What The History

What The History

By The Rufus ProjectComedyEducationHistory
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What The History episodes

  • Bubonic Brissie and Tragic Inspiration
    In our 50th episode Suzie finds a famous disease in an unexpected place and Trevor looks at a terrible tragedy from the past that inspired something great.  What the history?
    Content warning: Murder (11:57 – 12:40) and suicide (12:59 – 13:11)
    WHAT THE HISTORY?
    Don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast, or find us on iTunes, Spotify or Stitcher.  You can check out enhanced podcasts at Rufus Project TV.  Also chat with us over on Facebook or Twitter #wthpod.
    Sources:
    THE PLAGUE IN QUEENSLAND
    Centers for
    Disease Control and Prevention 2018, ‘History of the Plague’ https://www.cdc.gov/plague/history/index.html
    Crockford T
    2018, ‘From disasters and plagues to celebrations: How Brisbane came to love
    its river’ https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/queensland/from-disasters-and-plagues-to-celebrations-how-brisbane-came-to-love-its-river-20181115-p50gc4.html
    Dawson C
    2011, ‘Brisbane’s Lost Plague Cemetery’ https://www.fosbc.com/2017/03/plague-cemetery.html
    Encyclopaedia
    Britannica 2019, ‘Alexandre Yersin’ https://www.britannica.com/biography/Alexandre-Yersin
    Fraser Coast
    Libraries 2011, ‘Black Death in Maryborough 1905’ http://fclibrarieslocalstudies.blogspot.com/2011/08/black-death-in-maryborough-1905.html
    Gerard C
    n.d., ’Bubonic Plague in Woolloongabba in 1900’ http://kangaroopointhistory.com.au/first-brisbane-case-of-bubonic-plague-in-hawthorne-street-27-april-1900/
    History.com
    2019, ‘6 Devastating Plagues’                       https://www.history.com/news/6-devastating-plagues
    Queensland
    Government – Queensland Health 2019, ‘Plague’ https://www.health.qld.gov.au/cdcg/index/plague
    Rockhampton
    Morning Bulletin 1922, ‘Plague Rat Caught in Brisbane’ https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/54029850
    The Brisbane
    Courier 1903, ‘The Closing of Colmslie Hospital’ https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/19220913
    State
    Library of Queensland 2008 and 1900, ‘Black Death in Queensland’ and ‘Bubonic
    plague in Hawthorne Street, Woolloongabba, Brisbane, Queensland, 1900‘                                                            
    http://blogs.slq.qld.gov.au/jol/2008/09/12/black-death-in-queensland/
    and  https://trove.nla.gov.au/work/153915275?q&versionId=167820089
    CAROLYN WASILEWSKI
    Death of Suspect Complicates Probe In Murder of Girl, 14 – The Dispatch Nov 12 1954 (Google News)
    Baltimore Police Hunt Girl’s Slayer – Reading Eagle Nov 10 1954 (Google News)
    Drape Grilled in Murder – The Baltimore Sun Nov 28 1954 (newspapers.com)
    Slaying of student remains mystery; Homicide: In 1954, Carolyn Wasilewski stepped out in curlers to meet a girlfriend. She never came back. – The Baltimore Sun Mar 18 2000
    Backstory: Cry-Baby and John Waters’ Journey to Broadway – Broadway Buzz Apr 3 2008
    Unsolved murder of 14-year-old girl remains a mystery after more than 60 years – Life! Death! Prizes! Jun 14 2017
    Ten Off-Screen, Off-the-Wall Facts about John Waters – New Orleans Museum of Art Aug 1 2017
    Cry-Baby (1990) – imdb.com
    Other stuff:
    The word history in the opening theme has been extracted from…
    History Never Repeats – Split Enz (1981)
    History Repeating – Propellerheads feat: Miss Shirley Bassey (1998)
    Flame Trees – Cold Chisel (1984)
    You’re History – Shakespeare’s Sister (1989)
    Centuries – Fall Out Boy (2015)
    Fade out – Fifty Years – Uncanny X-Men
    All music used under fair u
    24 min
  • Mystical Milton and The Rude Worm

    In this episode Suzie visits the most ancient modern city around and Trevor explores the murkier depths of cyber space.  What the history?

    WHAT THE HISTORY?

    Don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast, or find us on iTunes, Spotify or Stitcher.  You can check out enhanced podcasts at Rufus Project TV.  Also chat with us over on Facebook or Twitter #wthpod.

    Sources:

    MILTON KEYNES

    Destination Milton Keynes 2019, ‘101 Facts about MK’ http://www.destinationmiltonkeynes.co.uk/About-us/101-Facts-about-MK

    Jeffries S 2017, ‘50 reasons to love Milton Keynes (what, only 50?)’ https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2017/jan/20/50-reasons-love-milton-keynes-concrete-cows-wd-40

    Masters B 2015, ‘Living the dream in Milton Keynes – why it’s my kind of town’ https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2015/feb/10/living-the-dream-in-milton-keynes-why-its-my-kind-of-town

    MKInspire 2012, ‘About Milton Keynes’                                       http://www.mkinspire.org.uk/

    MK Heritage – Two Villages Archive Trust n.d, ‘Milton Keynes and Broughton Villages’ http://www.mkheritage.org.uk/tva/ and Olney & District Historical Society 2018 ‘Olney High Street Heritage Trail http://www.mkheritage.org.uk/odhs/olney-high-street-history/

    Royal Museums Greenwich n.d., ‘Equinoxes and Solstices’ https://www.rmg.co.uk/discove

    21 min
  • Mystical Milton and The Rude Worm
    In this episode Suzie visits the most ancient modern city around and Trevor explores the murkier depths of cyber space.  What the history?
    WHAT THE HISTORY?
    Don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast, or find us on iTunes, Spotify or Stitcher.  You can check out enhanced podcasts at Rufus Project TV.  Also chat with us over on Facebook or Twitter #wthpod.
    Sources:
    MILTON KEYNES
    Destination Milton Keynes 2019, ‘101 Facts about MK’ http://www.destinationmiltonkeynes.co.uk/About-us/101-Facts-about-MK
    Jeffries S 2017, ‘50 reasons to love Milton Keynes (what, only 50?)’ https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2017/jan/20/50-reasons-love-milton-keynes-concrete-cows-wd-40
    Masters B 2015, ‘Living the dream in Milton Keynes – why it’s my kind of town’ https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2015/feb/10/living-the-dream-in-milton-keynes-why-its-my-kind-of-town
    MKInspire 2012, ‘About Milton Keynes’                                       http://www.mkinspire.org.uk/
    MK Heritage – Two Villages Archive Trust n.d, ‘Milton Keynes and Broughton Villages’ http://www.mkheritage.org.uk/tva/ and Olney & District Historical Society 2018 ‘Olney High Street Heritage Trail http://www.mkheritage.org.uk/odhs/olney-high-street-history/
    Royal Museums Greenwich n.d., ‘Equinoxes and Solstices’ https://www.rmg.co.uk/discover/explore/equinoxes-and-solstices
    Sian and Jackie 2013, ‘Milton Keynes – A Modern Temple to the Sun’ http://sianandjackie.blogspot.com/
    Society X 2012, ‘The Milton Keynes Midsummer Leyline’ https://5ocietyx.wordpress.com/2012/10/24/the-milton-keynes-midsummer-ley-line-2/ and http://5ocietyx.com/MK-Midsummer-leyline-microsite/MK.htm
    The Parks Trust – Milton Keynes 2019, ‘Campbell Park’ https://www.theparkstrust.com/parks/campbell-park
    Willis J 2013, ‘There’s Something Mysterious About Milton Keynes’, The Spooky Isles                                                                                          https://www.spookyisles.com/2013/08/theres-something-mysterious-about-milton-keynes/
    THE WANK WORM
    Hack to the future – The Age (25 May 2003)
    When NASA Got WANKed – Real Clear Science (12 January 2019)
    WANK Worm – University of Hamburg
    Galileo – NASA Science – Solar System Exploration
    Other stuff:
    The word history in the opening theme has been extracted from…
    History Never Repeats – Split Enz (1981)
    History Repeating – Propellerheads feat: Miss Shirley Bassey (1998)
    Flame Trees – Cold Chisel (1984)
    You’re History – Shakespeare’s Sister (1989)
    Centuries – Fall Out Boy (2015)
    Fade out – Blossom and Blood – Midnight Oil
    All music used under fair use provisions.
    21 min
  • What The F…uture?

    For our 2018 finale Suzie and Trevor look to the past for visions of the future.  What the history?

    WHAT THE HISTORY?

    Help us keep an eye on The Gävle Goat

    Don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast, or find us on iTunes, Spotify or Stitcher.  You can check out enhanced podcasts on The Rufus Project YouTube Channel and Rufus Project TV.  Also chat with us over on Facebook or Twitter #wthpod.

    Sources:

    SUZIE’S TALES OF THE FUTURE

    Donoughue P 2018, ‘Amy Shark, 5 Seconds of Summer biggest winners at ARIA Awards, as Gurrumul, Kasey Chambers are honoured’, ABC News https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-11-28/arias-2018-highlights-and-winners-from-the-show/10558198

    Larsen E 1960, ‘The Everyday Encyclopaedia for Every Boy and Girl – The Future and You – Predictions Based on Facts of Today’ chapter, Spring Books, London, pp. 293, 296, 298, 300

    Parekah R 2012, ‘How Much of The Jetsons’ Futuristic World Has Become a Reality?’  https://adage.com/article/media/jetsons-world-a-reality/237394/

    Zealins E, Ransom R, Leavitt T et al 2016, ‘The role of stem cells in limb regeneration’, Organogenesis, 2016 Jan; 12(1): 16–27. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4882123/

    TREVOR’S TALES OF THE FUTURE

    London a Hundred Years Hence (1857) – Public Domain Review

    The Great Smog of 1952 – history.com

    Copter Cops – Modern Mechanix Blog

    Audi is starting to test its ‘all-electric flying and self-driving car’ – Electrek

    Other stuff:

    The word history in the opening theme has been extracted from…

    History Never Repeats – Split Enz (1981)

    Hi

    28 min
  • What The F…uture?
    For our 2018 finale Suzie and Trevor look to the past for visions of the future.  What the history?
    WHAT THE HISTORY?
    Help us keep an eye on The Gävle Goat
    Don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast, or find us on iTunes, Spotify or Stitcher.  You can check out enhanced podcasts on The Rufus Project YouTube Channel and Rufus Project TV.  Also chat with us over on Facebook or Twitter #wthpod.
    Sources:
    SUZIE’S TALES OF THE FUTURE
    Donoughue P 2018, ‘Amy Shark, 5 Seconds of Summer biggest winners at ARIA Awards, as Gurrumul, Kasey Chambers are honoured’, ABC News https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-11-28/arias-2018-highlights-and-winners-from-the-show/10558198
    Larsen E 1960, ‘The Everyday Encyclopaedia for Every Boy and Girl – The Future and You – Predictions Based on Facts of Today’ chapter, Spring Books, London, pp. 293, 296, 298, 300
    Parekah R 2012, ‘How Much of The Jetsons’ Futuristic World Has Become a Reality?’  https://adage.com/article/media/jetsons-world-a-reality/237394/
    Zealins E, Ransom R, Leavitt T et al 2016, ‘The role of stem cells in limb regeneration’, Organogenesis, 2016 Jan; 12(1): 16–27. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4882123/
    TREVOR’S TALES OF THE FUTURE
    London a Hundred Years Hence (1857) – Public Domain Review
    The Great Smog of 1952 – history.com
    Copter Cops – Modern Mechanix Blog
    Audi is starting to test its ‘all-electric flying and self-driving car’ – Electrek
    Other stuff:
    The word history in the opening theme has been extracted from…
    History Never Repeats – Split Enz (1981)
    History Repeating – Propellerheads feat: Miss Shirley Bassey (1998)
    Flame Trees – Cold Chisel (1984)
    You’re History – Shakespeare’s Sister (1989)
    Centuries – Fall Out Boy (2015)
    Fade out: In the year 2525 – Zager & Evans (1969)
    All music used under fair use provisions
    28 min
  • Resurrection Blues and Shock to the System

    In this episode Suzie goes in search of the Resurrection Man and Trevor tells the shocking tale of Walter Summerford.  What the history?

    WHAT THE HISTORY?

    Don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast, or find us on iTunes, Spotify or Stitcher.  You can check out enhanced podcasts on The Rufus Project YouTube Channel and Rufus Project TV.  Also chat with us over on Facebook or Twitter #wthpod.

    Sources:

    THE RESURRECTION MEN

    Bay N, Bay B 2010, ‘Greek anatomist Herophilus: the father of anatomy’, Anatomy and Cell Biology Journal, v. 43 (4); 2010 Dec, pp. 280-283 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3026179/

    Hypno C 2018, ‘The Resurrection Men – Body Snatching in 19th Century Britain’                                                         https://owlcation.com/humanities/resurrectionists-body-snatching-in-19th-century-britain

    Levinson D n.d ‘Body Snatching’  https://www.britannica.com/topic/body-snatching#ref1179705

    Ravilious K 2013, ‘Haunt of the Resurrection Men’, Archaeology Magazine,  https://www.archaeology.org/issues/89-1305/features/737-royal-london-hospital-burials

    Ruxton D 2017, ‘‘The Irish Times’ 19th century guide to digging up a dead body’ https://www.irishtimes.com/news/offbeat/the-irish-times-19th-century-guide-to-digging-up-a-dead-body-1.2953684

    Skulls in the Stars 2013, ‘The Resurrection Men: When people would kill to get into cemeteries’ https://skullsinthestars.com/2013/01/23/the-resurrection-men-when-people-would-kill-to-get-into-cemeteries/

    The Proceedings of the Old Bailey 1831, ‘John Bishop, Thomas Williams, James May. Killing: murder’ Old Bailey Online https://www.oldbaileyonline.org/browse.jsp?id=t183112

    19 min
  • Resurrection Blues and Shock to the System
    In this episode Suzie goes in search of the Resurrection Man and Trevor tells the shocking tale of Walter Summerford.  What the history?
    WHAT THE HISTORY?
    Don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast, or find us on iTunes, Spotify or Stitcher.  You can check out enhanced podcasts on The Rufus Project YouTube Channel and Rufus Project TV.  Also chat with us over on Facebook or Twitter #wthpod.
    Sources:
    THE RESURRECTION MEN
    Bay N, Bay B 2010, ‘Greek anatomist Herophilus: the father of anatomy’, Anatomy and Cell Biology Journal, v. 43 (4); 2010 Dec, pp. 280-283 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3026179/
    Hypno C 2018, ‘The Resurrection Men – Body Snatching in 19th Century Britain’                                                         https://owlcation.com/humanities/resurrectionists-body-snatching-in-19th-century-britain
    Levinson D n.d ‘Body Snatching’  https://www.britannica.com/topic/body-snatching#ref1179705
    Ravilious K 2013, ‘Haunt of the Resurrection Men’, Archaeology Magazine,  https://www.archaeology.org/issues/89-1305/features/737-royal-london-hospital-burials
    Ruxton D 2017, ‘‘The Irish Times’ 19th century guide to digging up a dead body’ https://www.irishtimes.com/news/offbeat/the-irish-times-19th-century-guide-to-digging-up-a-dead-body-1.2953684
    Skulls in the Stars 2013, ‘The Resurrection Men: When people would kill to get into cemeteries’ https://skullsinthestars.com/2013/01/23/the-resurrection-men-when-people-would-kill-to-get-into-cemeteries/
    The Proceedings of the Old Bailey 1831, ‘John Bishop, Thomas Williams, James May. Killing: murder’ Old Bailey Online https://www.oldbaileyonline.org/browse.jsp?id=t18311201-17-defend279&div=t18311201-17
    WALTER SUMMERFORD
    Paying a Divine Debt: The Unfortunate Story of Walter Summerford – Swale Life
    Walter Summerford: Everything comes in threes, no wait fours? – The Folklorist
    The British officer who was struck by lightning four separate times – The Vintage News
    Did you know that a man named Walter Summerford was struck by lightning 3 times – This Will Blow Your Mind
    Other stuff:
    The word history in the opening theme has been extracted from…
    History Never Repeats – Split Enz (1981)
    History Repeating – Propellerheads feat: Miss Shirley Bassey (1998)
    Flame Trees – Cold Chisel (1984)
    You’re History – Shakespeare’s Sister (1989)
    Centuries – Fall Out Boy (2015)
    Fade out – Shock Treatment (Shock Treatment OST)
    All music used under fair use provisions.
    19 min
  • Locksmith on the Loose and Classy and Glassy

    In this spooky episode Suzie follows the exploits of William Brodie and Trevor analyses the strange life of Charles the VI of France.  What the history?

    WHAT THE HISTORY?

    Don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast, or find us on iTunes, Spotify or Stitcher.  You can check out enhanced podcasts on The Rufus Project YouTube Channel and Rufus Project TV.  Also chat with us over on Facebook or Twitter #wthpod.

    Sources:

    WILLIAM BRODIE

    Brocklehurst S 2015, ‘The Real Jekyll & Hyde? The Deacon Brodie story’, BBC News https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-31018496

    Holland S 2018, ‘My British Adventures!’
    Johnson B n.d, ‘Deacon Brodie’, Historic UK https://www.historic-uk.com/HistoryUK/HistoryofScotland/Deacon-William-Brodie/
    Radeska T 2017, ‘Gambler William Brodie, Edinburgh’s “real” Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, had keys to every rich family’s house’, The Vintage News https://www.thevintagenews.com/2017/11/25/william-brodie-edinburghs-real-dr-jekyll-and-mr-hyde/
    Royal Mile.com n.d, ‘Brodie’s Close’ http://www.royal-mile.com/closes/close-brodies.html
    Scotland’s Pubs and Bars – A Story to Tell 2014, ‘Deacon Brodies Tavern – A story of Architecture, History and Literature’ https://www.scotlandspubsandbars.co.uk/location/deacon-brodies-tavern/
    The National Archives n.d, ‘History of HM Customs and Excise and predecessors’ http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C15703
    Undiscovered Scotland 2018, ‘Deacon Brodie’ https://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/usbiography/b/deaconbrodie.html
    Young A 2013, ‘Deacon Brodie: The Real-Life Jekyll and Hyde’, Picture Britain – One Girl’s Journey http://www.picturebritain.com/2013/02/deacon-brodie.ht

    21 min
  • Locksmith on the Loose and Classy and Glassy
    In this spooky episode Suzie follows the exploits of William Brodie and Trevor analyses the strange life of Charles the VI of France.  What the history?
    WHAT THE HISTORY?
    Don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast, or find us on iTunes, Spotify or Stitcher.  You can check out enhanced podcasts on The Rufus Project YouTube Channel and Rufus Project TV.  Also chat with us over on Facebook or Twitter #wthpod.
    Sources:
    WILLIAM BRODIE
    Brocklehurst S 2015, ‘The Real Jekyll & Hyde? The Deacon Brodie story’, BBC News https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-31018496
    Holland S 2018, ‘My British Adventures!’
    Johnson B n.d, ‘Deacon Brodie’, Historic UK https://www.historic-uk.com/HistoryUK/HistoryofScotland/Deacon-William-Brodie/
    Radeska T 2017, ‘Gambler William Brodie, Edinburgh’s “real” Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, had keys to every rich family’s house’, The Vintage News https://www.thevintagenews.com/2017/11/25/william-brodie-edinburghs-real-dr-jekyll-and-mr-hyde/
    Royal Mile.com n.d, ‘Brodie’s Close’ http://www.royal-mile.com/closes/close-brodies.html
    Scotland’s Pubs and Bars – A Story to Tell 2014, ‘Deacon Brodies Tavern – A story of Architecture, History and Literature’ https://www.scotlandspubsandbars.co.uk/location/deacon-brodies-tavern/
    The National Archives n.d, ‘History of HM Customs and Excise and predecessors’ http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C15703
    Undiscovered Scotland 2018, ‘Deacon Brodie’ https://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/usbiography/b/deaconbrodie.html
    Young A 2013, ‘Deacon Brodie: The Real-Life Jekyll and Hyde’, Picture Britain – One Girl’s Journey http://www.picturebritain.com/2013/02/deacon-brodie.html
    CHARLES VI
    The “Glass Delusion” Was The Most Popular Madness Of The Middle Ages – Gizmodo (18 Sep 2014)
    Charles VI Of France – The King Who Was Made Of Glass – Ancient Pages (22 Jan 2016)
    Charles VI of France – New World Encyclopedia (6 Feb 2017)
    The French King Who Believed He Was Made of Glass – JSTOR Daily (29 Mar 2018)
    Charles VI of France – Biography.com (2 Apr 2014)
    History’s Nutcases: Charles VI – History Things (5 Jun 2016)
    Other stuff:
    The word history in the opening theme has been extracted from…
    History Never Repeats – Split Enz (1981)
    History Repeating – Propellerheads feat: Miss Shirley Bassey (1998)
    Flame Trees – Cold Chisel (1984)
    You’re History – Shakespeare’s Sister (1989)
    Centuries – Fall Out Boy (2015)
    Fade out – Dr Heckyl and Mr Jive – Men At Work (1983)
    All music used under fair use provisions.
    21 min
  • What The Halloween 3

    In this spooky episode Suzie recounts the spooky tale of Half Hangit Maggie and Trevor examines the spooky show “Ghostwatch”.  What the history?

    Trigger warnings:

    Pregnancy and child loss – 7:21 to 8:06

    Mental health and suicide – 20:16 to 20:53

    WHAT THE HISTORY?

    Don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast, or find us on iTunes, Spotify or Stitcher.  You can check out enhanced podcasts on The Rufus Project YouTube Channel.  Also chat with us over on Facebook or Twitter #wthpod.

    Sources:

    HALF HANGIT MAGGIE

    Blanco J n.d ‘Margaret Dickson’, Murderpedia http://murderpedia.org/female.D/d/dickson-margaret.htm

    Burnett J, Craigie R 1811, ‘A treatise on various branches of the criminal law of Scotland’ p. 570
    Colville I 2010, ‘Hauf-hangit Maggie’ Dickson’ http://iainthepict.blogspot.com/2010/09/hauf-hangit-maggie-dickson.html
    The Grassmarket n.d. ‘Half Hangit Maggie’ http://www.the-grassmarket.com/history/maggie-dickson.html
    Undiscovered Scotland 2018, ‘Maggie Dickson’ https://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/usbiography/d/maggiedickson.html

    GHOSTWATCH

    Ghostwatch (1992) – IMDB

    What was Ghostwatch? – The Sun (UK)

    The BBC Halloween Hoax That Traumatized Viewers – Mental Floss

    Ghostwatch: BBC Halloween spoof that ‘gave children PTSD’ turns 25 – The Independent

    29 min

About What The History

From the publisher's feed

Join Trevor and Suzie Holland for tasty bits of bite sized bizarre history