Mistakes Were Made

The Chicago L has had a pretty good safety record throughout history, but when they make a mistake it's a big one. This week we cover from the very first derailment to the O'hare blue line crash.

"In the late 19th century Chicago was the fastest-growing city in the country. The downtown became increasingly congested with horses, carts, and carriages. Residents realized that they needed a better, more organized form of transportation in the city. On June 6th, 1892 a steam locomotive pulling four wooden coaches on a raised elevated platform departed the 39th Street station traveled 3.6 miles and arrived at the Congress Street Terminal 14 minutes later. It was the first ever Chicago L train journey. The train was an instant hit with locals. A reporter for the Chicago Tribune noted one of the "L"'s most distinguishing features was its usefulness to all citizens of the city. He pointed out the variation of the passengers, from members of "the lunch pail crowd" to passengers "resembling gentlemen."" (more on the podcast)

Thomas Midgley Jr. was once hailed as a brilliant inventor—the mind behind leaded gasoline and Freon. Unfortunately, his “genius” inventions also poisoned the world and wrecked the ozone layer. Comedians Robert Bacon and Mike Kauffman dig into the unbelievable story of how one man caused two of the biggest environmental disasters in history—all while thinking he was saving humanity. It’s a tale of innovation, ignorance, and irony so wild you’ll swear it’s fiction.Keywords for SEO:
Thomas Midgley Jr podcast, leaded gasoline history, Freon invention, environmental disasters, weird history podcast, Mistakes Were Made podcast, science gone wrong, history comedy, pollution history, inventor mistakes.

NOTE: MOST WAS WRITTEN BY ROSS POMEROY FOR “REAL CLEAR SCIENCE”

Thomas Midgley, Jr. was born on May 18, 1889 in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, a quiet, comely river town 31 miles northwest of Pittsburgh. A curious, athletic, and affable lad, Thomas flourished under the tutelage of his inventor father. He would later attend Cornell University, where he received a degree in mechanical engineering. It was here that Thomas took to carrying a periodic table with him at all times, a tool that would prove much more useful to him than a mechanic's wrench. (more on the podcast)

In 1827 the owner of a nearby hotel, William Forsyth, staged the first tourist stunt at Niagara Falls by sending a lake schooner (that’s a large boat with two masts) with a cargo of live animals over the Falls. He filled it with a buffalo, two small bears, two raccoons, and a dog. Some reports say two fox, fifteen geese, and an eagle were also included. After the schooner was sent adrift, the two bears jumped free and swam to safety. The rest of the animals, with the exception of the goose, perished going over the Falls. (MORE ON THE PODCAST)

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