The Unusual History of Every Thing: Recent Episodes
Melanie Dellas and Karen Lacy
The Unusual History of Every Thing is a podcast for lovers of the weird history of common things in our world. Join cultural object preservationists Melanie Dellas and Karen Lacy as they uncover the unusual histories of every thing around us. New episodes every Tuesday!
Typically, people nowadays don’t go into Trader Joe’s or Whole Foods and ask for earthworm oil, but from the 16th to 19th centuries, earthworm oil was used to treat various problems – kind of like how we use tea tree or coconut oils today. On this episode, we’ll show you how to use earthworm oil to treat many things, even gunshot wounds, because…well, why not?
Who doesn’t love to come home from a long day of work, heat up some yummy food, turn on the TV and plop down on the couch to eat? Although many people still do enjoy a sit-down meal with the family that often doesn’t include a television, back in the 1950s when having a TV in the home was a new concept, people found themselves wanting to eat in front of it. On this episode, we thank Thanksgiving and an overabundance of turkeys back in 1953 for giving us the TV dinner.
Happy World Toilet Day! In case you didn’t know, the World Toilet Organization (yes, there is one) declared November 19th to be World Toilet Day back in 2001. Why, you may ask? Well it all had to do with drawing attention to the fact that even today not every country has great sanitation, which of course spreads diseases like cholera, typhoid and hepatitis. On this episode, we flush out what humans did when poop became a problem and how it all led to a universal holiday.
One of the things people in Europe and in America used to do to thwart a witch’s spells was to bake a witch cake. It sounds sort of good, being a cake and all, but you know that having the word “witch” in its name means something has to be wrong with it. And there was something wrong with it. Despite the fact that this supernatural dessert was meant to be used against witches, its ingredients left something to be desired: rye meal, ashes and the victim’s urine. On this episode, we’ll show you how a little urine in your cake can either curse you or cleanse you.
When we in the west think of Halloween or All Hallow’s Eve, carving pumpkins is one of the first things that comes to mind. It’s a tradition parents share with kids, and even as adults we enjoy it. In fact, we spend a lot of time researching cool designs to carve and choosing the best pumpkins at the pumpkin patch. And let’s not forget gutting it and roasting the seeds! But why do we do all of this? How did turning pumpkins into jack-o-lanterns become a Halloween tradition? On this episode, we look at why we love to carve out pumpkins, eat their guts and use them to light up the darkness.
They say the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, so using food to find a husband doesn't seem like such a bad idea. From the late 1600s to the mid-1900s, unmarried women in North America and the United Kingdom practiced a baking ritual on Halloween that was said to reveal who they would marry. They called the products of this ritual “dumb cakes.” The cakes themselves were simple: water, flour, sugar, salt. It was HOW you made them that was a bit more complicated. But finding a future husband is never easy! On this episode, we show unmarried women everywhere how to find a future spouse using nothing but cake and well-timed silence.
On this episode, we show you how ancient Chinese medicine became the inspiration for medicine shows and rattlesnake wranglers. If you’ve ever heard of the term “snake oil salesman,” then you’re probably well aware of its negative connotations. If you haven't, you're about to get all the details...
On this episode, we try to unravel the tale of the European phenomenon of rat kings. As the story goes, long ago a wise old rat who wanted to be the king of all the rats made the lesser rats form a mountain. He climbed up to the top, and sat there, demanding respect and adoration from the other rats. Unfortunately for those other rats, they had been using their tails to hold onto each other and became tangled up together. In the 1500s, this tale gave rise to the term “rat king.” But where did this story come from?
On this episode, we talk about how artists used dead people to make their paintings come alive. We’ve done a podcast or two on corpse medicine and how people of long ago used mummies as cures. And the dark liquid the body oozes out during the putrefaction process, which ranges from dark purple to brown, made people in the Middle Ages take notice.
On this episode, we uncover the secrets contained within demon bowls, and try to figure out why anyone in their right mind would turn one over. But before we get into that, welcome to Season 8, which is going to be fun and, as always, a little weird and gross, depending on who you ask. And in the case of this episode, perhaps a little terrifying!
All over the world, the coming of the new year is ushered in with fireworks, champagne, a kiss, and, for the last 114 years, people have been celebrating New Year’s Eve by watching the ball drop in New York City’s Times Square. But it’s not the only thing that is dropped on New Year’s Eve in America. Cities around the country really get creative, and maybe a little weird, and we’re here for it.
We all know the story of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, but what is less commonly known is where that story comes from – and the fact that some reindeer DO have red noses. On this episode, we explain why Rudolph, the beloved Christmas reindeer, has a red nose – and it’s not because of alcohol.
Everyone knows Santa Claus is a man, but in 1941, during World War 2, the women needed to stand in. It wasn’t unusual. Because the war took most of the men in America from their homes and jobs, the women left behind stepped in to do the work. They became riveters, crane operators, cab drivers, baseball players -- and even Santas.
Every country has a traditional holiday drink served to friends and family at gatherings and celebrations, and Americans and Canadians love their eggnog. Eggnog is an acquired taste, and not one that you would think would cause riots. But in 1876, that’s exactly what it did.
On this episode, in honor of Thanksgiving, we thought we’d tell you how pumpkin pie became a Thanksgiving staple, and how "Mary Had A Little Lamb" was connected to it.
For many parents in the western world, saying nursery rhymes and singing lullabies to their children are normal. But do people ever really stop and think about the words they’re saying to their innocent babies? Probably not, and that’s why we’re here: To show you the dark history of normal, everyday things people rarely pay attention to. On this episode, we uncover the darker side of lullabies and begin to question some people’s parenting skills.
Being interested in where your ancestors come from is not a new thing. People all over the world have a long and varied history of trying to find their roots to understand who they are. On this episode, we dig up the roots of the oldest family tree discovered so far and get a glimpse into the family structure of neolithic people.
On this episode, we look at the history of and the science behind radiocarbon dating artifacts, and what changes will be necessary in the future.
On this episode, we look at the history of and the science behind radiocarbon dating artifacts, and what changes will be necessary in the future.
Every culture around the world believes in some sort of ghost, spirit or soul that leaves the body at death to go to some sort of afterlife. On this episode, we get into the Halloween spirit by looking at the ghosts of various cultures, examine how we’re still judged even in the afterlife, and the important role dogs play even in death.
Every culture around the world believes in some sort of ghost, spirit or soul that leaves the body at death to go to some sort of afterlife. On this episode, we get into the Halloween spirit by looking at the ghosts of various cultures, examine how we’re still judged even in the afterlife, and the important role dogs play even in death.
From the 9th century to the 13th century, witchcraft was looked down upon by the Christian churches as pagan superstition. But in the late 1400s, the heresy of witchcraft as a superstition turned into the heresy of consorting with the Devil. On this episode, to add to the Halloween spirit, we thought we’d try to understand how one book could be responsible for centuries of witch hunts.
From the 9th century to the 13th century, witchcraft was looked down upon by the Christian churches as pagan superstition. But in the late 1400s, the heresy of witchcraft as a superstition turned into the heresy of consorting with the Devil. On this episode, to add to the Halloween spirit, we thought we’d try to understand how one book could be responsible for centuries of witch hunts.
Grave robbing may seem like something people did long ago, but it actually still occurs unfortunately. For example, in Egypt, archaeologists often have to have security round the clock to prevent people from stealing from the tombs. Most of that is for the gold and expensive tomb-related items, however sometimes the black market calls for more obscure things like mummy dust. But in the beginning, grave robbing had more to do with stealing the corpses themselves than it did what was buried with them. On this episode, we dig into the whys, what-fors and oh-nos of grave robbing and what people did with various body parts.
Grave robbing may seem like something people did long ago, but it actually still occurs unfortunately. For example, in Egypt, archaeologists often have to have security round the clock to prevent people from stealing from the tombs. Most of that is for the gold and expensive tomb-related items, however sometimes the black market calls for more obscure things like mummy dust. But in the beginning, grave robbing had more to do with stealing the corpses themselves than it did what was buried with them. On this episode, we dig into the whys, what-fors and oh-nos of grave robbing and what people did with various body parts.
Bats are one of the coolest animals we have. Some think they’re cute and cuddly, and they’re the only animal that doesn’t walk on four legs and instead, flies. Despite their small size, they’ve also been depicted in folklore as one of the scariest animals we have. On this episode, we swoop in to tell you all about the history of bat folklore and who the first Batman really was.
Bats are one of the coolest animals we have. Some think they’re cute and cuddly, and they’re the only animal that doesn’t walk on four legs and instead, flies. Despite their small size, they’ve also been depicted in folklore as one of the scariest animals we have. On this episode, we swoop in to tell you all about the history of bat folklore and who the first Batman really was.
Tossing a coin into a fountain or well and making a wish has been a tradition since ancient times. People long ago gave the coin as a gift or tribute to a god, usually to keep them happy, make them happy or as a form of payment for whatever it was they were asking for. On this episode, we dive into the history of making wishes and why we like to toss coins into water.
In creature mythology, pixies, fairies and sprites are sometimes used interchangeably, and although there are some similarities, there are also many differences. On this episode, we take a look at what these magical creatures, butterfly wings and biodegradable materials all have in common.
In creature mythology, pixies, fairies and sprites are sometimes used interchangeably, and although there are some similarities, there are also many differences. On this episode, we take a look at what these magical creatures, butterfly wings and biodegradable materials all have in common.
Magnets are cool, and everyone has at least one. They hang our pictures on refrigerators, they hold things together, they’re used in various machinery, even the center of Earth has a type of one. Put simply, a magnet is a rock or piece of metal, called ferromagnetic metals, that have the ability to pull metals to – or repel metals away – from itself with a force called magnetism. On this episode, we examine the attraction between magnets and why certain parts of the body have more pull.
We're back! Welcome to our new season! On this episode, we take a look at how Nikola Tesla and shark intestines became the inspiration for filtering water today.
Most people believe in some sort of superstition, whether it’s throwing salt over your shoulder to keep the devil away, or preventing bad luck by not walking under a ladder or breaking a mirror. It may seem silly, but these superstitions have been around for thousands of years and are passed down from generation to generation like grandma’s keepsakes. Some believe superstitions are super silly, but there are logical origins behind each one. On this episode, we look at the origins of some evil eye superstitions and just how afraid we still are of bad luck and evil spirits.
We all try to stay healthy and exercise, but the holidays tend to add a few extra pounds to our waistline. Throw in a pandemic or two and staying healthy is tops in our minds. Well, we’re here to help. You see, throughout history, various cultures have had the same problems and came up with some unusual food combinations to become healthier. From drinking snail water to roasting sheep lungs and eating a dead body part or two, it's clear to us where modern bizarre health food kicks and medicines come from. On this episode, we help you with your New Year’s resolution of staying healthy and avoiding COVID by offering up some tasty treats from history’s strangest food remedies.
The yule log, which wasn’t a log at all, but instead an entire tree, is originally a Nordic tradition dating back to medieval times. The burning of the Yule log is one of the oldest pagan rituals, which was lit to entice the sun to return as part of the Yule festival in Scandinavia. On this episode, we explore the history of the yule log and why people refused to cut the tree into pieces before they burned it.
Santa Claus's gift bringing at Christmas time really began in northern and central Europe before spreading to other parts of the world. And some of the things that spread with him were his little helpers. We're not talking about the elves, although they did come along for the ride, no, we're talking about his darker little friends, the ones who handed out punishments. On this episode, we’re hanging out in Germany with St. Nick’s scary friend who smacks kids with his dirty bag of ashes if they’re on the naughty list.
Mistletoe has long been a romantic, fun Christmas tradition, but it didn’t start out that way. In fact, the plant is sort of gross when you think about it. On this episode, we look at how a plant that sucks nutrients from its host tree became the symbol for sucking face at Christmas.
Every house has its quirks, its moans and groans, its creaks and cracks. Most people attribute these sounds to the house settling or the wind blowing against the windows and walls. However many people believe there’s something just a tad more supernatural to blame it on. Some blame it on brownies, some point the finger at elves, but in Russia and the Ukraine, the Domovoy is the culprit. On this episode, we investigate one potential reason why so many houses creak, and what could be responsible for that missing left sock.
As America celebrated Thanksgiving, millions of people prepared their tables with roasted turkey and pumpkin pie, they turned on the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and some football, and gathered ‘round the table to sing the traditional Thanksgiving Day song – Jingle Bells. On this episode, we look at the history behind one of the holiday season’s most iconic songs, and how it all started with Thanksgiving and made its way into space.
When you think of dowsing or using divining rods, most people’s minds automatically go to the two-pronged sticks used to find water. And that’s true, that’s what they are said to do. But what most people don’t know is that divining rods have been used for thousands of years around the world to find metal, the depth of oil in the ground, hidden tunnels and even bodies buried beneath our feet. On this episode, we look at how diving rods are being used to find more than just water.
Ancient Rome and the Middle Ages seem to be the parents of a whole host of superstitions many people practice today: carving crosses in Brussels sprouts, fear of the number 13, and this episode's topic: Sneezing out your soul.
Brussels sprouts aren’t the favorite of many, and there could be a good reason for that. The often-overboiled side dish comes complete with a mushy texture, yellowed color and a rotten-egg smell that stays in your house and your hair for days. But, if you cook them right, it’s a whole other story. And you better cook them right, because some say evil lurks between the leaves.
The number 13 really does have some baggage attached to it, and not all of it is deserving! We as a society may like to think we aren’t superstitious like people from ancient times or even the Middle Ages, but in fact we all still do a lot of things that stem from the superstitions of our ancestors. On this episode, we’re going to show you how the number 13 got such a bad rap.
Although the gargoyle as we know it today stems from medieval France, in ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome, an early form of the gargoyle took shape first. On this episode, as we gear up for Halloween, we thought we’d chip away at the stony exterior of gargoyles and see what historical goodies we can find.
Hauntings, as we all know, usually take place in places that have tragic histories. Throw in some paranormal conductors, like water, limestone or fault lines, and you have the makings for the next great scary movie. On this episode, we enter at our own risk three hospitals that were the final resting places for epidemic victims – victims who are said to still call those places home.
On this episode, we explore the ancient origins of a modern funeral tradition, as well as the strange history of eating someone’s sins.
On this episode, we take a step back in time to when museums were considered collections of objects and not institutions, and Cabinets of Curiosities were prized possessions.
Blood is the life force of humans and animals alike. And so for thousands of years it was believed that blood would in turn give the gods life, which would make the gods want to do nice things for the people. These blood rituals weren’t just animal and human sacrifices, they also included small amounts of blood used in ritualistic ways. On this episode, we examine some archaeological finds that point to a time when blood rituals allowed people to communicate with the gods and seek glory in the afterlife.
While researching our previous podcast on feminine products, we came across two words that made us stop and think for a minute. On this episode, we take a look at the bloody history of the words “period” and “mittelschmerz.”
One of the most known and treasured fairy tales in history, as it is today, is Cinderella. Almost everyone knows the tale about a young girl who is forced to live as a servant and becomes a princess who lives happily ever after when good triumphs over evil. However, where this story originated, the original meaning, and the full impact of this fairy tale on American society is not as well known.
There are many incredible, strong, talented women in the world – dead and alive. And in this episode, we want to focus on a small handful who ruled for an unusual length of time, did some odd things along the way, and kicked their enemies’ butts up and down their lands.
Washing your hands seems like common sense, especially if they’re dirty. But forget about what we know now about germs, viruses and bacteria. Forget how gross the feeling of gritty dirt is in your mouth because your hands were in the mud when you picked up that apple to take a bite. Forget about changing a baby’s diaper and then rubbing your eyes and getting pink eye. Instead, let’s focus on how society in general went from cleanliness to dying from infections, back to cleanliness. On this episode, we take a look at the uncommon history behind one of the most common things we know – washing our hands and bodies.
When you think about mummification, I’m sure Ancient Egypt is the first thing that springs to mind. Although that culture’s mummies are absolutely some of the coolest, they’re not the only ones who mummified their dead. In fact, mummification is still going on today thanks in part to Mother Nature and some odd things live people do to themselves. On this episode, we unwrap the layers of mystery around mummification and get to the heart of how various cultures preserve their dead.
On this episode, we’re going to suck you into the unusual history of the Suction Tube for Reverse Axial Withdrawal – the Straw. In order to fully grasp the unusual history of the straw, we need to go back in time before Friedman’s patented “Drinking Tube,” a.k.a., the bendy straw; before a man named Marvin Stone discovered how to make straws not disintegrate in his mint juleps. We have to go all the way back to 3000 BC. Underground, as a matter of fact. Into the tomb of Pu-Abi, a Sumerian queen of Ur.
Vampires in Venice. It sounds like the title of an Anne Rice novel, a dark supernatural romance. But alas, this podcast episode isn’t a dark romance, rather it’s the true story of how humans take what they do not understand and create legends that endure through the centuries – and make great Halloween costumes. On this episode, we’re going to take a bite out of vampire history and dig deep into some vampire burial grounds around the world.
On this episode, we’re going to talk about the month that San Diego officials hired a moisture accelerator – and almost drowned the city.
Whenever you think of good luck charms you automatically think of bugs, right? Afterall, who wouldn’t want tiny critters flying around you, crawling all over you or even being consumed by you as long as good fortune followed? Humans are always concocting new and interesting ways of using the things around them for random things, and we’re going to tell you about a few creepy crawlies that do their jobs well. Itchy yet?
On this episode, we talk about the evolution of the wedding cake from being filled with unusual ingredients to being smashed on the bride’s head.
Warding off evil has been a thing forever. People don’t want it around them, and part of the evil that lurks about is called bad luck. Who wants that? No one, especially brides, grooms and people attending weddings. And since it’s wedding season, we thought we’d start our journey into things people have historically thrown at weddings by looking underneath the wedding dress first. You probably don’t think there’s much of anything to throw under there, but you’d be wrong!
On this episode, we take a look at how courting someone used to be, strange dating rituals that led to marriage, and how stinky sweat-infused apple slices and the severed heads of your enemies used to be tokens of love.
Three-hundred feet inside Gorham’s cave just east of the Strait of Gibraltar, a team of European researchers uncovered strange markings on a bedrock ledge that jutted out from the wall a few feet above the cave floor. The really strange part: The markings were very similar to our modern-day hashtag. But that’s just “scratching the surface.” On this episode, we do some digging into the mystery of the Neanderthal hashtag found carved in a cave near the Strait of Gibraltar.
On this week's episode, we’re going to explore how tuberculosis transformed the world of Victorian-era fashion. TB has a long track record of death and devastation throughout human history, but only one era romanticized it and created a fashion trend because of it: consumptive chic.
The myth of Atlantis has captivated the hearts and minds of many for over 2000 years. People work endlessly to discover the long-lost city, making guesses as to where it could have sunk and how. Could it be near the Straits of Gibraltar, in the Mediterranean Sea, or off the coast of Everglade City? Could an earthquake or volcano sink an entire civilization? Some venture to say that the Atlanteans were aliens and have long gone home to their planet. Still others believe this civilization became what we today call mermaids. On this week's episode, we travel to the depths of the ocean and try to figure out where the fabled Atlantis now rests.
Welcome to Season 6 of The Unusual History of Every Thing, where we will be revamping a few of the episodes you heard all those years ago in Season 1, and sprinkling them in with new ones. On this week's episode, we’re taking you back to Season 1, Episode 1: where we’ll show you how gnomes went from dwarves to elves to gardens.
Covid isn’t the first pandemic that we as a species have had to endure, and it won’t be the last. What we know for sure is that each one started out as either a virus or bacteria. Figuring out how to treat and/or cure them is the tricky part, and the frightening part is that viruses and bacteria were here before us, and they’ll probably still be here long after we’re gone. And our demise might just be a zombie virus – since that’s basically what viruses are: zombies.
On this mini-sode, we’re talking a bit about gum and how it has gone from a saliva stimulator to being used as a rather strange artistic medium.
If you’re as passionate about chocolate as we are about history, you know the difference between cacao percentages and why they do that in the first place. And you probably know all about where chocolate comes from. But did you know that chocolate bars in WWII were called Hitler’s Secret Weapon, or that you could actually die from too much chocolate? And why do Cadbury Eggs in America taste so different than the ones in the UK? On this mini-sode, we’re going to give you a taste of why chocolate has changed over the years, and fill you in on exactly what’s inside a Cadbury Egg.
On this mini-sode, we hop right over to Easter and the giant bunny god that comes with ancient eggs. We all know Easter for its Biblical connotations and the story of Jesus, but the Easter bunny and his eggs won’t be found in the Good Book. They are found, however, in a few historic sources, but not mentioned together until more modern times. Today, we’re going to help answer that very important question: What came first, the bunny or the eggs?
Manioc beer is a very old and still very common South American drink native to the Amazon. It may not be green beer, but it does have the potential to turn you green when you find out the key ingredient, for those of us not used to its manufacture. Some communities may even think it sexist, as this baffling brew has the distinct honor of being made mostly by women, usually only drank by men. And its main ingredient: human spit.
The shamrock is a huge part of St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, but what exactly constitutes a shamrock has had botanists debating for years. One thing they all agree on: It has 3 leaves. So what is it called if it has 4? A mutant. On this week's mini-sode we take a look at the unusual history that lurks within the mutant shamrock.
On this St. Patrick’s Day mini-sode, we uncover the history and mystery surrounding the leprechaun, and how they became protected as an endangered species. But before we get into all that, we need to understand exactly what a leprechaun is and where they came from. After hours of research into how the leprechaun became the mascot for St. Patrick’s Day, we’re still confused. They have somehow become synonymous with the “Luck of the Irish,” pots of gold at the end of a rainbow, and people dressing just like them every March 17th. But originally, the leprechaun didn’t wear green, and wasn’t really nice – but he was from Ireland, which is more than we can say about St. Patrick.
On this mini-sode, we look at lipstick’s colorful past and its connection to confessions, magic spells and the devil. Putting on the right lipstick can give a woman a sense of power and confidence that she may not have felt before, making her feel like a new-and-improved version of herself. You could say... it’s magic. Unfortunately, it was precisely that confidence and special something that women would feel that caused men in power to believe that there really was some magic in those little colored sticks. Why else would mild-mannered women behave in such an extravagant way once lipstick is applied? And who fiddles around with magic? Witches! And where does magic come from? The Devil!
In honor of Women’s History Month, we’re going to talk about some of our favorite historical women and what made them great. We’ve only been celebrating Women’s History Month in the United States since 1987, but women have been making history for thousands of years. These daring dames were breaking all kinds of barriers from ancient times to today, and despite their differences, they all have one thing in common: They weren’t going to let anyone dictate what it was to be a woman.
On this mini-sode, we take a look at how smells – both good and bad – have affected and still do affect the dating world. How many times have you heard someone say they're looking for someone they have chemistry with? That indescribable feeling two people get when they come face to face. Well, “chemistry” may be the perfect word to describe it. From armpit apples to dirty shirts, our sense of smell plays a large role in the mates we choose. Welcome to Smell Dating.
On this episode, in honor of Valentine's Day and lovers everywhere, we take a look at some of the more unique ways of expressing one’s love – and of getting rid of it. Before chocolates, texts and selfies became the norm for showing someone that you love them, people had different ideas about how to express their passions. I mean, what better way to keep you in your lover’s thoughts than to give them a part of yourself – literally. From sweat to hair, or some token of affection – or revulsion – history does a good job of proving that love really does make people do some strange things.
Sasquatch, yeti, zoobie, the wild man of Warner Springs, the Proctor Valley Monster, you name it, and the creature commonly known as Bigfoot has probably been called it. But where did this larger-than-life, ape-like man come from, and why are California, Washington and Oregon his favorite states? The belief in Bigfoot is older than most people think, and its origins might surprise you. Like most mythical creatures, it all began with a cultural belief in monsters. Click on the link below to check out our advertiser on today's show! Bigfoot Paw Animal Paw Slippers: https://amzn.to/3q8v8Og Music in this episode by: Surreal Forest by Meydän; Happy Clappy by John Bartmann Sounds FX: Monster screams by gpag1; Spooky Wind Howl by kangaroovindaloo; CWclicking by ok1has; Sci Fi Music Cue by bone666138; my alien sample by kathol
San Diego is home to many unique, historical buildings and houses, but none that compare to the magical enchantment of Villa Montezuma. The Victorian mansion was built to be a palace of the arts in the late 1800s, and has a reputation for being haunted, although those rumors don't appear to be true. What is true is that this house is a breathtaking example of architectural magnificence that gives us a glimpse into the eccentric man who designed every element, from the wood that serves as its base to the gargoyles that protect its roof. Welcome to Villa Montezuma. Click on the two links below to check out our advertisers on today's show! Blink Mini: https://amzn.to/3kbX803 Piercing the Veil Book: https://amzn.to/3ldRyvF
For many people in the world, the belief in paranormal activity is a very normal thing. From hauntings to possessions and everything in between, it seems as though death isn’t always the end. No matter where you live, you can find a house, building, park or something that has a ghost story attached to it. From haunted homes to spooky ships, there are a plethora of locations where many of the deceased call home – even if they didn’t die there. But why? Let’s look at the theories behind the ghostly activity that makes some locations a playground for the paranormal.
Welcome to Season 5, which will be dedicated to the strange histories of San Diego's people, places and things! In this episode, we look at one of the most iconic buildings in San Diego’s Gaslamp District with the most sordid history: the Louis Bank of Commerce. Located on the 800 block of 5th Avenue, the beautiful building with two towers is touted as the jewel of the Gaslamp by locals and historians of the area. Built in 1888, the bottom floor served as a bank, then later a restaurant that Wyatt Earp frequented; and the upper floors, consisting of 33 rooms, were rented out by Madam Cora, a fortune teller who must have foreseen a higher profit margin in a house of ill repute. Thus, the Golden Poppy Hotel was born, as well as the site of our story, The Madam and the Marbles.
For thousands of years, humans have been playing some type of sport that incorporates balls, whether it be for entertainment, religious ceremony or military training. It’s not only interesting to look at how these sports were created, but how the balls themselves were designed and improved upon over thousands of years. People were basically using whatever was available around them, so some of the histories can be rather gruesome. From animal bladders to human heads and the skulls of your enemies, balls back then were a little different than they are today.
Nereids, mer-people, water folk, mermaids, whatever you want to call them, all cultures around the world have within their histories some version of half-human half-fish creatures. From the German Lorelei, the Icelandic Marmenill, the Matsyanaris in India to the Babylonian fish god, the Polynesian god Vatea, or the African Yemaya, the oceans and rivers of our planet are swimming with mysterious creatures. So the next time you’re swimming in the ocean, take care! You never know who – or what – you’ll meet.
This week's podcast takes you back in time to Season 3's episode on ancient drinks! Let us take you on a quick tour of ancient drinks complete with some odd history and bits of floating lamb fat! Melanie Dellas and Karen Lacy of Muse Curatorial Consulting Group also made an accompanying video where they taste test 6 ancient recipes. Don't miss it, it's kinda gross! Watch on YouTube and let us know what you think: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TxryFVhJme0
Love is a many splendid thing, but what do you do when the one you love doesn’t love you back? Flowers? Poetry? Obsessive social media stalking? Maybe. Or you could look at what lovers throughout history have done to win the hearts of their intended: Make a love potion. Sure most love potions are made from some strange stuff like mashed-up worms or cakes made from human sweat, but hey, what wouldn’t you do for love?
Give me a word, any word, and I’ll show you how the root of that word is Greek. The Greeks get credit for the origins of the word “cosmetics,” which comes from the Greek word “kosmos” and evolved into “kosmetikos,” which basically means the art of beautifying the body. So, there you go. For thousands of years, men and women have been coming up with ways to beautify the body. And in order to look young and beautiful, no ingredient was too strange to try. From various forms of poop to crushed bugs and whale vomit, makeup and beauty regimens haven’t really changed that much -- even though companies change the names on the ingredient list!
For most of human history, childbirth has been one of the most dangerous things a woman could do. Because of this, most ancient civilizations developed ways to try and protect the mother and child. From rituals, spells and odd superstitions, they used everything they saw and could think of to induce labor, treat pains, and stop death. Fortunately we still have some of these medical manuals and can read all about drinking goose semen or being shaken to induce labor. But for all you expectant mothers out there, maybe just read them for fun. Happy Mother’s Day!
Because we are in the midst of tax season, and many of us are stressed out about that and many other things, we thought we’d try to put a smile on your face. Taxes have been around for thousands of years in almost every culture, and there have been some really strange and unusual ones. So we are here today to show you how it truly could be worse because despite how taxing tax time can be, a quick look into history and its absurd taxes, may make you feel better about how things are now –- unless you’re living in an area that still thinks some of these weird taxes are cool.
We’re a little early for National Ice Cream Day, which is July 15, but let’s face it, any day is a good day for ice cream! But have you ever stopped to think about the device that delivers those perfect round scoops into our cones? Without it, we would still be using our hands to peel the ice cream off the ladles and spoons. And a man named Alfred L. Cralle is who we have to thank for it.
The world loves and needs good inventions, I mean the wheel and the Internet are two of the best! But let’s face it, we like the strange and unusual, so we’re not going to focus on the stuff most people already know about. After hearing our list, I think we will all agree that robots feeding us tomatoes as we run and cars that shovel people out of our way are inventions that should probably be given another shot.
Shoes date back to around 8000 BC, and have been made in every shape, style and color, and with every material imaginable. They have always been an obvious form of foot protection, and have become a fashion statement, leaving cultural footprints in every society. And best of all, shoes have gathered a world of weird beliefs and strange superstitions that have transformed the way we move through our lives. So sit down, take a load off, and enjoy the uncommon history of one of our favorite common things!
Mirrors have long played a part in human history and fascination. They hold a mystical presence, connecting some with gods and others with the dead. They show us our true selves and sometimes bring out narcissism. They decorate our homes and have born witness to happiness, sadness, fear and death. From Snow White, Through the Looking Glass, The Picture of Dorian Gray, and Harry Potter, mirrors have always been entertainment for our minds, doorways to our souls, and reflections of who we are.
To chew or not to chew? Believe it or not, that has been the question when it comes to chewing gum for centuries. Although gum has been around in one form or another for thousands of years, it didn’t begin to take on its sticky, flavorful fun until the 20th century. And while some of us love how it tastes now, long ago it was a mixture of latex, dirt and bark -– a delicacy at those secret gum chewing parties! Welcome to Season 4 of Muse Stories!
Most of us know about Santa Claus and his cranky counterpart, Krampus, but did you know that Santa has several other “companions” that lurk around during the Christmas season? Many European cultures welcome good ole’ St. Nick, but they also fear the spirits who follow to punish the bad. From zombie horses to mean yule cats, some of us may have more to worry about than just Krampus!
While Christmas is typically associated with Christianity and the birth of Jesus, the Christmas tree, which tends to be the focal point of our holiday décor within the home, did not have a place in early Christianity. The symbolism of evergreen trees can be traced to the worship of the Sun God Mithras around 600 BC, and became an important aspect of the winter solstice in northern Europe. From being Paradise Trees during Miracle Plays in the 14th century, to Martin Luther using them as examples of the night sky on Christmas Eve in 1605, our love of evergreens as beautiful symbols has never ended.
The ancient origins of Thanksgiving stem from the tradition of harvest festivals stretching back long before early European colonists reached the New World. In a time when hunger was a constant threat and societies felt at the mercy of the gods, harvest celebrations and rituals were a necessary part of life. In America, we have our own family Thanksgiving traditions ranging from watching the big game to eating turkey with our family. But not all Thanksgiving traditions happen in the U.S. In some countries Thanksgiving is celebrated in a cemetery, or by playing drums to a yam. Regardless of what you do or where you do it, one thing is true for us all: It’s not how you give thanks, it’s who you do it with that counts.
For as long as there have been people, there have been periods. Not periods of time, no, I’m talking about a woman’s monthly visitor, Aunt Flow, the big red dot. And for almost as long, people have been trying to figure out ways to deal with it. From ancient rituals to using some rather odd things to plug up the situation, ancient people have been thinking about this for thousands of years -- Although you wouldn’t know it based solely on the writings they left behind. Across 4000 years of recorded history and among 6 different cultures, there is one thing they all have in common: total avoidance on the subject.
In the spirit of Halloween month, this week’s podcast is dedicated to the cultural and spiritual care of objects. Whether it’s a ritual object, a doll or something that seems as simple as a chair, the care and even disposal is an important aspect of that object’s life...and yours.
In honor of Halloween month, this week's spooky podcast is a brief overview of Karen's presentation on witches, which she presented to the San Diego County Archaeological Society and the Santee Historical Association. If you thought you knew the history of witches, think again!
San Diego's Balboa Park welcomes the new Comic-Con Museum! Join Karen Lacy as she goes "in the field" for a behind-the-scenes glance at what they will offer the public when they open in 2020!
You may think you know everything about wedding dresses: They're white and pretty, there are TV shows about choosing them, etc., but you'd be wrong! You may be surprised to know that wedding dresses have an unusual history that includes evil colors, bad fairies, bridesmaid bodyguards and keeping away trolls! That's right, trolls.
Welcome to another In the Field episode! Today Karen is interviewing one of our private clients. He came to us with his grandfather's Japanese flag from World War II. The flag needed some tender loving care, and while working on it, we discovered its unusual history.
In the last episode we talked a lot about the happier side of DNA, how our DNA is processed through various companies, and we found out what Karen was made up of! Now we are delving into the darker side: crime scenes, forensics, the Golden State Killer and even Jack the Ripper! So sit back and enjoy, but be careful: Everything you touch, everywhere you go, you leave a little piece of yourself behind.
In the last episode we gave you a little teaser into the world of DNA and what we could possibly find out about Karen's. Today we pull back the veil and tell you all the odd things we uncovered about Karen's ancestry! Could she be related to Queens? Serial killers? Find out now! You'll also get to hear all about these DNA tests, what they're all about, and what they do with our samples.
There are so many people who think they are half this and 25% that or even on that rare occasion, 100% of something. In today's world we have the ability to send our spit in the mail and 2 weeks later get the results to the age old question: Who are you? So that is exactly what we had Karen do! In this week's episode we take you step by step through the process of getting Karen's DNA into that little tube, despite her fears of having her DNA become weaponized, so we can find out what exactly she is.
Karen takes you In the Field at the Texas Archaeology Society field school she attends every year! This year they partnered with Texas State Parks & Wildlife in Palo Duro Canyon State Park to look for new sites and check on previously discovered ones. Karen and her father worked on excavating a Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) camp. The CCC was a voluntary public work relief program that operated from 1933 to 1942 in the United States for unemployed, unmarried men. So take a listen to what they found...
Welcome to our special In the Field episode of our podcast, Muse Stories: The Unusual History of Every Thing. Every so often when Karen and I are out at a special location, we will upload a shorter In the Field podcast, usually accompanied by one or more short videos. This week you are in luck because I have 3 short videos! You can watch them all on YouTube by searching Muse Stories, or go directly to our website at www.MuseCuratorial.com. In April my family and I took a trip down to Florida, where we hopped on a ship and sailed over to the Yucatan Peninsula. Docking at Costa Maya, Mexico, we drove 42 miles inland and spent the day traipsing around the gorgeous step-pyramids of the Chacchoben ancient Mayan ruins. Hear the history, watch the videos, check out our pictures on Instagram (@MuseStories) and Twitter (@Muse_Stories)!
This week's podcast takes you on a quick tour of ancient drinks complete with some odd history and bits of floating lamb fat! Melanie Dellas and Karen Lacy of Muse Curatorial Consulting Group also made an accompanying video where they taste test 6 ancient recipes. Don't miss it, it's kinda gross! Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TxryFVhJme0 Special thanks to our producer Jessica Crossman, and our director of photography Ryan Crossman!
Whether ancient or modern, there are few things that occupy our minds most of the day other than that savory first bite, or that decadent delight of dessert. For decades, archaeologists have discovered microscopic remnants of grains and other foods within vessels and around fire pits. Not only are these discoveries important to learn about the eating and drinking habits of people long gone, but genetic evidence can help us pinpoint the location for domestication of plants and animals, and it shows us just how far things were traded. From beer and wine, to bread and falooda, several archaeological discoveries in recent times have uncovered not only a desire to learn, but have awakened within us a desire to revive the recipes.
We all start out with baby teeth, but interestingly enough, only children in America believe giving their teeth to a fairy is a normal, expected, and dare I say profitable thing. Rivaled only by children’s belief in Santa and the Easter Bunny, the tooth fairy has created her own following of millions of kids –- and that number grows daily. I suppose a nice, magical fairy is more comforting to kids who are literally losing parts of their body! But where did this magical tooth-loving sprite come from? And what DOES she do with all those teeth? Digging deeper, as we always like to do, we could not find any exact parallels in other cultures for this toothy goddess. But we found many folk-tails about a Tooth Mouse!
The history of pizza is so full of yummy goodness (and a few FDA-approved bug parts), that we had to separate it into 2 parts! Bon appetit!
Welcome to Season 3 of Muse Stories! What better way to celebrate than with some pizza? From pizza ovens made from Mt. Vesuvius lava rocks to flattened teeth from harsh pizza dough grains, we serve it all up in this week's episode. We've also created 2 videos to go along with this podcast, so check them out on www.MuseCuratorial.com or search Muse Stories on YouTube!
This week's podcast is Part 2 of the panel discussion Karen and Melanie participated on at the California Association of Museums conference. The Muse Stories podcast is the audio of that discussion. Part 2 is Melanie talking about the many ways museums can protect their objects from earthquakes, water damage, fires and accidents, and a nice Q & A at the end. Enjoy!
Karen Lacy, from Muse Curatorial Consulting Group, and Barbara Forsyth, from the Mingei Museum, participate in a panel discussion at the California Association of Museums. Part 1 is Karen's presentation on the 1978 fire at the San Diego Air & Space Museum that destroyed almost all of the collection. Barbara speaks on the recent move of the Mingei's entire 26,000+ collection due to building renovations, and what they are doing now with that clean slate.
Join cultural object preservationists, Melanie Dellas and Karen Lacy, as they continue uncovering the unusual history of calendars! Special thanks to our podcast producer, Jessica Crossman. Follow us on Instagram @musestories and visit our website for all our videos and info www.MuseCuratorial.com.
No matter who we are or what we do, calendars play a major role in our lives. We organize, plan, celebrate and count down with the use of a calendar. And we’re not the first ones. Early on, the first people would measure time by observing the period of light and dark that alternated continuously. The earliest calendars were strongly influenced by the geographic location of the people who made them. Put Part 2 of this podcast into your calendar now, because Part 1 may just surprise you! Special thanks to our producer Jessica Crossman.
Once a year a special day comes and goes with either pomp and circumstance or indifference, depending on who you are. If you were an Ancient Egyptian Pharaoh, you would celebrate the day you were born as a god, not the day you were born as a man. If you were in Ancient Rome, celebrating birthdays was super cool, complete with special cakes -- but only if you were a man.
Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas from Muse Stories and Muse Curatorial Consulting Group! Because of the busy holiday season, we wanted to do a short podcast on our Christmas traditions, but we will be back in full force in January! In the meantime, stay safe, enjoy family and Happy New Year! www.MuseCuratorial.com @MuseStories
In a quaint neighborhood in San Diego, Pioneer Park is somewhere kids play and families picnic under the eucalyptus tress...not knowing that an estimated 4,000 bodies are buried in the ground beneath them. It's the perfect setting for another Poltergeist movie: They moved the tombstones, but not the bodies. Welcome to Muse Stories: The Unusual History of Every Thing, where today we take a look at the old Calvary Cemetery and its morbid history. Special thanks to our podcast producer, Jessica Crossman; and graphic designer, Tasha Hobbs. For More info, contact www.MuseCuratorial.com.
Muse Stories joins cultural object preservationists Melanie Dellas and Karen Lacy as they uncover the unusual histories of every thing. This week they explore the unusual history of doll houses. Originally designed for adults, doll houses have a long history in Western culture. Meant as displays of wealth, they have become synonymous with childhood and the acting out of domesticity. Let's explore some of the miniature houses we recently came across. Visit Muse Curatorial Consulting Group at www.MuseCuratorial.com or on Instagram @MuseStories.
Objects surround us. They are witnesses to life events, love, joy, pain and death. Can these objects absorb the energies around them, leaving a ghostly mark? Some people who work with collections think so. Do you? Join cultural object preservationists, Melanie Dellas and Karen Lacy, as they uncover the unusual histories of every thing. Special thanks to our producer, Jessica Crossman; our graphic designer, Tasha Hobbs; and our loving families. Take our poll at the end of the podcast on our Facebook page!
Throughout history people have been afraid of the unknown. The scratching on the window, the feeling of being watched, movement out of the corner of their eye. How can you protect yourself from what you can’t see? Many cultures have answered that question through the use of herbs, stones, amulets and prayers. Whatever the case may be, objects of protection are always around us. Join cultural object preservationists, Melanie Dellas and Karen Lacy, as they uncover the unusual histories of every thing. Special thanks to our producer, Jessica Crossman; our graphic designer, Tasha Hobbs; and our loving families. Take our poll at the end of the podcast on our Facebook page!
Karen interviews Gordon Permann, long-time volunteer at the San Diego Air & Space Museum Annex at Gillespie Field, on the Ryan X-13!
The unusual history of ancient bread stamps will leave a lasting impression on the way you think about our favorite carb!
Muse Stories joins cultural object preservationists Melanie Dellas and Karen Lacy as they uncover the unusual histories hidden around us. This week Karen is in Texas visiting her family, and shares with you her mom's vintage collection of Cottage Ware!
Muse Stories joins cultural object preservationists Melanie Dellas and Karen Lacy as they uncover the unusual histories hidden around us. In this week's episode, we talk about the first straw (but certainly not the last), and the development of the modern straw. We even demonstrate how to drink the Shamrock Shake the correct way!
Muse Stories joins cultural object preservationists Melanie Dellas and Karen Lacy as they uncover the unusual histories of every thing. From eradicating snakes in Ireland to drinking shamrocks in your green beer, they cover it all in this episode! If you have an object or topic you'd like Muse Stories to explore, contact them at www.MuseCuratorial.com or on Instagram @MuseStories
Muse Stories joins cultural object preservationists Melanie Dellas and Karen Lacy as they uncover the unusual histories hidden around us. In Episode 3, they take another look at Courtship, since there were so many unusual practices in various cultures. From Love Huts to sweaty handkerchiefs, Muse covers it all! If you have an object or topic you'd like researched, contact Muse Curatorial Consulting Group today at www.MuseCuratorial.com or follow us on Instagram @MuseStories.
Muse Stories joins cultural object preservationists Melanie Dellas and Karen Lacy as they uncover the unusual histories hidden around us. In episode 2, we take a look at the unusual history of courtship from various cultures and in various time periods. From fans on the cheek, to apple slices under the armpit, there's something fascinating about it all, and we talk about it! If you have a topic you'd like Muse Stories to explore, contact Muse Curatorial Consulting Group at www.MuseCuratorial.com or on Instagram @MuseStories
Muse Stories joins cultural object preservationists Melanie Dellas and Karen Lacy as they uncover the unusual histories hidden around us. In episode 1, they take a look at the unusual history of gnomes! If you have a topic you'd like Muse Stories to explore, contact Muse Curatorial Consulting Group at www.MuseCuratorial.com or on Instagram @MuseStories.