painting-world-record-price-art-woman#:~:text=Georgia%20O'Keeffe%20flower%20painting%20sells%20for%20record%2Dbreaking%20%2444.4m,-This%20article%20is&text=A%20painting%20of%20a%20white,the%20Georgia%20O'Keeffe%20piece. De Lempicka-Foxhall, Kizette. “Passion by Design.” Abbeville Press. New York. 2020. 2nd Edition. MacCarthy, Fiona. “Artist of the Fascist superworld: the life of Tamara de Lempicka.” The Guardian. May 14, 2004. https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2004/may/15/art Mori, Gioia,
-
SYMHC Classics: Peter Roget
18/01/2025 Duration: 36minThis 2022 episode covers Peter Roget, a doctor and scientist who really liked putting things into classification systems. His life was very dramatic well before he came up with the book that is his legacy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
-
Behind the Scenes Minis: Petra Peccadillo
17/01/2025 Duration: 18minTracy expands on her frustration with coverage of the Petra find. She then discusses selecting topics for Unearthed! that delight her, and Holly shares a personal unearthing.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.