Episodes

  • Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid

    Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid
    Jun 11 2024
    On today’s episode the History Guy tells the story of Butch Cassidy and the Sudnance Kid, examining the long history to figure out what we know about the two legendary outlaws, and very often, what we don’t.

    As the History Guy is out of the country for the month of June for Travel with the History Guy in England and Germany, we will be taking a short hiatus on the podcast! If you have any comments, advice, or ideas for the podcast please feel free to email me (Josh) at jgeiger@thehistoryguy.net . We'll be back soon!
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    56 mins
  • A History of Making the Perfect Smile

    A History of Making the Perfect Smile
    May 28 2024
    On today’s episode, the History Guy tells two stories of dental health, examining humanities long relationship with our teeth. First, he tells the story of toothpaste and basic dentistry, and the many ways that dental care has changed. Then he turns to orthodontics, and our centuries-long quest for the perfect smile.
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    1 hr and 3 mins
  • The American Civil War on the Water

    The American Civil War on the Water
    May 14 2024
    On today’s episode, the History Guy tells two stories of the forgotten naval war of the American civil war. First, he talks about the CSS Albermarle, and its brief but successful career against the Union navy. Then he tells the story of the Black Terror, one of the most successful union navy ships of the war.
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    53 mins
  • Modern Marvels: Celluloid and Transistors

    Modern Marvels: Celluloid and Transistors
    Apr 30 2024
    On today’s episode, The History Guy tells two stories about important inventions that have become part of the foundation of modern life. First he tells the story of celluloid, the material that jumpstarted the plastic revolution. Then he tells the story behind nearly all of our modern electronics: Transistors.
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    1 hr and 4 mins
  • Hurricanes that Made History

    Hurricanes that Made History
    Apr 16 2024
    On today’s episode, the History Guy tells two stories of how hurricanes affected history in dramatic ways. First he tells the story of the ill-fortuned 1715 treasure fleet, meant to rescue Spain from economic distress. Then he tells the story of the Samoan Crisis, how the US and European powers threatened to go to war over the tiny islands of Samoa, and the hurricane that determined Samoa’s fate.
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    59 mins
  • Volcanoes: Vesuvius & Tambora

    Volcanoes: Vesuvius & Tambora
    Apr 2 2024
    On today’s episode, The History Guy tells two stories of volcanic eruptions, and the dramatic ways these eruptions affected human history. First, he remembers the lesser known victims of Vesuvius in 79AD, and then he discusses one of the most powerful eruptions in human history, Mount Tambora.
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    1 hr and 2 mins
  • Movie Stars in WWII

    Movie Stars in WWII
    Mar 19 2024
    On today’s episode, The History Guy tells three stories of movie stars and their service during World War II. First he tells the story of Hedy Lamarr, the beautiful and brilliant film star who had personal connections to the war and patented an idea that has become the basis for lots of modern technology. Then he tells the stories of Douglas Fairbanks Jr, and Eddie Heimberger, famous men who chose to serve in combat roles and performed significant acts of wartime bravery. Without further ado, let me introduce the History Guy.
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    1 hr and 4 mins
  • Explorers: Magellan and Bering

    Explorers: Magellan and Bering
    Mar 5 2024
    The History Guy tells two stories of the age of exploration, and explorers whose names you likely know, but whose stories you might not. First is the story of Ferdinand Magellan, and the ignominious end to his famous expedition. Then the History Guy tells the story of Vitus Bering, a Danish sailor who explored the Russian far east and Alaska.
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    58 mins