In 1770, a Hungarian inventor revealed a chess playing automaton that puzzled the world. No one could figure out how it worked as it toured the world and defeated numerous historical figures and chess masters. It's secrets were almost lost to history, but thankfully we know how it worked. Let me share this incredible story with you!

Follow us on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/fantastichpod/) , TikTok (https://www.tiktok.com/@fantastichistorypodcast) and YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeGGchirsGO1bMzKxosclpw) for extra content and updates!

Email us with questions/suggestions at [email protected] (mailto:[email protected])

Fantastic History merch is available Here (https://www.etsy.com/shop/RainyDayCornerstore)!

Music: Order by ComaStudio (http://pixabay.com/users/comastudio-26079283/) (royalty free)

This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Death threats against babies, serial killer queens, Viking raids, and taxation without intoxication - this week, Sarah talks about the often-gruesome true stories behind some of the most popular nursery rhymes.

Sources:

• https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/55035/dark-origins-11-classic-nursery-rhymes
• https://bookriot.com/nursery-rhyme-origin-stories/
• https://www.todayifoundout.com/index.php/2015/02/origin-rock-bye-baby/
• https://steemit.com/parenting/@redwellies/dark-disturbing-and-somewhat-horrible-the-history-and-origins-of-nursery-rhymes-3-mary-mary-quite-contrary
• https://steemit.com/parenting/@redwellies/dark-disturbing-and-somewhat-horrible-the-history-and-origins-of-nursery-rhymes-1-three-blind-mice
• https://www.timeout.com/london/blog/most-googled-why-did-london-bridge-fall-down-111116
• https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/muffin-man-song-serial-killer/

Follow us on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/fantastichpod/) , TikTok (https://www.tiktok.com/@fantastichistorypodcast) and YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeGGchirsGO1bMzKxosclpw) for extra content and updates!

Email us with questions/suggestions at [email protected] (mailto:[email protected])

Fantastic History merch is available Here (https://www.etsy.com/shop/RainyDayCornerstore) !

Music: Order by ComaStudio (http://pixabay.com/users/comastudio-26079283/) (royalty free)

This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Let's explore the bizarre CIA project that tried to confirm and weaponize psychic phenomena.

Sources:

• https://irp.fas.org/program/collect/stargate.htm
• https://www.cia.gov/readingroom/docs/CIA-RDP96-00789R002100180002-8.pdf
• https://www.cia.gov/readingroom/docs/CIA-RDP96-00788R001500020010-4.pdf
• https://slate.com/technology/2017/03/did-the-cia-really-astrally-project-to-mars-in-1984.html
• https://www.cia.gov/readingroom/docs/CIA-RDP96-00788R001900760001-9.pdf

Follow us on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube for extra content and updates!

Email us with questions/suggestions at [email protected]

Fantastic History merch is available Here!

Music: Order by ComaStudio (royalty free)

They're baaaaaack! In the kickoff to season two, Sarah presents the not-quite-love story of F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald, with a particular focus on their time in Asheville, North Carolina. This warm and fuzzy, feel-good story discusses substance abuse, abandonment, neglect, mental health struggles, and suicidal ideation, so listen with caution.

Sources:

• https://www.npr.org/2013/09/03/216164420/for-f-scott-and-zelda-fitzgerald-a-dark-chapter-in-asheville-n-c
• https://blueridgecountry.com/archive/favorites/fitzgeralds-asheville-days/
• “Zelda; a biography” by Nancy Milford

Sarah's book is now available!

Follow us on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube for extra content and updates!

Email us with questions/suggestions at [email protected]

Fantastic History merch is available Here!

Music: Order by ComaStudio (royalty free)

Today we're talking about the Seven Wonders! Why there were built, why all but one do not exist anymore, and why it's so Greek.

Follow us on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube for extra content and updates!

Email us with questions/suggestions at [email protected]

Fantastic History merch is available Here!

Please subscribe and leave a review!

Music: Order by ComaStudio (royalty free)

This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

We've got a story we know you haven't heard; it's not even on Wikipedia! This week, Sarah shares the tragic story of the only accused witch to ever be burned to death in the United States.

Follow us on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube for extra content and updates!

Email us with questions/suggestions at [email protected]

Please subscribe and leave a review!

Sources:

• https://battletownwitch.com/the-story-of-leah/
• https://fox56news.com/news/kentucky/leah-smock-the-battletown-witch-the-first-witch-burned-alive-in-kentucky/

Music: Order by ComaStudio (royalty free)

This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Ignaz Semmelweis is remembered by history as a pioneer of prophylaxis, a champion of sanitation and a David standing against the Goliath of antiquated and incorrect theories on how disease formed and spread. But in his time, he was simply a doctor who wanted to save mothers' lives who were dying in his maternity clinic. Through his hard work and the adoption of his techniques, he saved millions of lives. And his reward for doing so was the destruction of his career, his reputation and his sanity.

Follow us on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube for extra content and updates!

Email us with questions/suggestions at [email protected]

Fantastic History merch is available Here!

Please subscribe and leave a review!

Sources

• “The Etiology, Concept, and Prophylaxis of Childbed Fever” by Ignaz Semmelweis
• “Genius Belabored: Childbed Fever and the Tragic Life of Ignaz Semmelweis” by Theodore G. Obenchain
• “Immortal Magyar: Semmelweis, conqueror of childbed fever” by Frank Slaughter

Music: Order by ComaStudio (royalty free)

Ignaz Semmelweis is remembered by history as a pioneer of prophylaxis, a champion of sanitation and a David standing against the Goliath of antiquated and incorrect theories on how disease formed and spread. But in his time, he was simply a doctor who wanted to save mothers' lives who were dying in his maternity clinic. Through his hard work and the adoption of his techniques, he saved millions of lives. And his reward for doing so was the destruction of his career, his reputation and his sanity.

Follow us on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube for extra content and updates!

Email us with questions/suggestions at [email protected]

Fantastic History merch is available Here!

Please subscribe and leave a review!

Sources

• “The Etiology, Concept, and Prophylaxis of Childbed Fever” by Ignaz Semmelweis
• “Genius Belabored: Childbed Fever and the Tragic Life of Ignaz Semmelweis” by Theodore G. Obenchain

Music: Order by ComaStudio (royalty free)

The "Battle" of May Island is a testament to desire for more power and speed at the cost of reason. The Royal Navy's K-Class submarines were supposed to be the next evolution in naval combat, but they were difficult to control, miserable to be inside of and prone to errors. On what was supposed to be a training exercise in the North Sea, a small error resulted in one of the most catastrophic disasters in Naval history and a staggeringly high death toll considering that not a single enemy participated. Join us as we talk all about this unbelievable story.

Follow us on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube for extra content and updates!

Email us with questions/suggestions at [email protected]

Fantastic History merch is available Here!

Please subscribe and leave a review!

Sources:

• https://www.westernfrontassociation.com/world-war-i-articles/the-battle-of-may-island-january-1917-and-k-class-submarines-of-the-first-world-war/
• https://navyhistory.au/the-battle-of-may-island/
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZS0RpOgdfQ&

Music: Order by ComaStudio (royalty free)

In part two of our look into the Trials of the Century, we have an insane government-versus-unions case that features several Fantastic History alumni. Then, Sarah discusses a Massachusetts-based case (BUM BUM BUM) that caused riots around the world - more than once!

Follow us on Instagram & TikTok for extra content and updates!

Email us with questions/suggestions at [email protected]

Fantastic History Stickers available Here!

Please subscribe and leave a review!

Sources

• https://blogs.loc.gov/headlinesandheroes/2020/09/trials-of-the-century-1900-to-1950/
• https://famous-trials.com/Haywood
• https://www.famous-trials.com/saccovanzetti/766-home

Music: Order by ComaStudio (royalty free)