Our Fake History – Historical Myths Relished and Ruined!

At the outbreak of First World War airplanes were still a novelty on the battlefield. Originally planes were used for reconnaissance and the pilots were usually unarmed. This quickly changed and soon airplanes were being outfitted with machine guns and tasked specifically with destroying enemy aircraft. Fighter pilots were a new type of warrior, but ironically they started to be described in medieval terms. Stories began to appear in the wartime press about acts of courtesy between enemy pilots. Soon propagandists were claiming that airmen were “knights of the air” bound by an unwritten code of chivalry. The image of the daring and gentlemanly “flying ace” proved to be incredibly effective recruitment tool. Were the stories of gallantry in the sky little more than wartime propaganda, or was there something to the image of the gentleman-pilot? Continue reading “Episode #252 – Were the Knights of the Air a Myth? (Part I)” →

Bonus Episode – Roman Bondage, Voodoo Macbeth, and Bunga Bunga

In this bonus episode Sebastian takes questions about episode 249, 250, and 251. First, he does his best to grapple with how morality should factor into history education. Then a listener provides an epic email about Orson Welles’ legendary production of “Voodoo Macbeth” and cursed run of Romeo and Juliet. Finally, Sebastian looks at the weird legacy of the phrase “bunga bunga.” (more…)

Episode #251 – What Was the Dreadnought Hoax?

When the HMS Dreadnought was launched in 1906 it completely revolutionized naval warfare. It made all previous ships obsolete and helped spur an arms race between Britain and Germany. For many the Dreadnought was symbol of the militarism that was sweeping Europe before World War One. Then in 1910 the ship was targeted by pranksters, who managed to get access to Dreadnought by impersonating Abyssinian (Ethiopian) royalty. The pranksters wore gaudy theatre costumes and blackface make-up. Despite this, they still somehow managed to fool the Dreadnought’s officers. In the years since the prank many have debated it’s significance. Some have argued that the prank was anti-authoritarian and anti-imperialist, but does that give the pranksters too much credit? Was the Dreadnought Hoax little more than a racist stunt meant to build the clout of England’s most infamous hoaxer? (more…)

Episode #250 – Is Macbeth Cursed?

Every theatre kid can tell you that Shakespeare’s Tragedy of Macbeth is a cursed play. Some believe that even saying the name of the play in a theatre where it is not being performed can jinx a production. Stories of misfortune, injury, and death haunt productions of Macbeth like the ghost of a slain friend. It has been suggested that the curse of Macbeth goes all the way back to it’s first performance in 1606. However, evidence of this is sketchy at best. When did people start believing that there was a hex on Macbeth? Does it date to the 17th century or is something else going on here? (more…)

Episode #249 – Who Built Rome? (ft. Dr. Emma Southan)

The Roman Empire is often remembered for it’s grand works of architecture and formidable military. However, for most of its history Rome’s economy was underpinned by the labour of millions of individuals who had been forced into slavery. Despite the fact that enslaved people quite literally built Rome, their lives were rarely recorded by the ancient historians. In her new book Not Built In a Day historian Emma Southan seeks to bring new attention to Rome’s relationship with slavery. Dr. Southan joins Sebastian for a wide ranging chat about Rome’s addiction to bondage and the lives of people caught up in the this brutal institution. (more…)

Bonus Episode – Minor Miners, Activist Entertainers, and Spanish Painters

In this bonus episode Sebastian takes question from the listeners about the recent episodes on Henry Box Brown and Snow White. First, we hear some comments from a listener in Iceland who wanted to weigh in on the North American Vikings. Then Sebastian unpacks some tricky questions about the line between activism and entertainment. Finally the host muses about the Mandela Effect and considers an interesting question about little people who were known to serve at the Hapsburg court. (more…)

Episode #248 – Was There a Real Snow White?

The Brothers Grimm once wrote that “Snow White” was Germany’s best known folktale. When the beloved fairytale served as the inspiration for the famous 1937 Disney film the story reached new levels of international recognition. There are many elements of the Snow White tale that seem to be timeless mythic tropes, but there are some in Germany who believe that the character may have been based on a real person. The hunt for the real Snow White has been complicated by pranksters and satirists who have been spoofing the world of “fairytale archaeology” for decades. Is there anything to the theory that Snow White was a real German noblewoman, or is it just an elaborate joke? (more…)

Episode #247 – Was Box Brown Magically Emancipated?

One of the most celebrated stories from the Underground Railroad is that of Henry Box Brown, the man who mailed himself to freedom. In 1849 Henry Brown successfully had himself shipped out of slavery in a packing crate from Richmond, Virginia, to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Brown’s ingenious and audacious escape from slavery immediately caught the attention of abolitionists all over the country. The story of his escape was not only exciting, it was deeply symbolic, and proved a powerful tool that could draw people into the anti-slavery movement. Box Brown soon became one the most sought after speakers on the abolitionist lecture circuit. However, Henry Brown was not content to remain a typical anti-slavery lecturer. He was soon creating elaborate multimedia shows that incorporated music, moving panoramas, and stage magic. (more…)