The Life of Marvel "Jack" Whiteside Parsons is an incredible one. He is the true Godfather of rocket science, for without his drive, imagination and reckless behavior, we might never have gotten to the moon. Well that's not entirely true, since we did import a bunch of Nazi scientists during Project Paperclip who were vital in getting man into space, but I digress. He was invaluable in launching the American rocket program, along with his childhood friend Ed Foreman, and Caltech buddy Frank Molina. These three were the core group known as the Suicide Squad and through their dangerous antics, cemented themselves into Caltech lore. Jack also established himself up as an explosions expert in a major car bombing case in LA, as a leader in a mystic organization headed by Aleister Crowley, and as a staple in the budding world of Science Fiction, rubbing elbows with L. Ron Hubbard! I sit down with Strange Angel author George Pendle, and we discuss all of this, as well as the beginning of JPL, Film Noir, and Chinese Emperors.

The Life of Marvel "Jack" Whiteside Parsons is an incredible one. He is the true Godfather of rocket science, for without his drive, imagination and reckless behavior, we might never have gotten to the moon. Well that's not entirely true, since we did import a bunch of Nazi scientists during Project Paperclip who were vital in getting man into space, but I digress. He was invaluable in launching the American rocket program, along with his childhood friend Ed Foreman, and Caltech buddy Frank Molina. These three were the core group known as the Suicide Squad and through their dangerous antics, cemented themselves into Caltech lore. Jack also established himself up as an explosions expert in a major car bombing case in LA, as a leader in a mystic organization headed by Aleister Crowley, and as a staple in the budding world of Science Fiction, rubbing elbows with L. Ron Hubbard! I sit down with Strange Angel author George Pendle, and we discuss all of this, as well as the beginning of JPL, Film Noir, and Chinese Emperors.

*BONUS EPISODE*

Steve hangs out to talk about how these Barb Wire Barons put aside their differences, and combine their influence & resources to bring a major university to DeKalb Illinois. If that wasn't enough, we also talk about how Governor John Altgeld thought public building were so unpleasing to the eye that they were an insult to the people of Illinois! Every building built under his administration was constructed to look like a castle.

*BONUS EPISODE*

Steve hangs out to talk about how these Barb Wire Barons put aside their differences, and combine their influence & resources to bring a major university to DeKalb Illinois. If that wasn't enough, we also talk about how Governor John Altgeld thought public building were so unpleasing to the eye that they were an insult to the people of Illinois! Every building built under his administration was constructed to look like a castle.

In my days at Northern Illinois University, I learned that DeKalb, IL was ground zero for barbed wire. At the time, I had no idea how historically important this was, but especially after learning about the Wild West, I came to realize that barbed wire made living on the open range possible. No one knows more about DeKalb history than Steve Bigolin. Of course we chat about the Big Three Barb Wire Barons (Jacob Haish, Joseph Glidden, Issac Ellwood), but we also discuss early patents, how to turn a barbed wire fence in to a telephone, a heist that saw a priceless historic piece of barbed wire stolen, and how one of their historic mansions was bulldozed to make way for a church parking lot!

In my days at Northern Illinois University, I learned that DeKalb, IL was ground zero for barbed wire. At the time, I had no idea how historically important this was, but especially after learning about the Wild West, I came to realize that barbed wire made living on the open range possible. No one knows more about DeKalb history than Steve Bigolin. Of course we chat about the Big Three Barb Wire Barons (Jacob Haish, Joseph Glidden, Issac Ellwood), but we also discuss early patents, how to turn a barbed wire fence in to a telephone, a heist that saw a priceless historic piece of barbed wire stolen, and how one of their historic mansions was bulldozed to make way for a church parking lot!

Texas State Historian Bill O'Neal sticks around to talk about the end of the west. We get into the Outlaw/Lawman Jim Plummer and how he worked both sides of the law with a group called The Innocents, as well as The Last Gunfight, and the Last Great Stagecoach Robbery.

Texas State Historian Bill O'Neal sticks around to talk about the end of the west. We get into the Outlaw/Lawman Jim Plummer and how he worked both sides of the law with a group called The Innocents, as well as The Last Gunfight, and the Last Great Stagecoach Robbery.

I have always loved the Wild West. I don't know if it is the struggle against lawlessness, vigilante justice, gold prospecting, ghost towns, showdowns at high noon, snake oil salesmen, railroad tycoons, or riding a horse everywhere you go. I am sure it is one of those, or the perfect combination of all. The true encapsulation of this era are the various personalities that flavored the myths and legends. I get into some of the greats with Bill O'Neal, the official historian for the great state of Texas. We talk about the the first quick-draw showdown, popularized by "Wild Bill" Hickok, how Doc Holliday was a real dentist but not a great gunslinger, and I postulate that "Killin" Jim Miller was the Wild West's first real serial killer!

I have always loved the Wild West. I don't know if it is the struggle against lawlessness, vigilante justice, gold prospecting, ghost towns, showdowns at high noon, snake oil salesmen, railroad tycoons, or riding a horse everywhere you go. I am sure it is one of those, or the perfect combination of all. The true encapsulation of this era are the various personalities that flavored the myths and legends. I get into some of the greats with Bill O'Neal, the official historian for the great state of Texas. We talk about the the first quick-draw showdown, popularized by "Wild Bill" Hickok, how Doc Holliday was a real dentist but not a great gunslinger, and I postulate that "Killin" Jim Miller was the Wild West's first real serial killer!