Coffee With Jeff

You can find my first show here! https://share.transistor.fm/s/549c839a★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

A machine was created in the early 1960s, that for a few coins, could create a toy right before a child's eyes. They were coin-operated machines that would mold out of plastic, things like little dinosaurs, dolphins, alligators, NASA's Space Lab,  a space capsule, and even presidential busts. It was called Mold-A-Rama, created by a man who originally wanted nothing more than a replacement for a Christmas decoration. On this show, I have the story of the Mold-a-Rama, as well as vending machines and pinball.Links to the sources I used to write this story:Mold-A-RamaA Brief History of Mold-A-Rama - Mental FlossThe Story of Mold-A-Rama, Chicago's Very Own Souvenir Machine - WTTWMold-A-Rama and its Quincy connection — Herald-WingReplication Devices - Miniaturized Plastic Injection FactoriesVending MachinesOld World, High Tech - SmithsonianThe History of Book Vending Machines - Atlantic VendingThe great vending machine book by Colmer, MichaelHugh Moore Dixie Cup Company CollectionPinballA BRIEF HISTORY OF THE SILVER BALLBrief History of Pinball - Princeton University★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

There once was a man who was part of a secret government experiment that involved mind-altering drugs. He wrote two classic novels before he was thirty. But of all the things he did, he said the thing he was most proud of was a bus. He took a group of friends across the country and back. They were known as the Merry Pranksters, and they went on a quest to freak out American and introduce it to LSD, Today I have the story of the amazing Ken Kesey.Links to the sources I used to write this short tale:Merry Pranksters - WikipediaKen Kesey - WikipediaThe Oregon Experience - Ken Kesey (PBS)Tripping (1999 Ken Kesey / Merry Pranksters documentary)University of Virginia Library - Ken Kesey★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Here are the links to the sources I used to write today's story.Kitty GenoveseThe Murder of Kitty Genovese - Wikipedia Psychology Today - Bystander EffectThe History Channel - Kitty GenoveseBiography - Kitty GenoveseWinston Moseley, Who Killed Kitty Genovese, Dies in Prison at 81Princess AnnHow I took 3 bullets for Princess Anne  (YouTube)The Bloody Attempt to Kidnap a British Princess - SmithsonianAnne, Princess Royal - WikipediaPrincess Anne kidnap attempt, 1974 (vimeo)Daily Mail - Crazed gunman who tried to kidnap Princess Anne★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

There once was a man who, in the early 19th century, spent the last 19 years of his life living in a cave-like a hermit, only contacting other humans when it was only necessary. The man had given up on the world due to personal tragedy. It was a strange, almost too weird to be true story tale. An unmarried woman convicted of murdering her own children and the brother who fought to prove her innocence. This is the story of The Pennsylvania Hermit!Links to the sources I used to write this episode!William "Amos" Wilson - WikipediaThe Pennsylvania hermit. A narrative of the extraordinary life of Amos WilsonThe Hanging and the Hermit: The Tragic Timing of William WilsonThe Pennsylvania Hermit: The Woeful Tale of a Grieving Brother's Broken-hearted Hermitage★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

There once was a talented 4-year-old that became a star in the movies. He could sing and act and looked cute as a button. But as he grew into adulthood, he has issues with relationships, authorities, and drugs. The story is about Scotty Beckett, who started on the Our Gang shorts and went on to play a character named Winky before…. Links to the Sources I used to write this thrilling episode:Scotty Beckett - WikipediaMost of the information came from looking through old newspapers from newspapers.com★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

In this episode, I have three stories of incredible women.  Story one is about Susanna M. Salter, the first Mayor in the USA, the second, Helen Hulick, a lady who defied a court order for her own ideals, and the third, Juliane Koepcke's amazing story of survival. I hope you enjoy it!Sources for the Susanna M. Salter StoryThe American Women's Rights Movement by Paul D. BuchananWoman's Christian Temperance Union - History.comSusanna Madora Salter - KansapediaSusanna Madora Salter First Woman Mayor - Kansas Historical SocietySources for the Helen Hulick StoryHelen Beebe - WikipediaWomen in Pants - SeamworkKindergarten teacher jailed for wearing pants to court in 1938Sources for the Juliane Koepcke StoryJuliane Koepcke - WikipediaJuliane Koepcke: How I survived a plane crash - BBCJuliane Koepcke Who Survived For 11 Days (Herzog Doc)Survivor still haunted by 1971 air crash - CNNAnd for all three of these stories, I used Newspapers.com★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

There once was a man who was strained on a deserted island for a long, long, time. Every day his beard grew longer, and his clothes deteriorated. His only friends were the goats and cats that shared who he sang and danced to. He lived alone with his thoughts for four and a half years, every day watching the sea looking for rescue. The year was 1704 and one man would be left by a privateering ship and, for over four years would learn to be a better person, Today I have the story of Scottish sailor and castaway Alexander Selkirk.Link to the Sources I used to write this exciting, true tale:Alexander Selkirk - WikipediaWar of the Spanish Succession -  BritannicaAn 18th Century Voyage of DiscoveryThe Real Robinson Crusoe - VideoWho was Alexander Selkirk?: Survivor on a Desert Island by Amanda MitchisonA Cruising Voyage Round the World by Woodes RogersThe Life and Adventures of Alexander Selkirk by John Howell★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

There once was a man who became The King of Western Swing. He was a fiddle player with his own band who was starring in movies, had his own radio and television shows, had a beautiful young wife and three children. But he also had a dark side. He drank and was known to have angry outbursts. In 1961, his demons got the best of him and it resulted in a tragedy. It was murder! Today I bring you the dark story of a fiddle player named Spade Cooley.  Links to the sources I used to write today's storyThe Jazz of the Southwest: An Oral History of Western Swing By Jean A. BoydSpade Cooley: Western Swing's Killer CowboyForgotten Hollywood Scandals That Would Still Stun the World TodayBakersfield's trial of the century: The talented and tormented Spade CooleyMOOD SWING by Steve GerkinPeople v. CooleySpade Cooley BY David KrajicekSpade Cooley - Wikipedia★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

There is a small nation about 7 and a half miles off the coast of England that has survived for more than 50 years. It has a normal population of around 2, about sometimes as many as 50 have lived there. This is the story of an unrecognized country on a World War Two anti-aircraft platform off the coast of Suffolk, England. It was created by an ex-pirate radio owner. Today I bring you episode 226, the astonishing story of the Principality of Sealand.The Sources I used to Write this Wonderful storyPirate radio in the United Kingdom - WikipediaKnock John ... A Brief HistoryNBR - The Pirate Prince Of Sealand, RememberedThe Atlantic - THE PINT-SIZE NATION OFF THE ENGLISH COASTOff Shore Radio - The Radio Essex StoryBusiness Insider - Welcome to SealandThe San Diego Union-Tribune ‘Prince Roy of Sealand' Roy Bates dead at 91East Anglian Daily Times - Sealand, sovereign state off Suffolk coastline, to mark its 50th anniversary with Essex dinnerThe Principality of Sealand - Wikipedia★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

This episode 225, I talk about a possible alien visitation witnessed by 100s of Australian students and a few teachers back in the spring of 1966. Not only was there a UFO sighting, but also a large government cover-up and even one child's disappearance. To the best of my understanding, this is the story that happened more than 50 years ago, 20 minutes or so, that would change many people's lives forever. The links to the sources I used to write this show!Phenomena Magazine - Issue 024 - April 2011PROJECT 1947Skeptoid by Brian Dunning - The Westall '66 UFOThe Westall ‘UFO' incident still remains a mystery 50 years after it occurredWestall UFO Encounter 1966 Australia NSWMelbourne UFO Mystery: 50 Years On | Studio 10★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

The year was 1872, more than two decades after the start of the California gold rush! The nation was just waiting for the next big wonderful thing. Two uneducated miners, Philip Arnold and John Slack gave the people just what they were hoping. Today I bring you the astonishing story of the great diamond hoax!Link to the sources I used to write this adventure:Diamonds in the Salt by Bruce Albert WoodardWyoming State Historical Society - The Diamond Hoax: a Bonanza That Never WasSmithsonian Magazine - The Great Diamond Hoax of 1872Great Diamond Hoax - WikipediaNovember 26, 1872: Great Diamond Hoax Exposed★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

This podcast is the story of a man who wrote and directed three films in the 1960s, and, unfortunately, all three are considered some of the worse films ever made. Yes, today I tell you the very incomplete story of a man who came from a small town in Oklahoma to make it as an actor in Hollywood. His name was Coleman Francis.Links to the Sources I used to write this amazing show:Coleman Francis - WikipediaThe Astounding B Monster Archive - Interview with Anthony Cardoza by Tom Weaver★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

This podcast is the yarn of an Arizona stagecoach robbery in 1899 by a woman named may or may not have been Pearl Hart, who may or may not have been from Canada. A story that asked a lot of questions that have no answers, and for that, I apologize in advance. Enjoy!Links to the sources I used to write this episode.Legends of America - Pearl Hart – Lady Bandit of ArizonaChronicle of the Old West - Pearl Hart (Video)Pearl Hart - WikipediaPearl Hart: Smooth-talking card shark led Pearl's slide to perditionArizona Territory, 1863-1912: A Political History by Jay J. Wagoner★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

This is episode 221. In 1962, Herk Harvey saw a strange sight in Salt Lake City and was inspired to make a film called Carnival of Souls. It was a film made with a micro-budget, mostly filmed in Lawrence, Kansas with a little more in Utah. After being ripped off by a distribution company, the film fell into obscurity only to become a cult classic in the late 1980s. LInks to the Sources I used to write this exciting episode:Interview with Carnival of Souls' director Herk Harvey (YouTube)Centron Films Camera - KansaspediaIt Came from Horrorwood: Interviews with Moviemakers in the SF and Horror By Tom WeaverI Was a Monster Movie Maker By Tom WeaverHerk Harvey 1983 (YouTube)Carnival of Souls (Wikipedia)Herk Harvey (Wikipedia)★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

This is episode 220. Today I bring you the story of the Salem Witch Trials. There are so many things I found that I didn’t know about these dark moments in history. The events began in 1692 by an 8 and 11-year-old but the seeds of this injustice began years earlier. What could possibly cause people to hang so many people of their own community!

This is episode 219 and today I bring you the story of the Amazing Ruth Gordon. Most know were from the films she was in in the late 60s and 1970s. The thing is, Ruthie had an over 50-year acting career before most moviegoers heard of her. She was a writer as well. Oh, did I mention she asked to have both her legs broken and they were?

This is episode 218 and today I bring you the story of the Amazing Texas Guinan, a woman born in 1884 that was a stage and film star but really became known as a highly popular nightclub hostess during the Prohibition era. Oh, and one thing about Texas, you can’t believe a thing she said about herself. What is the truth about her life? Maybe I got some of it right.

In this episode, I bring you two older shows, both from 2015. The shows were a lot shorter back then. The first part is the tale of Elsie Wright, Frances Griffiths, and the Cottingley Fairies. These were photos two young girls took of fairies. The second part is the story of William H. Mumler who took pictures of the ghost of Abraham Lincoln and well as many dead American Civil War soldiers.

This is episode 216 and today I bring you The legend of the death of Paul McCartney. Yes, there are people even today that believe the man died back in 1966 or 1967. They say he was replaced by a look-a-like and that the surviving Beatles began leaving clues to what they had done. Why would they leave clues? Maybe we can find out. So, is Pau McCartney l dead? Find out!

This is the story of a tragedy known as The New York Zoo hoax, a hoax because not only was no one dead or injured, but all the animals were still locked safely in their cages.

Gordon and Nancy Frye chat about six of their favorite historical films, with a few bonus mentions.

A short history of questionable elections in United States history, featuring Gordon Frye.

In 1888, Nellie Bly decided to take a working vacation, a trip around the world. Not only would she write about her adventures, but she would also try to complete the journey in under 80 days, beating the time of Jules Verne’s fictional hero, Phileas Fogg. This episode is the story of her journey.

This is the story of a young, pretty woman in the latter half of the nineteenth century who oddly had no desire to get married, have kids, or run a household. She became a pioneering reform-minded journalist, exposing many injustices and corruption in American Society. A muckraker who did many amazing things. Born Elizabeth Jane Cochran, most know her as Nellie Bly and today I have part one of her story, featuring the amazing voice of Nancy Frye as Nellie Bly.

On this special Halloween edition of CWJ, I present two true stories of Serial killer. First, in 1880, Catherine and Margaret Flannagan found a great way to make extra cash, it just took a little arsenic. The second tale is the story of a nurse who they called Jolly Jane in 1901. Jane really took care of those she was looking after!

This episode is the second part of the story of Daniel Sickle, a very unusual man that lived in the ninetieth century. Dan was disgraced for forgiving his wife for having an affair, so he thought the best thing to do was be a General in the American Civil War! This story is only one of many adventures of the man called an American Scoundrel.

This episode is the first part of the story of Daniel Sickle, a very unusual man that lived in the ninetieth century. In 1859 he shot and killed a man in front of the White House in Washington DC in front of several witnesses and got away with it. And it was only one of many adventures of the man called an American Scoundrel.

There's nothing new under the sun, especially when it comes to high-stakes politics, and things really get crazy when an outsider throws their hat in the ring!

Back in the early 1950s, there was a race to discover DNA. When it was over, three men would be awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. Overlooked at the time was a remarkable chemist and crystallographer Rosalind Franklin. Today I have this woman’s story!

This is the story of Dr. Thomas S. Harvey who did the autopsy of theoretical physicist Albert Einstein. When he finished, he kept something to study… Einstein’s brain! For more than 40 years, he would travel around with the brain. This is the story of Dr. Harvey and Einstein’s Brain!

Today’s show is about Mary Anning, an amazing lady who risked her life chipping away stone in the cold on the side of a cliff with the waves of the English Channel sneaking up behind her.

In this episode, I have the story of Maude King and how she entrusted her fortune to one of American's most notorious men, the American private detective, salesman, bootlegger, forger, swindler, murder suspect, blackmailer, and con artist, Gaston Means.

In this episode, I have the story of King Kong’s release and all that followed on the 203rd episode of Sunday Morning Coffee with Jeff.

On this thrilling episode, I have the second part of my story of the 1933 film King Kong! How was it created? Find out on the 202th episode of Sunday Morning Coffee with Jeff.

Today I have the first part of the story of Merian C. Cooper and the 1933 film King Kong

The once was a 4-piece rock and roll band from Liverpool England in the early 1960s. The group was one of the first all-female Rock and Roll bands. Today I have the story of Valerie, Pamela, Mary, and Sylvia, known as the Liverbirds on the 200th episode of Sunday Morning Coffee with Jeff.

This is the story of Joseph Meister, a nine-year-old boy who was the first to be given the Rabies vaccine. The Vaccine was developed by and one of the fathers of germ theory, Louis Pasteur after five years of work. This is the story of how Pasteur took a great risk in giving the young child his cure.

Alan Freed was one of the most successful disc jockeys of the 1950s. He coined the term Rock and Roll. His career was cut short when he was accused of excepting payments from record companies to play their records. This is the rise and fall story of Mr. Rock and Roll.

She was unknowingly responsible for bringing sickness and death to others. Her name was Mary Mallon, but the press gave her the title of Typhoid Mary!

In 1941, Germany surprisingly attacked the Soviet Union. Through the work of Marina Raskova, three regiments were created, all entirely staffed by women. The 588th Night Bomber Regiment bombed the Germans in the darkness of night. They did their job so well; the Germans began calling them Nachthexen, the Night Witches.

Once upon a time, an American industrialist had the idea to go into the jungle of South America and produce rubber. He knew nothing about producing rubber, and his men knew nothing about rubber, they just assumed that what worked in the U.S.A. would work in Brazil. They fought the natural conditions and the people of the area to force their way of doing things to get the job done. After ten years and millions of dollars, they just might have learned a lesson. Or maybe not. Today I have the story of Henry Ford and his attempt to create a Utopian Rubber Plantation and transplant a little part of the American dream into the jungle on the 195th Episode of Sunday Morning Coffee with Jeff.

Al was a filmmaker in the late 60s and 1970s. He was murdered in his own home. Today I have the story of filmmaker Al Adamson on the 194 episode of Sunday Morning Coffee with Jeff.

A long time ago, in the early part of the twentieth century, there was a group of people who were cut off from the modern world. They lived in the mountains of Eastern Kentucky. Without roads, electricity, and even books, their world was way behind the rest of the USA. Many of these mountain folk didn’t know how to read. But the world was changing, and education was vital. A government program to provide work during the great depression allowed people to bring books and magazines to these folk, and it changed their world.

Today I have the story of William Gaines, Harvey Kurtzman, Al Feldstein, and Alfred E. Neuman. It’s the tale of Mad Magazine. It began with the tragic death of Max Gaines and ends more than 60 years later.

It’s holiday time again! In this episode, I tell the tale of Santa’s most famous Reindeer. Written as an assignment from his work, Bob May created a story and character that all generations know and love. First a little booklet, then a song, and then the 1964 holiday special. I hope everyone enjoys it, even those that don’t make Christmas part of their winter celebrations. So, to all, no matter what you choose to celebrate, or even those that don’t celebrate anything at all, I hope you have a fantastic December. Show notes and links: * Robert L. May – Wikipedia (wikipedia.org) * FACT CHECK: Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (snopes.com) * The Original Red-Nosed Manuscript : NPR (npr.org) * Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer’s Surprisingly Sad Origins (time.com) * 12 ‘Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer’ facts for its 50th anniversary (mashable.com) * Gettysburg Times – Google News Archive Search (google.com) * Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The True Story (youtube.com) * Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer – Wikipedia (wikipedia.org)

Once upon a time, there was an actor. He was in the biggest film franchise in history, but he wasn’t happy. He thought that those who hired him were taking advantage of him. At the same time, one of the stories he was acting might not have been written by the name who man who said he had written it. Together, the real author and the disgruntled actor would team up to make a film to compete with the franchise. Today I have the story of the Thunderball saga and how two James Bond films were released in the same year. All this, an more, in the 190th episode of Sunday Morning Coffee with Jeff. Show notes and links: * Thunderball (novel) – Wikipedia (wikipedia.org) * Everything Or Nothing – Part 1 (youtube.com) * Kevin McClory – Wikipedia (wikipedia.org) * The Guardian Lectures: Sean Connery Talks to Iain Johnstone about Never Say Never Again 1984 (youtube.com) * sean connery tonight show 1983 (youtube.com) * Film ’83 Never Say Never Again Special Interview Sean Connery (youtube.com)

Once upon a time there was a scientist who was introduced to a drug that made him feel wondered, made him feel complete, and knew that this drug could help many people all over the world. Soon, however, the government decided that no one should have this drug, not even scientist or doctors. In response the scientist told everyone who wanted to know, how to make it themselves. Today I have the story of a remarkable man named Alexander Shulgin on the 189th episode of Sunday Morning Coffee with Jeff. Show notes and links: * Dirty Pictures (2010 Documentary, 720p HD) (youtube.com) * Alexander Shulgin – Wikipedia (wikipedia.org) * MDMA Healing I AM REBEL THE LOVE DRUG S01E03 alexander sacha shulgin Documentary (youtube.com) * Dr. Ecstasy – The New York Times (nytimes.com) * Shulgin was known to many as the “Godfather of ecstasy” | NZ Drug Foundation (drugfoundation.org.nz) * Ann and Sasha Shulgin – Pihkal and Tihkal: A Chemical Love Story (youtube.com) * My Lunch with Psychedelic Chemist “Sasha” Shulgin (RIP) and His Wonderful Wife (scientificamerican.com)

Once upon a time, some strange objects were found by a rancher and it was reported that a flying saucer had crashed! Years later, a man claimed to have actual footage of an autopsy of one of the creatures found at the sight. It became a worldwide phenomenon – and then he said he was lying, but also that it wasn’t a hoax. I have the story of the 1995 Alien Autopsy Film on the 188th episode of Coffee With Jeff. Show notes and links: * Alien autopsy – Wikipedia (wikipedia.org) * Before Independence Day: The Hoax That Captivated the World (time.com) * Roswell Alien Autopsy – 2/4 – Eamonn Investigates (youtube.com) * Welcome to Fortean Times Magazine (forteantimes.com) * Alien Autopsy: Fact or Fiction? [HQ] (youtube.com) * Bull Shit. Regards; Don Ecker UFO Magazine (archive.org) * The Alien Autopsy – YouTube (youtube.com) * Episode 32 – Alien Autopsy Part 1 with Spyros Melaris (conman.com.au) * #32 – Alien Autopsy Interview (acast.com) * Inside the Outer Limits – Spyros Melaris (youtube.com)

Once upon a time there was a large poplar tree on the border between North and South Korea. The South Koreans, with the help the United States, wanted it chopped down. The North Koreans wanted it to stay. Not only did this disagreement cost the lives of two American soldiers, but almost started a major war. On this episode I tell a tale tell a tale of the Korean axe murder incident and Operation Paul Bunyan and the 187th episode of Coffee With Jeff. Show notes and links: * Axes of Evil — The Atavist Magazine (atavist.com) * At Korean summit in DMZ, ‘deranged’ ax murders still cast a shadow (washingtonpost.com) * Korean axe murder incident – Wikipedia (wikipedia.org) * Korean Demilitarized Zone – Wikipedia (wikipedia.org) * The DMZ ‘gardening job’ that almost sparked a war (bbc.com) * The North Korean Axe Murders That Almost Started a War (theatlantic.com) * A Brief History of: The Poplar Tree Incident (youtube.com)

In the early part of the 20th century, adoption was almost unheard of. However; one woman came in and changed all of that. Her name was Georgia Tann, and she did her best to provide children to those who wanted them, as long as a profit was involved – and she would get the children any way she could, by lying or by kidnapping. She was a bad woman who took babies from the poor, so she could sell them to the rich. Today I have the depressing story of Georgia Tann on the 186th episode of Coffee With Jeff. Show notes and links: * A Story of Stolen Babies (nchgs.org) * Georgia Tann – Wikipedia (wikipedia.org) * The Hollywood Baby Snatcher: The sinister story of the woman who stole children and sold them to the stars (dailymail.co.uk) * How Georgia Tann Stole And Sold 5,000 Babies In The Black Market (allthatsinteresting.com) * The Untold Story of Georgia Tann, the Baby Seller Who Corrupted Adoption by Barbara Bisantz Raymond (goodreads.com)