That Was Genius

Fellow historians. It's our last EVER episode. What a blast we've had. And we're going out with a ruddy big bang - our rudest episode yet (by far)! Sam kicks us off with a tour of medieval swearing, and how rudely named streets can be used to track the economy of England in the middle ages. Next, Tom takes a look at Roman and Greek graffiti. Which is just as childish as you'd expect.  It's been a pleasure podcasting with you all for the last three years! If you'd like more That Was Genius, pop over to www.patreon.com/thatwasgenius where you can still get all the 20+ exclusive episodes, songs and doodles (just cancel your subscription once you're done listening). All the cash from the next few months will go to humanitarian aid charities. Just to prove we're not total b**tards.   Subscribe and listen to us! Apple Music // Podbean // Overcast // Stitcher // TuneIn // Spotify Welcome to That Was Genius: Two blokes. An immature sense of humour. And 10,000 years of human civilisation. A weekly podcast looking at the weirder side of history. Join Sam Datta-Paulin (he likes history and lives in Britain) and Tom Berry (he also likes history and used to live in New Zealand but is now in the UK as well), for a weekly reflection on the bold, the brilliant... And the downright strange. From bizarre events and stories to equally odd inventions, barely a day goes by without something incredible (or incredibly stupid) happening around the world. We upload new episodes every Wednesday night/Thursday morning (UK time). Check us out on Facebook (and our Facebook group for memes and fun), Instagram, Twitter and via our website, and please do subscribe to us and leave us a review if you like what you hear!

It's time to lean back and take stock(market), as we look at all things boom and bust. Tom kicks us off with a look at the Drunk Oil Trading Incident, and the Great Comic Book Bubble. Meanwhile Sam's been looking at Tulip Mania and the South Sea Bubble. Sorted. Next week's episode is a patron exclusive all about swearing, and it's an flipping blinder! Find it at patreon.com/thatwasgenius Subscribe and listen to us! Apple Music // Podbean // Overcast // Stitcher // TuneIn // Spotify Welcome to That Was Genius: Two blokes. An immature sense of humour. And 10,000 years of human civilisation. A weekly podcast looking at the weirder side of history. Join Sam Datta-Paulin (he likes history and lives in Britain) and Tom Berry (he also likes history and used to live in New Zealand but is now in the UK as well), for a weekly reflection on the bold, the brilliant... And the downright strange. From bizarre events and stories to equally odd inventions, barely a day goes by without something incredible (or incredibly stupid) happening around the world. We upload new episodes every Wednesday night/Thursday morning (UK time). Check us out on Facebook (and our Facebook group for memes and fun), Instagram, Twitter and via our website, and please do subscribe to us and leave us a review if you like what you hear!

We got confused! It's medical procedures week, but Sam jumped the gun and did a man behaving badly. Doh. Tom kicks us off with a look at the early 20th century obsession with grafting bits of animal (or criminal) testicle onto the knackers of well-to-do gentlemen and professional sportsmen to boost their performance. Meanwhile, Sam's been looking at Saci, the naughty, smelly, wish-granting, smelly, impish, smelly Brazilian folk legend. Next week's episode is a patron exclusive all about Men Behaving Badly (again, for Sam)! Find it at patreon.com/thatwasgenius Subscribe and listen to us! Apple Music // Podbean // Overcast // Stitcher // TuneIn // Spotify Welcome to That Was Genius: Two blokes. An immature sense of humour. And 10,000 years of human civilisation. A weekly podcast looking at the weirder side of history. Join Sam Datta-Paulin (he likes history and lives in Britain) and Tom Berry (he also likes history and used to live in New Zealand but is now in the UK as well), for a weekly reflection on the bold, the brilliant... And the downright strange. From bizarre events and stories to equally odd inventions, barely a day goes by without something incredible (or incredibly stupid) happening around the world. We upload new episodes every Wednesday night/Thursday morning (UK time). Check us out on Facebook (and our Facebook group for memes and fun), Instagram, Twitter and via our website, and please do subscribe to us and leave us a review if you like what you hear!

Choo choo, steaming in two months late, we're back! This week it's all about trains. Sam kicks us off with a look at the Australian 'Afghan' or 'Ghan' camel trains of the 19th century.  Next, Tom's looking at the ancient Greek sort-of-railway, sort of road for boats, the 'Diolkos'. Next week's episode is a patron exclusive all about people called Tom and Sam! Find it at patreon.com/thatwasgenius Subscribe and listen to us! Apple Music // Podbean // Overcast // Stitcher // TuneIn // Spotify Welcome to That Was Genius: Two blokes. An immature sense of humour. And 10,000 years of human civilisation. A weekly podcast looking at the weirder side of history. Join Sam Datta-Paulin (he likes history and lives in Britain) and Tom Berry (he also likes history and used to live in New Zealand but is now in the UK as well), for a weekly reflection on the bold, the brilliant... And the downright strange. From bizarre events and stories to equally odd inventions, barely a day goes by without something incredible (or incredibly stupid) happening around the world. We upload new episodes every Wednesday night/Thursday morning (UK time). Check us out on Facebook (and our Facebook group for memes and fun), Instagram, Twitter and via our website, and please do subscribe to us and leave us a review if you like what you hear!

Hi everyone,  We've taken the decision to give ourselves a few weeks break from the podcast to reset and get ourselves sorted out. Sam's daughter has just started nursery so is perennially low-level ill, and his day job is going through a busy spot which doesn't leave much free time to write and edit this old thing. If you're a Patron (patreon.com/thatwasgenius) you'll be getting a refund until we kick off again. Hopefully it won't be long, but making history podcasts is a surprising amount of work, even ones as chaotic as this! In future, we might look at doing seasons to avoid burnout, but the plan for now is to come back full time, soon. Best wishes (and sorry), Sam (and Tom)

Like carving a pumpkin at Halloween, sprouts at Christmas, and burning policemen in giant wicker cages, this week it's all about traditions! Sam kicks us off this week with a look at the not-as-nice-as-it-sounds Aztec tradition of the Flower War - a sporting contest with very real and deadly consequences, and an even worse runner-up prize. Nest, Tom's been looking at 'Line Crossing' ceremonies: The filthy, raucous, and often unwilling initiation ceremonies for sailors on their first crossing of the equator. Next week's episode is a patron exclusive all about Honours and Awards! Find it at patreon.com/thatwasgenius Subscribe and listen to us! Apple Music // Podbean // Overcast // Stitcher // TuneIn // Spotify Welcome to That Was Genius: Two blokes. An immature sense of humour. And 10,000 years of human civilisation. A weekly podcast looking at the weirder side of history. Join Sam Datta-Paulin (he likes history and lives in Britain) and Tom Berry (he also likes history and used to live in New Zealand but is now in the UK as well), for a weekly reflection on the bold, the brilliant... And the downright strange. From bizarre events and stories to equally odd inventions, barely a day goes by without something incredible (or incredibly stupid) happening around the world. We upload new episodes every Wednesday night/Thursday morning (UK time). Check us out on Facebook (and our Facebook group for memes and fun), Instagram, Twitter and via our website, and please do subscribe to us and leave us a review if you like what you hear!

Well we nearly didn't make this one (Tom's mic broke). But we survived and we're back with an episode all about feats of survival! Tom's up first this week, with the parallel tales of H.M. Stanley and Dr David Livingstone, whose lives collided with the famous greeting, "Dr Livingstone, I presume"? Next, Sam's been looking at survival from a great number of feet, rather than feats, with a dive into high-altitude ballooning and space skydiving! Next week's episode is a patron exclusive all about security! Find it at patreon.com/thatwasgenius Subscribe and listen to us! Apple Music // Podbean // Overcast // Stitcher // TuneIn // Spotify Welcome to That Was Genius: Two blokes. An immature sense of humour. And 10,000 years of human civilisation. A weekly podcast looking at the weirder side of history. Join Sam Datta-Paulin (he likes history and lives in Britain) and Tom Berry (he also likes history and used to live in New Zealand but is now in the UK as well), for a weekly reflection on the bold, the brilliant... And the downright strange. From bizarre events and stories to equally odd inventions, barely a day goes by without something incredible (or incredibly stupid) happening around the world. We upload new episodes every Wednesday night/Thursday morning (UK time). Check us out on Facebook (and our Facebook group for memes and fun), Instagram, Twitter and via our website, and please do subscribe to us and leave us a review if you like what you hear!

It's internet week (Beep beep, boop boop, modem screeching noises)! Sam starts us off with a look at project CyberSyn, a 1970s attempt by communist Chile to let a computer with a millionth the power of an iPhone run its entire economy. Next, Tom's been looking at archaeological finds identified through the highly scientific medium of... Google Earth. Next week's episode is a patron exclusive all about light! Find it at patreon.com/thatwasgenius Subscribe and listen to us! Apple Music // Podbean // Overcast // Stitcher // TuneIn // Spotify Welcome to That Was Genius: Two blokes. An immature sense of humour. And 10,000 years of human civilisation. A weekly podcast looking at the weirder side of history. Join Sam Datta-Paulin (he likes history and lives in Britain) and Tom Berry (he also likes history and used to live in New Zealand but is now in the UK as well), for a weekly reflection on the bold, the brilliant... And the downright strange. From bizarre events and stories to equally odd inventions, barely a day goes by without something incredible (or incredibly stupid) happening around the world. We upload new episodes every Wednesday night/Thursday morning (UK time). Check us out on Facebook (and our Facebook group for memes and fun), Instagram, Twitter and via our website, and please do subscribe to us and leave us a review if you like what you hear!

It's been... A While. But we're back, tanned, and ready to go! This week it's all about Italy. Tom has been looking at operation Mincemeat, the allied attempts to thwart Axis intelligence in the lead up to the Italian campaign in WW2. Meanwhile Sam's been taking a look at the history of the worlds (sort of) oldest and (sort of) smallest country, San Marino! Next week's episode is a patron exclusive all about showbiz! Find it at patreon.com/thatwasgenius Subscribe and listen to us! Apple Music // Podbean // Overcast // Stitcher // TuneIn // Spotify Welcome to That Was Genius: Two blokes. An immature sense of humour. And 10,000 years of human civilisation. A weekly podcast looking at the weirder side of history. Join Sam Datta-Paulin (he likes history and lives in Britain) and Tom Berry (he also likes history and used to live in New Zealand but is now in the UK as well), for a weekly reflection on the bold, the brilliant... And the downright strange. From bizarre events and stories to equally odd inventions, barely a day goes by without something incredible (or incredibly stupid) happening around the world. We upload new episodes every Wednesday night/Thursday morning (UK time). Check us out on Facebook (and our Facebook group for memes and fun), Instagram, Twitter and via our website, and please do subscribe to us and leave us a review if you like what you hear!

This episode was a patron exclusive, which we're releasing to the public as we're taking a short summer break. Want to join and get more than two dozen exclusive episodes? Find us at patreon.com/thatwasgenius. We'll be back in two weeks!   Down at the Bottom of the Garden, among the birds and the bees, there live two slightly sweary hosts, and it's gardening week.   Yes, that's the Poddington Peas theme tune. Sam kicks us off this week with our first ever delve into Romanian folklore, with the story of Făt-Frumos with the Golden Hair - the fairy tale of a fabulously dressed prince turned very unsuccessful gardener.   Next, Tom's been looking at the history of hired hermits, paid to inhabit the gardens of the rich in the 18th and 19th centuries.   Subscribe and listen to us! Apple Music // Podbean // Overcast // Stitcher // TuneIn // Spotify Welcome to That Was Genius: Two blokes. An immature sense of humour. And 10,000 years of human civilisation. A weekly podcast looking at the weirder side of history.   Join Sam Datta-Paulin (he likes history and lives in Britain) and Tom Berry (he also likes history and used to live in New Zealand but is now in the UK as well), for a weekly reflection on the bold, the brilliant... And the downright strange. From bizarre events and stories to equally odd inventions, barely a day goes by without something incredible (or incredibly stupid) happening around the world.   We upload new episodes every Wednesday night/Thursday morning (UK time).   Check us out on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and via our website, and please do subscribe to us and leave us a review if you like what you hear!

I can see clearly now the pane has come. It's glass week! Sam kicks us off with a (tenuously connected to the theme) look at the Great Moon Hoax of 1835, in which a New York newspaper's series of increasingly bizarre articles about a moon civilization caught the public's imagination.  Next, Tom's been exploring Glass Delusion, the historical psychiatric condition which led sufferers to believe they were made of easily shattered glass, when in fact that pain in their bottom was probably something far less dangerous. We're taking a small break for a couple of weeks, but we're going to gift all our regular listeners a Patron exclusive episode to tide you over! Check back in a couple of weeks, or hear it early at patreon.com/thatwasgenius. Subscribe and listen to us! Apple Music // Podbean // Overcast // Stitcher // TuneIn // Spotify Welcome to That Was Genius: Two blokes. An immature sense of humour. And 10,000 years of human civilisation. A weekly podcast looking at the weirder side of history. Join Sam Datta-Paulin (he likes history and lives in Britain) and Tom Berry (he also likes history and used to live in New Zealand but is now in the UK as well), for a weekly reflection on the bold, the brilliant... And the downright strange. From bizarre events and stories to equally odd inventions, barely a day goes by without something incredible (or incredibly stupid) happening around the world. We upload new episodes every Wednesday night/Thursday morning (UK time). Check us out on Facebook (and our Facebook group for memes and fun), Instagram, Twitter and via our website, and please do subscribe to us and leave us a review if you like what you hear!

Edison and Tesla. Hunt and Louda. Tom and Sam. This week we're exploring rivalries! Apologies for Sam's iffy sound quality this week, not sure what happened there. Normal service will resume next week! Tom's up first with a bold and ambitious attempt to examine the Wars of the Roses, one of the most complicated periods in English history, and the inspiration (vaguely, no dragons) for Game of Thrones. Next, Sam's been reading 'The Theory and Practice of Gamesmanship (or the Art of Winning Games without Actually Cheating)', Stephen Potter's 1947 satirical book on being an arse in sport and annoying your rival into defeat, which was so influential it actually led to rule changes in most professional sports. Subscribe and listen to us! Apple Music // Podbean // Overcast // Stitcher // TuneIn // Spotify Welcome to That Was Genius: Two blokes. An immature sense of humour. And 10,000 years of human civilisation. A weekly podcast looking at the weirder side of history. Join Sam Datta-Paulin (he likes history and lives in Britain) and Tom Berry (he also likes history and used to live in New Zealand but is now in the UK as well), for a weekly reflection on the bold, the brilliant... And the downright strange. From bizarre events and stories to equally odd inventions, barely a day goes by without something incredible (or incredibly stupid) happening around the world. We upload new episodes every Wednesday night/Thursday morning (UK time). Check us out on Facebook (and our Facebook group for memes and fun), Instagram, Twitter and via our website, and please do subscribe to us and leave us a review if you like what you hear!

Maple syrup. Tim Hortons. Burning down the White House. This week we're celebrating all things Canadian! Sam kicks us off with a look at The Great Antonio - Montreal-based strongman, wrestler, and eccentric. Next, Tom's all over the Halifax Explosion of December 1917 - one of the worst man-made disasters in history. PS Sorry this episode is a couple of days behind - two recordings in one week makes Sam a late boy. Subscribe and listen to us! Apple Music // Podbean // Overcast // Stitcher // TuneIn // Spotify Welcome to That Was Genius: Two blokes. An immature sense of humour. And 10,000 years of human civilisation. A weekly podcast looking at the weirder side of history. Join Sam Datta-Paulin (he likes history and lives in Britain) and Tom Berry (he also likes history and used to live in New Zealand but is now in the UK as well), for a weekly reflection on the bold, the brilliant... And the downright strange. From bizarre events and stories to equally odd inventions, barely a day goes by without something incredible (or incredibly stupid) happening around the world. We upload new episodes every Wednesday night/Thursday morning (UK time). Check us out on Facebook (and our Facebook group for memes and fun), Instagram, Twitter and via our website, and please do subscribe to us and leave us a review if you like what you hear!

Doctor Doctor, I feel like a history podcast! Well you're in luck, it's medicine week! Tom kicks us off with a look at the Ebers Papyri, a very, very long ancient Egyptian scroll full of bizarre and filthy cures for common ailments, with some rather sarcastic modern translations.  Next, Sam looks at the nonsense uses of wee in medicine through history. Urine for a treat! This episode features a cross-promo for Countries That Don't Exist Anymore. Check them out on your usual podcast app, or at https://www.ctdeapod.com/ Subscribe and listen to us! Apple Music // Podbean // Overcast // Stitcher // TuneIn // Spotify Welcome to That Was Genius: Two blokes. An immature sense of humour. And 10,000 years of human civilisation. A weekly podcast looking at the weirder side of history. Join Sam Datta-Paulin (he likes history and lives in Britain) and Tom Berry (he also likes history and used to live in New Zealand but is now in the UK as well), for a weekly reflection on the bold, the brilliant... And the downright strange. From bizarre events and stories to equally odd inventions, barely a day goes by without something incredible (or incredibly stupid) happening around the world. We upload new episodes every Wednesday night/Thursday morning (UK time). Check us out on Facebook (and our Facebook group for memes and fun), Instagram, Twitter and via our website, and please do subscribe to us and leave us a review if you like what you hear!

Like an eel on a bobsleigh track, we're ploughing headfirst into a slippery situation this week! Sam's up first this week with a look at the cursed (but very successful) life of Adolphe Sax, inventor of the saxophone and dodger of multiple near deaths, lawsuits, and assassination attempts. Next, Tom's been slipping around the northwest passage (ooh er) with a look at 19th Century explorer explorer William Hudson. Sorry this episode is 24 hours late - sick children issues! Subscribe and listen to us! Apple Music // Podbean // Overcast // Stitcher // TuneIn // Spotify Welcome to That Was Genius: Two blokes. An immature sense of humour. And 10,000 years of human civilisation. A weekly podcast looking at the weirder side of history. Join Sam Datta-Paulin (he likes history and lives in Britain) and Tom Berry (he also likes history and used to live in New Zealand but is now in the UK as well), for a weekly reflection on the bold, the brilliant... And the downright strange. From bizarre events and stories to equally odd inventions, barely a day goes by without something incredible (or incredibly stupid) happening around the world. We upload new episodes every Wednesday night/Thursday morning (UK time). Check us out on Facebook (and our Facebook group for memes and fun), Instagram, Twitter and via our website, and please do subscribe to us and leave us a review if you like what you hear!

Ooh Arr, it's farming week! Tom starts us off with a look at Fritz Haber, the German chemist who, on the one hand, revolutionised farming and fed the world. On the other hand, he also led Germany's chemical weapons programme in World War One. The left hand giveth, the right hand taketh away... Next, Sam's been looking at the Pig War of 1859, in which Britain and the US nearly went to war over a potato patch. Subscribe and listen to us! Apple Music // Podbean // Overcast // Stitcher // TuneIn // Spotify Welcome to That Was Genius: Two blokes. An immature sense of humour. And 10,000 years of human civilisation. A weekly podcast looking at the weirder side of history. Join Sam Datta-Paulin (he likes history and lives in Britain) and Tom Berry (he also likes history and used to live in New Zealand but is now in the UK as well), for a weekly reflection on the bold, the brilliant... And the downright strange. From bizarre events and stories to equally odd inventions, barely a day goes by without something incredible (or incredibly stupid) happening around the world. We upload new episodes every Wednesday night/Thursday morning (UK time). Check us out on Facebook (and our Facebook group for memes and fun), Instagram, Twitter and via our website, and please do subscribe to us and leave us a review if you like what you hear!

And we're off, on a look into some of the most bizarre races ever to have taken place. Sam starts off with a look at the 1907 Peking to Paris rally, and the trials of adventurer, conman and bacon-mechanic Charles Godard.  Meanwhile, Tom's been taking a look at history's best-paid sportsman, the remarkable Roman charioteer Gaius Appuleius Diocles. This episode also features a cross promo with The Silly History Boys Show - thanks to Rob 'Uncle BobBob' Bond, Stu 'The PearBear' Perry, Tom 'Tombo' Fermor, and Will 'Uncle Bilbo' Tristram for lending their voices to an honourable mention, The Great Wisconsin Race of 1878, and for inviting us onto their own excellent podcast. Check them out on your app of choice! Subscribe and listen to us! Apple Music // Podbean // Overcast // Stitcher // TuneIn // Spotify Welcome to That Was Genius: Two blokes. An immature sense of humour. And 10,000 years of human civilisation. A weekly podcast looking at the weirder side of history. Join Sam Datta-Paulin (he likes history and lives in Britain) and Tom Berry (he also likes history and used to live in New Zealand but is now in the UK as well), for a weekly reflection on the bold, the brilliant... And the downright strange. From bizarre events and stories to equally odd inventions, barely a day goes by without something incredible (or incredibly stupid) happening around the world. We upload new episodes every Wednesday night/Thursday morning (UK time). Check us out on Facebook (and our Facebook group for memes and fun), Instagram, Twitter and via our website, and please do subscribe to us and leave us a review if you like what you hear!

It's a comedy wild west gunfight this week, as we take ten paces and draw (yes, it's cartoons week)! Sam kicks us off with a look at the Illustrated Police News, the world's first tabloid newspaper which delighted audiences with graphic illustrations of the macabre, bizarre, and cheeky. He's also got an honourable mention for the Turin Erotic Papyrus - the first known lads mag. Next, Tom's been taking a look at Marginalia, the hilarious and often VERY rude doodles and drawings made by medieval monks and artists in the corners of their works. Snails fighting knights and a tree full of genitals, anyone? Subscribe and listen to us! Apple Music // Podbean // Overcast // Stitcher // TuneIn // Spotify This episode features a cross promo with Historical AF. Check them out on your app of choice! Welcome to That Was Genius: Two blokes. An immature sense of humour. And 10,000 years of human civilisation. A weekly podcast looking at the weirder side of history. Join Sam Datta-Paulin (he likes history and lives in Britain) and Tom Berry (he also likes history and used to live in New Zealand but is now in the UK as well), for a weekly reflection on the bold, the brilliant... And the downright strange. From bizarre events and stories to equally odd inventions, barely a day goes by without something incredible (or incredibly stupid) happening around the world. We upload new episodes every Wednesday night/Thursday morning (UK time). Check us out on Facebook (and our Facebook group for memes and fun), Instagram, Twitter and via our website, and please do subscribe to us and leave us a review if you like what you hear!

Oh go on, just one wafer thin episode... It's small things week! Tom starts off with the British bantams, the pint-sized soldiers who were small in size, but large in grit, number, and ability to start a fight in a town square. Next, Sam takes a look at the island of Tavolara, which until recently was the worlds smallest kingdom. So small, it's main export was rotten-toothed goats, and its king was technically unemployed. Subscribe and listen to us! Apple Music // Podbean // Overcast // Stitcher // TuneIn // Spotify This episode features a cross promo with Historical AF. Check them out on your app of choice! Welcome to That Was Genius: Two blokes. An immature sense of humour. And 10,000 years of human civilisation. A weekly podcast looking at the weirder side of history. Join Sam Datta-Paulin (he likes history and lives in Britain) and Tom Berry (he also likes history and used to live in New Zealand but is now in the UK as well), for a weekly reflection on the bold, the brilliant... And the downright strange. From bizarre events and stories to equally odd inventions, barely a day goes by without something incredible (or incredibly stupid) happening around the world. We upload new episodes every Wednesday night/Thursday morning (UK time). Check us out on Facebook (and our Facebook group for memes and fun), Instagram, Twitter and via our website, and please do subscribe to us and leave us a review if you like what you hear!

100 ruddy episodes, we did it! To celebrate, we're taking a look at the number 100 in history, which is a surprisingly difficult topic, actually. Sam kicks us off with a look at Tsukumogami, the Japanese belief that household objects gain a soul on their 100th birthday. And usually use the new-found power of life to be arseholes to everyone they meet. Next, Tom takes a look at the eruption of Mount Tambora in Indonesia, on the 100th day of 1815, which indirectly led to the invention of the bicycle. He also takes us through the 1885 'scientific' book, One Hundred Proofs that the Earth is Not a Globe, by William Carpenter. Subscribe and listen to us! Apple Music // Podbean // Overcast // Stitcher // TuneIn // Spotify This episode features a cross promo with The Partial Historians. Check them out on your app of choice! Welcome to That Was Genius: Two blokes. An immature sense of humour. And 10,000 years of human civilisation. A weekly podcast looking at the weirder side of history. Join Sam Datta-Paulin (he likes history and lives in Britain) and Tom Berry (he also likes history and used to live in New Zealand but is now in the UK as well), for a weekly reflection on the bold, the brilliant... And the downright strange. From bizarre events and stories to equally odd inventions, barely a day goes by without something incredible (or incredibly stupid) happening around the world. We upload new episodes every Wednesday night/Thursday morning (UK time). Check us out on Facebook (and our Facebook group for memes and fun), Instagram, Twitter and via our website, and please do subscribe to us and leave us a review if you like what you hear!

Oh I do like to be beside the seaside... We're celebrating all things aquatic today! Which basically means shipwrecks, sorry (not sorry, they are great). Sam starts us off with an honourable mention for the only ship ever sunk by a meteor, before talking about Poon Lim and his incredible, record-breaking story of survival at sea. Next, Tom's got the sinking of the whaling ship Essex and the cannibalistic survival story that followed, in a tale which inspired Moby Dick. Subscribe and listen to us! Apple Music // Podbean // Overcast // Stitcher // TuneIn // Spotify Welcome to That Was Genius: Two blokes. An immature sense of humour. And 10,000 years of human civilisation. A weekly podcast looking at the weirder side of history. Join Sam Datta-Paulin (he likes history and lives in Britain) and Tom Berry (he also likes history and used to live in New Zealand but is now in the UK as well), for a weekly reflection on the bold, the brilliant... And the downright strange. From bizarre events and stories to equally odd inventions, barely a day goes by without something incredible (or incredibly stupid) happening around the world. We upload new episodes every Wednesday night/Thursday morning (UK time). Check us out on Facebook (and our Facebook group for memes and fun), Instagram, Twitter and via our website, and please do subscribe to us and leave us a review if you like what you hear!

It's coups week! Which was a lot harder to research and less funny than we were anticipating, to be honest. But we made it work! Tom kicks us off with the overthrow of King Wanda, who woke up one day drunk, shaved and living in a monastery. Best. Stag Do. Ever. Next, Sam takes a look at the Golpa Borghese, a very Italian coup involving the mafia, some fascists, a renegade group of freemasons and, obviously, some Government corruption. Subscribe and listen to us! Apple Music // Podbean // Overcast // Stitcher // TuneIn // Spotify Welcome to That Was Genius: Two blokes. An immature sense of humour. And 10,000 years of human civilisation. A weekly podcast looking at the weirder side of history. Join Sam Datta-Paulin (he likes history and lives in Britain) and Tom Berry (he also likes history and used to live in New Zealand but is now in the UK as well), for a weekly reflection on the bold, the brilliant... And the downright strange. From bizarre events and stories to equally odd inventions, barely a day goes by without something incredible (or incredibly stupid) happening around the world. We upload new episodes every Wednesday night/Thursday morning (UK time). Check us out on Facebook (and our Facebook group for memes and fun), Instagram, Twitter and via our website, and please do subscribe to us and leave us a review if you like what you hear!

This isn't a democracy, you can't tell us what to do! Apart from the audience member who told us to do tyrants and despots, which is exactly what we've done this week. Sam starts us off this week with a look at The Zhengde Emperor - the mad Ming ruler who spent his time playing dress-up, chopping up Europeans and collecting animals and women, rather than really doing anything useful. Next, Tom takes a look at Plato's republic, a classical Greek work that might just have some useful messages today. Or it might just be the rantings of a grumpy old man, who can say... Subscribe and listen to us! Apple Music // Podbean // Overcast // Stitcher // TuneIn // Spotify Welcome to That Was Genius: Two blokes. An immature sense of humour. And 10,000 years of human civilisation. A weekly podcast looking at the weirder side of history. Join Sam Datta-Paulin (he likes history and lives in Britain) and Tom Berry (he also likes history and used to live in New Zealand but is now in the UK as well), for a weekly reflection on the bold, the brilliant... And the downright strange. From bizarre events and stories to equally odd inventions, barely a day goes by without something incredible (or incredibly stupid) happening around the world. We upload new episodes every Wednesday night/Thursday morning (UK time). Check us out on Facebook (and our Facebook group for memes and fun), Instagram, Twitter and via our website, and please do subscribe to us and leave us a review if you like what you hear!

Boom! It's weapons week. And our first episode of 2021! Tom starts the year off with a bang, with a look at the first ever military submarine, the Turtle of 1776. He also gives an honorable mention to Dazzle camouflage - the idea you can mask a ship's movement by painting it mad, zebra-like patterns. Next, Sam takes a somewhat odd look at the surprisingly long history of strapping bombs to birds - nearly a millennia of animal cruelty in the name of killing one another from crows with fireworks up their bums to nuclear chickens. Subscribe and listen to us! Apple Music // Podbean // Overcast // Stitcher // TuneIn // Spotify Welcome to That Was Genius: Two blokes. An immature sense of humour. And 10,000 years of human civilisation. A weekly podcast looking at the weirder side of history. Join Sam Datta-Paulin (he likes history and lives in Britain) and Tom Berry (he also likes history and used to live in New Zealand but is now in the UK as well), for a weekly reflection on the bold, the brilliant... And the downright strange. From bizarre events and stories to equally odd inventions, barely a day goes by without something incredible (or incredibly stupid) happening around the world. We upload new episodes every Wednesday night/Thursday morning (UK time). Check us out on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and via our website, and please do subscribe to us and leave us a review if you like what you hear!

What a year! And how better to say goodbye to it than reminding ourselves how things were crappy in the olden days, too. So, here we have our end of year quiz, with audience suggestions too (the questions were posted on our Facebook page and Patreon). Have a great holiday season and new year everyone, wherever you are. I hope 2021 is better than whatever... this... is!  Our next public episode is all about mad military inventions! Subscribe and listen to us! Apple Music // Podbean // Overcast // Stitcher // TuneIn // Spotify Welcome to That Was Genius: Two blokes. An immature sense of humour. And 10,000 years of human civilisation. A weekly podcast looking at the weirder side of history. Join Sam Datta-Paulin (he likes history and lives in Britain) and Tom Berry (he also likes history and used to live in New Zealand but is now in the UK as well), for a weekly reflection on the bold, the brilliant... And the downright strange. From bizarre events and stories to equally odd inventions, barely a day goes by without something incredible (or incredibly stupid) happening around the world. We upload new episodes every Wednesday night/Thursday morning (UK time). Check us out on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and via our website, and please do subscribe to us and leave us a review if you like what you hear!

It's best friends week! Tom kicks us off with a look at the origin of 'Whipping Boys', along with a trip to the land of the Groom of the Stool, and court eunuchs. Next, Sam takes a look at the unusual friendship and daring prison camp escape of Max Gendelman and Karl Kirschner, a Jewish-American POW and a German officer who became best friends. Next week is a patron exclusive all about knock offs. Join our Patreon for access to all episodes, special songs, medals and more amazing perks!  Our next public episode is all about mad military inventions! Subscribe and listen to us! Apple Music // Podbean // Overcast // Stitcher // TuneIn // Spotify Welcome to That Was Genius: Two blokes. An immature sense of humour. And 10,000 years of human civilisation. A weekly podcast looking at the weirder side of history. Join Sam Datta-Paulin (he likes history and lives in Britain) and Tom Berry (he also likes history and used to live in New Zealand but is now in the UK as well), for a weekly reflection on the bold, the brilliant... And the downright strange. From bizarre events and stories to equally odd inventions, barely a day goes by without something incredible (or incredibly stupid) happening around the world. We upload new episodes every Wednesday night/Thursday morning (UK time). Check us out on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and via our website, and please do subscribe to us and leave us a review if you like what you hear!

Waking up the next day full of regret and with a splitting headache: Just one of the side effects of listening to this podcast. Especially in hangovers week! Well, to be honest, we've both just done drunks, but hey ho. Sam kicks us off with a look at the battle of the Alma, a Crimean war barney fuelled by huge amounts of mid-fight boozing on the part of the Russians. Next, Tom takes a look at the sinking of the White Ship, a Norman party cruise gone wrong, which led to decades of national strife for medieval England. Next week is a patron exclusive all about psychiatry. Join our Patreon for access to all episodes, special songs, medals and more amazing perks!  Our next public episode in two weeks is all about best friends! Subscribe and listen to us! Apple Music // Podbean // Overcast // Stitcher // TuneIn // Spotify Welcome to That Was Genius: Two blokes. An immature sense of humour. And 10,000 years of human civilisation. A weekly podcast looking at the weirder side of history. Join Sam Datta-Paulin (he likes history and lives in Britain) and Tom Berry (he also likes history and used to live in New Zealand but is now in the UK as well), for a weekly reflection on the bold, the brilliant... And the downright strange. From bizarre events and stories to equally odd inventions, barely a day goes by without something incredible (or incredibly stupid) happening around the world. We upload new episodes every Wednesday night/Thursday morning (UK time). Check us out on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and via our website, and please do subscribe to us and leave us a review if you like what you hear!

Here in my car, I've got lots of podcasts, all about stuff that happened way in the past. It's Cars! Yes, the humble automobile is the topic this week. Tom's been looking at the amazing overland odyssey of mad Australian Francis Birtles, who drove from the UK to Oz (granted, with some boats) in the 1920s.  Next, Sam takes a look at Bertha Benz, wife of car inventor Karl Benz, who in 1888 got bored of her husband's tinkering and stole his car, taking the first ever long-distance drive, and kick-starting a revolution in the process. Next week is a patron exclusive all about, deserts. Join our Patreon for access to all episodes, special songs, medals and more amazing perks!  Our next public episode in two weeks is all about hangovers! Subscribe and listen to us! Apple Music // Podbean // Overcast // Stitcher // TuneIn // Spotify Welcome to That Was Genius: Two blokes. An immature sense of humour. And 10,000 years of human civilisation. A weekly podcast looking at the weirder side of history. Join Sam Datta-Paulin (he likes history and lives in Britain) and Tom Berry (he also likes history and used to live in New Zealand but is now in the UK as well), for a weekly reflection on the bold, the brilliant... And the downright strange. From bizarre events and stories to equally odd inventions, barely a day goes by without something incredible (or incredibly stupid) happening around the world. We upload new episodes every Wednesday night/Thursday morning (UK time). Check us out on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and via our website, and please do subscribe to us and leave us a review if you like what you hear!

Nudists or animal lovers? It's anyone's guess this week as we mangle the line between naturalists and naturists.Tom takes a look at Nazi nudists, because he got confused about the topic. Frankly, it's still pretty interesting though.Meanwhile, Sam's been looking at nudist explorer Robyn Davidson's 1700 mile naked trek across Australia, followed by an examination of the creator of cryptozoology and monster hunter Ivan T Sanderson, and mad-scientist/monster creator Ilya Ivanovich Ivanov's quest to breed chimp-human hybrids.Next week is a patron exclusive all about, natural disasters. Join our Patreon for access to all episodes, special songs, medals and more amazing perks! Our next public episode in two weeks is all about vehicles.Subscribe and listen to us! Apple Music // Podbean // Overcast // Stitcher // TuneIn // SpotifyWelcome to That Was Genius: Two blokes. An immature sense of humour. And 10,000 years of human civilisation. A weekly podcast looking at the weirder side of history.Join Sam Datta-Paulin (he likes history and lives in Britain) and Tom Berry (he also likes history and used to live in New Zealand but is now in the UK as well), for a weekly reflection on the bold, the brilliant... And the downright strange.From bizarre events and stories to equally odd inventions, barely a day goes by without something incredible (or incredibly stupid) happening around the world.We upload new episodes every Wednesday night/Thursday morning (UK time).Check us out on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and via our website, and please do subscribe to us and leave us a review if you like what you hear!

There's nothing civil about That Was Genius. Except this week's theme, civil wars.Sam starts off with a look at the Battle of Bamber Bridge, a WW2 attempt to segregate US troops stationed in a small village in Britain, which saw whites banned and a running battle between African American and white US troops in the streets.Next, Tom takes a look at the civil war origins of various words, phrases and idioms throughout history, with an honourable mention for Basil Copper Hands, the Byzantine con-man and insurrectionist. Next week is a patron exclusive all about, erm... Shoes (Tom's choice)! Join our Patreon for access to all episodes, special songs, medals and more amazing perks! Our next public episode in two weeks is all about 'Naturalists' (not nudists).Subscribe and listen to us! Apple Music // Podbean // Overcast // Stitcher // TuneIn // SpotifyWelcome to That Was Genius: Two blokes. An immature sense of humour. And 10,000 years of human civilisation. A weekly podcast looking at the weirder side of history.Join Sam Datta-Paulin (he likes history and lives in Britain) and Tom Berry (he also likes history and used to live in New Zealand but is now in the UK as well), for a weekly reflection on the bold, the brilliant... And the downright strange.From bizarre events and stories to equally odd inventions, barely a day goes by without something incredible (or incredibly stupid) happening around the world.We upload new episodes every Wednesday night/Thursday morning (UK time).Check us out on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and via our website, and please do subscribe to us and leave us a review if you like what you hear!

I don't believe it! This week we're looking at things that never happened. Tom kicks us off with a look at some of the ridiculous flying saints in the Catholic church; some more recent than you might think, and all especially stupid. Or possibly just epileptic.  Next, Sam takes a look at English As She Is Spoke by Pedro Carolino - a very real phrase book from someone who was only pretending to be able to speak English. With hilarious results.  Next week is a patron exclusive all about alcohol! Join our Patreon for access to all episodes, special songs, medals and more amazing perks!  Our next public episode in two weeks is all about 'civil wars'. Subscribe and listen to us! Apple Music // Podbean // Overcast // Stitcher // TuneIn // Spotify Welcome to That Was Genius: Two blokes. An immature sense of humour. And 10,000 years of human civilisation. A weekly podcast looking at the weirder side of history. Join Sam Datta-Paulin (he likes history and lives in Britain) and Tom Berry (he also likes history and used to live in New Zealand but is now in the UK as well), for a weekly reflection on the bold, the brilliant... And the downright strange. From bizarre events and stories to equally odd inventions, barely a day goes by without something incredible (or incredibly stupid) happening around the world. We upload new episodes every Wednesday night/Thursday morning (UK time). Check us out on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and via our website, and please do subscribe to us and leave us a review if you like what you hear!

Boom, we're back with a shot across the bow for ships week! Tom kicks us off with the story of the collision between the HMS Victoria and the HMS Camperdown in 1893, where a badly timed order and a test of loyalty had disastrous consequences. Next, Sam takes a look at the Battle of Fimreite in 1184, in which the Norwegian King Magnus Erlingsonn and rebel leader Sverre Sigurdsson fought a truly stupid naval battle. Next week is a patron exclusive all about sides (dishes, battles, of a triangle maybe...)! Join our Patreon for access to all episodes, special songs, medals and more amazing perks!  Our next public episode in two weeks is all about 'things that never happened'. Subscribe and listen to us! Apple Music // Podbean // Overcast // Stitcher // TuneIn // Spotify Welcome to That Was Genius: Two blokes. An immature sense of humour. And 10,000 years of human civilisation. A weekly podcast looking at the weirder side of history. Join Sam Datta-Paulin (he likes history and lives in Britain) and Tom Berry (he also likes history and used to live in New Zealand but is now in the UK as well), for a weekly reflection on the bold, the brilliant... And the downright strange. From bizarre events and stories to equally odd inventions, barely a day goes by without something incredible (or incredibly stupid) happening around the world. We upload new episodes every Wednesday night/Thursday morning (UK time). Check us out on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and via our website, and please do subscribe to us and leave us a review if you like what you hear!

Sorry for the very late episode, but we've got some news! Listen on to find out more. This episode was originally a patron exclusive, but given we've taken August off for Sam to get used to *insert news here*, we thought we'd share it around to give you something to listen to. A podcast all about pictures. I'm sure this'll work... Sam starts us off with the Cottingley Fairies, one of the greatest photographic hoaxes of all time, perpetrated by two young girls as a way of getting more time to play outside, which eventually tricked none other than Arthur Conan Doyle. Next, Tom looks at Mappa Mundi, the great medieval maps of the world. Bought to you by people who had very little idea of what the world actually looked like, but a lot of imagination. Our next episode, out in a couple of weeks, is going to be all about the navy! Subscribe and listen to us! Apple Music // Podbean // Overcast // Stitcher // TuneIn // Spotify Welcome to That Was Genius: Two blokes. An immature sense of humour. And 10,000 years of human civilisation. A weekly podcast looking at the weirder side of history. Join Sam Datta-Paulin (he likes history and lives in Britain) and Tom Berry (he also likes history and used to live in New Zealand but is now in the UK as well), for a weekly reflection on the bold, the brilliant... And the downright strange. From bizarre events and stories to equally odd inventions, barely a day goes by without something incredible (or incredibly stupid) happening around the world. We upload new episodes every Wednesday night/Thursday morning (UK time). Check us out on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and via our website, and please do subscribe to us and leave us a review if you like what you hear!

It's the Sultans of Swing themselves, yes, Tom and Sam are back to talk all things bands!   Tom kicks us off with a look at the history behind Robin Hood's Band of Merry Men, including a story about Maid Marian and Friar Tuck that reads like bad Twilight fan fiction.   Next, Sam takes a look at the fascinating story of Eric Vogel and the Ghetto Swingers, the concentration camp jazz band forced to play for their lives, and the SS's pleasure.   Next week is a patron exclusive all about pictures! Join our Patreon for access to all episodes, special songs, medals and more amazing perks!  Our next public episode in two weeks is all about the navy and battleships.   Subscribe and listen to us! Apple Music // Podbean // Overcast // Stitcher // TuneIn // Spotify Welcome to That Was Genius: Two blokes. An immature sense of humour. And 10,000 years of human civilisation. A weekly podcast looking at the weirder side of history.   Join Sam Datta-Paulin (he likes history and lives in Britain) and Tom Berry (he also likes history and used to live in New Zealand but is now in the UK as well), for a weekly reflection on the bold, the brilliant... And the downright strange. From bizarre events and stories to equally odd inventions, barely a day goes by without something incredible (or incredibly stupid) happening around the world.   We upload new episodes every Wednesday night/Thursday morning (UK time).   Check us out on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and via our website, and please do subscribe to us and leave us a review if you like what you hear!

Teenagers, eh? This week is all about errant youth through the ages. Tom kicks us off with a look at public (what we in the UK call private) school rebellions, in which posh kids rose up against their teachers.  Next, Sam takes a look at the Gottorp Fury, the summer in which a young King Charles XII of Sweden let loose in a booze-fuelled summer rampage that nearly lost him his kingdom. Next week is a patron exclusive all about the Olympics! Join our Patreon for access to all episodes, special songs, medals and more amazing perks! Our next public episode in two weeks is all about bands - musical and otherwise! https://www.patreon.com/thatwasgenius Subscribe and listen to us! Apple Music // Podbean // Overcast // Stitcher // TuneIn // Spotify Welcome to That Was Genius: Two blokes. An immature sense of humour. And 10,000 years of human civilisation. A weekly podcast looking at the weirder side of history. Join Sam Datta-Paulin (he likes history and lives in Britain) and Tom Berry (he also likes history and used to live in New Zealand but is now in the UK as well), for a weekly reflection on the bold, the brilliant... And the downright strange. From bizarre events and stories to equally odd inventions, barely a day goes by without something incredible (or incredibly stupid) happening around the world. We upload new episodes every Wednesday night/Thursday morning (UK time). Check us out on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and via our website, and please do subscribe to us and leave us a review if you like what you hear!

To the left to the left, everything you hold in the hand to the left. Yes, it's left handed week! Sam, our resident Southpaw, kicks us off this week with a look at the odd Russian folk tale of Cross-eyed Lefty from Tula and the Steel Flea - a pre-revolutionary story about a poor but very skilled craftsman and a very, very small flea. Next, Tom takes a look at some of the ancient lefties, and how they had a bit of an unfair advantage when it came to sports and fighting... Next week is a patron exclusive all about orgies! Join our Patreon for access to all episodes, special songs, medals and more amazing perks!  https://www.patreon.com/thatwasgenius Subscribe and listen to us! Apple Music // Podbean // Overcast // Stitcher // TuneIn // Spotify Welcome to That Was Genius: Two blokes. An immature sense of humour. And 10,000 years of human civilisation. A weekly podcast looking at the weirder side of history. Join Sam Datta-Paulin (he likes history and lives in Britain) and Tom Berry (he also likes history and used to live in New Zealand but is now in the UK as well), for a weekly reflection on the bold, the brilliant... And the downright strange. From bizarre events and stories to equally odd inventions, barely a day goes by without something incredible (or incredibly stupid) happening around the world. We upload new episodes every Wednesday night/Thursday morning (UK time). Check us out on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and via our website, and please do subscribe to us and leave us a review if you like what you hear!

It's all about trusted advisors and sidekicks this week from your two favourite right-hand men. Tom kicks us off with some of the stories of Raja Birbal (or just Birbal), the 16th Century advisor to Mughal Emperor, Akbar. Witty, petty and sometimes a bit rude, his stories have become the stuff of fairytale! Next, Sam takes to the high seas for a look at Anne Bonny and Mary Reade, two 18th Century pirates who dragged up and dressed as men to loot and pillage their way across the Caribbean as the closest advisors (and occasional lovers) of Captain 'Calico' Jack Rackham.   Next week is a patron exclusive all about lost lands, join our Patreon for access to all episodes, special songs, medals and more amazing perks!  https://www.patreon.com/thatwasgenius Subscribe and listen to us! Apple Music // Podbean // Overcast // Stitcher // TuneIn // Spotify Welcome to That Was Genius: Two blokes. An immature sense of humour. And 10,000 years of human civilisation. A weekly podcast looking at the weirder side of history. Join Sam Datta-Paulin (he likes history and lives in Britain) and Tom Berry (he also likes history and used to live in New Zealand but is now in the UK as well), for a weekly reflection on the bold, the brilliant... And the downright strange. From bizarre events and stories to equally odd inventions, barely a day goes by without something incredible (or incredibly stupid) happening around the world. We upload new episodes every Wednesday night/Thursday morning (UK time). Check us out on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and via our website, and please do subscribe to us and leave us a review if you like what you hear!

Is listening to podcasts a hobby? Well here's some more. Only these ones are a bit odd. And rude. Sam kicks us off this week with a look at James 'Jemmy' Hurst, the mad, animal-training Yorkshireman from the 18th century, who rode around on a bull with a pack of hunting pigs, whilst wearing a technicolour dream coat and a 9 foot wide hat. Next, Tom takes a look at some of the... ruder... discoveries by amateur archaeologists in the Portable Antiquities Scheme. A *what* jug!? Next week is a patron exclusive, join our Patreon for access to all episodes, special songs, medals and more amazing perks!  https://www.patreon.com/thatwasgenius Subscribe and listen to us! Apple Music // Podbean // Overcast // Stitcher // TuneIn // Spotify Welcome to That Was Genius: Two blokes. An immature sense of humour. And 10,000 years of human civilisation. A weekly podcast looking at the weirder side of history. Join Sam Datta-Paulin (he likes history and lives in Britain) and Tom Berry (he also likes history and used to live in New Zealand but is now in the UK as well), for a weekly reflection on the bold, the brilliant... And the downright strange. From bizarre events and stories to equally odd inventions, barely a day goes by without something incredible (or incredibly stupid) happening around the world. We upload new episodes every Wednesday night/Thursday morning (UK time). Check us out on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and via our website, and please do subscribe to us and leave us a review if you like what you hear!

A happy marriage of history and 'comedy'*? It must be weddings week!        *in the loosest sense.  Sam starts us off this week with a look at the bizarre and ridiculous marriage of Elisabeth Pallier and Pierre Houlbronne, two 16th Century lovebirds who were married once happily, married once by force (including a jail sentence), and after all that, divorced by Pierre's parents against the not-so-happy couples will. Next, Tom takes a look at the equally unromantic and slightly barbarous marriage practices of ancient Sparta. It turns out they weren't just tough on their enemies; wives and bachelors got a rough deal too. Next week is a patron exclusive, join our Patreon for access to all episodes, special songs, medals and more amazing perks!  https://www.patreon.com/thatwasgenius Subscribe and listen to us! Apple Music // Podbean // Overcast // Stitcher // TuneIn // Spotify Welcome to That Was Genius: Two blokes. An immature sense of humour. And 10,000 years of human civilisation. A weekly podcast looking at the weirder side of history. Join Sam Datta-Paulin (he likes history and lives in Britain) and Tom Berry (he also likes history and used to live in New Zealand but is now in the UK as well), for a weekly reflection on the bold, the brilliant... And the downright strange. From bizarre events and stories to equally odd inventions, barely a day goes by without something incredible (or incredibly stupid) happening around the world. We upload new episodes every Wednesday night/Thursday morning (UK time). Check us out on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and via our website, and please do subscribe to us and leave us a review if you like what you hear!

Eey By Gum, it's accents week! Tom kicks us off with a look at the fascinating (and very short) history of two classic stereotypical accents - the west country pirate we all know and love (but who didn't exist until the 1950s) and the dashing (and very posh) WW2 RAF pilot - who turned out to be a bit more working class in reality! Next, Sam takes a look at Polari, the secret language which began with puppet shows and ended up being a safe haven for Britian's gay community from the 17th Century until the 1960s. Next week is a patron exclusive, join our Patreon for access to all episodes, special songs, medals and more amazing perks!  https://www.patreon.com/thatwasgenius Subscribe and listen to us! Apple Music // Podbean // Overcast // Stitcher // TuneIn // Spotify Welcome to That Was Genius: Two blokes. An immature sense of humour. And 10,000 years of human civilisation. A weekly podcast looking at the weirder side of history. Join Sam Datta-Paulin (he likes history and lives in Britain) and Tom Berry (he also likes history and used to live in New Zealand but is now in the UK as well), for a weekly reflection on the bold, the brilliant... And the downright strange. From bizarre events and stories to equally odd inventions, barely a day goes by without something incredible (or incredibly stupid) happening around the world. We upload new episodes every Wednesday night/Thursday morning (UK time). Become a Member of the Order of the Bathroom and join our Patreon for access to all episodes, special songs, medals and more amazing perks! https://www.patreon.com/thatwasgenius Check us out on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and via our website, and please do subscribe to us and leave us a review if you like what you hear!

Ooh er matron, it's nurses week!  Sam kicks us off with the tale of WW1 best mates, motorbike daredevils and fearless first-aiders Elsie Knocker and Mairi Chisholm, whose bravery in setting up an independent nursing station just metres from the trenches near Ypres earned them fame, medals and more. Next, after a light-hearted start, Tom takes us on a rare serious trip to the Bangka Island massacre of 1942, and Australian nurse Vivian Bullwinkel. Vivian was one of just a few survivors of a Japanese massacre after she, several dozen other nurses and civilians, and a few soldiers were shipwrecked. She went on to spend the war helping troops in a POW camp, and lived a completely normal life after WW2, never talking about at least some of the other horrors she endured. An amazing story, but not one for the faint-hearted! Subscribe and listen to us! Apple Music // Podbean // Overcast // Stitcher // TuneIn // Spotify Welcome to That Was Genius: Two blokes. An immature sense of humour. And 10,000 years of human civilisation. A weekly podcast looking at the weirder side of history. Join Sam Datta-Paulin (he likes history and lives in Britain) and Tom Berry (he also likes history and used to live in New Zealand but is now in the UK as well), for a weekly reflection on the bold, the brilliant... And the downright strange. From bizarre events and stories to equally odd inventions, barely a day goes by without something incredible (or incredibly stupid) happening around the world. We upload new episodes every Wednesday night/Thursday morning (UK time). Become a Member of the Order of the Bathroom and join our Patreon for access to all episodes, special songs, medals and more amazing perks! https://www.patreon.com/thatwasgenius Check us out on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and via our website, and please do subscribe to us and leave us a review if you like what you hear!

  Who's a good boy then? We are, that's who. It's pets week! Tom kicks us off with a look at Wojtek, the Syrian brown bear and Polish army corporal with a penchant for marmalade, cigarettes, stealing underwear and lugging shells on the battlefield. He traveled with the Polish 2nd Corps through Iran, Iraq, the middle east and Italy, making friends along the way (unless you happen to be a Nazi sympathiser hiding in a shower). Next, Sam takes a look at Boye, the bullet-catching, devil-worshipping, invisible spy-poodle, and beloved pet of Prince Rupert of the Rhine in the English civil war. Subscribe and listen to us! Apple Music // Podbean // Overcast // Stitcher // TuneIn // Spotify Welcome to That Was Genius: Two blokes. An immature sense of humour. And 10,000 years of human civilisation. A weekly podcast looking at the weirder side of history. Join Sam Datta-Paulin (he likes history and lives in Britain) and Tom Berry (he also likes history and used to live in New Zealand but is now in the UK as well), for a weekly reflection on the bold, the brilliant... And the downright strange. From bizarre events and stories to equally odd inventions, barely a day goes by without something incredible (or incredibly stupid) happening around the world. We upload new episodes every Wednesday night/Thursday morning (UK time). Check us out on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and via our website, and please do subscribe to us and leave us a review if you like what you hear!

We're going on a history hunt, we're going to find a fun source!Yes, it's traveler week. Tom kicks us off with a look at Till Eulenspiegel (which bizarrely translates as either toilet paper or owl mirror), the ridiculously rude medieval book about an idiot circus performer who farts and poops his way through Germany and the Holy Roman Empire, annoying people along the way.Next, Sam takes us to, erm, Germany again (with an honourable mention for Jimmy Carter's speech about wanting to get to know Poland carnally). This time, he's been learning about Ahnenerbe, the Nazi archaeological society who traveled the world trying to prove that Hitler was related to Buddha, and that Germans come from the lost city of Atlantis. Which is an insane as it sounds - though it did give some inspiration to the villains in Indiana Jones!Subscribe and listen to us! Apple Music // Podbean // Overcast // Stitcher // TuneIn // Spotify Welcome to That Was Genius: Two blokes. An immature sense of humour. And 10,000 years of human civilisation. A weekly podcast looking at the weirder side of history. Join Sam Datta-Paulin (he likes history and lives in Britain) and Tom Berry (he also likes history and used to live in New Zealand but is now in the UK as well), for a weekly reflection on the bold, the brilliant... And the downright strange. From bizarre events and stories to equally odd inventions, barely a day goes by without something incredible (or incredibly stupid) happening around the world. We upload new episodes every Wednesday night/Thursday morning (UK time). Check us out on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and via our website, and please do subscribe to us and leave us a review if you like what you hear! That Was Genius is produced by Glorious Republic Broadcasting.

We tried not to. We begged not to. But the audience demanded: This week we're doing pandemics. In a rare and possibly slightly drunken display of bravado, Sam goes first this week with a look at the bizarre phenomenon of 'Mass Psychogenic Illness'; where madness becomes momentarily contageous. Sometimes it's becoming convinced your windscreen is being smashed repeatedly, sometimes it's smelling gas that isn't there, fainting at work because of imaginary illness or, in the case of several 14th Century nuns, becoming convinced en-masse that you are cats.  Next, Tom gives us a peek into the thoroughly miserable time everyone was having during the 30 years war from 1618-1648 - when plagues ripped through the land and people were getting thrown out of windows for no obvious reason (and surviving, only to be taunted about it with silly nicknames). Subscribe and listen to us! Apple Music // Podbean // Overcast // Stitcher // TuneIn // Spotify Welcome to That Was Genius: Two blokes. An immature sense of humour. And 10,000 years of human civilisation. A weekly podcast looking at the weirder side of history. Join Sam Datta-Paulin (he likes history and lives in Britain) and Tom Berry (he also likes history and used to live in New Zealand but is now in the UK as well), for a weekly reflection on the bold, the brilliant... And the downright strange. From bizarre events and stories to equally odd inventions, barely a day goes by without something incredible (or incredibly stupid) happening around the world. We upload new episodes every Wednesday night/Thursday morning (UK time). Check us out on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and via our website, and please do subscribe to us and leave us a review if you like what you hear! That Was Genius is produced by Glorious Republic Broadcasting.

It's not high kicks, it's not karate kicks, oh no, it's sidekick week. A bit of a tricky one this week, if we're being honest. Tom's been looking at the odd triangle of sidekickery between the Byzantine emperor Justinian, his wife Theodora (known for her very public and quite voracious sexual appetites), general Belesarius and two-faced, bet hedging historian Precopius, whose unfortunate job it was to write about all three. Meanwhile, Sam's been looking into duelling. Specifically women duelling, and extra specifically the bizarre (alleged) duel between Princess Pauline Matternich and Countess Anastasia Kielmannsegg, who took up swords in a disagreement over flower arrangements. They also happened to be fighting topless for... erm, medical reasons. Subscribe and listen to us! Apple Music // Podbean // Overcast // Stitcher // TuneIn // Spotify Welcome to That Was Genius: Two blokes. An immature sense of humour. And 10,000 years of human civilisation. A weekly podcast looking at the weirder side of history. Join Sam Datta-Paulin (he likes history and lives in Britain) and Tom Berry (he also likes history and used to live in New Zealand but is now in the UK as well), for a weekly reflection on the bold, the brilliant... And the downright strange. From bizarre events and stories to equally odd inventions, barely a day goes by without something incredible (or incredibly stupid) happening around the world. We upload new episodes every Wednesday night/Thursday morning (UK time). Check us out on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and via our website, and please do subscribe to us and leave us a review if you like what you hear! That Was Genius is produced by Glorious Republic Broadcasting.

This episode's all about guts, balls, and lofty ambitions to wow a crowd. Yes, it's daredevil week! Desperate to avoid traditional daredevils if we can, Tom's been looking at the horrifically violent ancient sport of mob football - banned by most medieval towns in England for being too dangerous (it had no rules except 'don't murder' but still led to several deaths) but still being played in a few small villages centuries later - with the rivalries as old and violent as ever! Meanwhile Sam's been looking at the hot air balloon pioneer and Neapolitan nobleman Vincenzo Lunardi, who spent the 1780s whipping through the clouds and wooing the crowds - especially the ladies - in London. It's a story involving frozen cats, vomiting dogs, a LOT of wine, and a trip and fall which led to the first entrants into the mile high club. Subscribe and listen to us! Apple Music // Podbean // Overcast // Stitcher // TuneIn // Spotify Welcome to That Was Genius: Two blokes. An immature sense of humour. And 10,000 years of human civilisation. A weekly podcast looking at the weirder side of history. Join Sam Datta-Paulin (he likes history and lives in Britain) and Tom Berry (he also likes history and used to live in New Zealand but is now in the UK as well), for a weekly reflection on the bold, the brilliant... And the downright strange. From bizarre events and stories to equally odd inventions, barely a day goes by without something incredible (or incredibly stupid) happening around the world. We upload new episodes every Wednesday night/Thursday morning (UK time). Check us out on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and via our website, and please do subscribe to us and leave us a review if you like what you hear! That Was Genius is produced by Glorious Republic Broadcasting.

In out in out shake it all about, it's movement week! Tom starts us off this week with a whistlestop tour of the humble Waltz, a dance deemed too risque for stuffy bishops because it involved (shock horror) touching!  Next up, Sam takes us to the Wild West and Mary 'Stagecoach' fields, the first black woman stagecoach driver in the US. A ripped, gun-toting, bar-room brawling, horse hitching badass who started delivering mail across the mountains in her 60s, and was never late once. Subscribe and listen to us! Apple Music // Podbean // Overcast // Stitcher // TuneIn // Spotify Welcome to That Was Genius: Two blokes. An immature sense of humour. And 10,000 years of human civilisation. A weekly podcast looking at the weirder side of history. Join Sam Datta-Paulin (he likes history and lives in Britain) and Tom Berry (he also likes history and used to live in New Zealand but is now in the UK as well), for a weekly reflection on the bold, the brilliant... And the downright strange. From bizarre events and stories to equally odd inventions, barely a day goes by without something incredible (or incredibly stupid) happening around the world. We upload new episodes every Wednesday night/Thursday morning (UK time). Check us out on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and via our website, and please do subscribe to us and leave us a review if you like what you hear! That Was Genius is produced by Glorious Republic Broadcasting.

The name's Genius. That Was Genius. Yes, it's spy week! Pew pew pew! Tom starts with a guide to simple sabotage by the OSS (later CIA ) in WW2. Now available to download (so you can kick start your own revolution), it's a handy, step by step guide to just really annoying people and being a bit of a p**k. Which according to the CIA, might just be enough to overthrow the Government. So get cracking.Next, Sam's got the story of Noor Inayat Khan, the reluctant, pacifist Indian Princess who became an allied spy in occupied Paris, despite some pretty scathing reviews of her ability from her superiors.  It's a great episode. Subscribe and listen to us! Apple Music // Podbean // Overcast // Stitcher // TuneIn // Spotify Welcome to That Was Genius: Two blokes. An immature sense of humour. And 10,000 years of human civilisation. A weekly podcast looking at the weirder side of history. Join Sam Datta-Paulin (he likes history and lives in Britain) and Tom Berry (he also likes history and used to live in New Zealand but is now in the UK as well), for a weekly reflection on the bold, the brilliant... And the downright strange. From bizarre events and stories to equally odd inventions, barely a day goes by without something incredible (or incredibly stupid) happening around the world. We upload new episodes every Wednesday night/Thursday morning (UK time). Check us out on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and via our website, and please do subscribe to us and leave us a review if you like what you hear! That Was Genius is produced by Glorious Republic Broadcasting.

The head bone's connected to the... Knee bone. Hmmm. It's probably best that we're historians talking about body parts, rather than actual doctors. Tom kicks us off this week with the horrific story of William Lanne, one of the last remaining 'full-blooded' Aboriginal Tasmanians. His heritage led to the pretty appalling treatment of his corpse when he died, from people wanting to examine him... And people wanting a piece of him. Next, and in a turn from tragedy to very, very much comedy, Sam looks at the Native American legend of 'Old Man' - the bad tempered and cunning God and prankster - and how he made our bottoms all wrinkly. Subscribe and listen to us! Apple Music // Podbean // Overcast // Stitcher // TuneIn // Spotify Welcome to That Was Genius: Two blokes. An immature sense of humour. And 10,000 years of human civilisation. A weekly podcast looking at the weirder side of history. Join Sam Datta-Paulin (he likes history and lives in Britain) and Tom Berry (he also likes history and used to live in New Zealand but is now in the UK as well), for a weekly reflection on the bold, the brilliant... And the downright strange. From bizarre events and stories to equally odd inventions, barely a day goes by without something incredible (or incredibly stupid) happening around the world. We upload new episodes every Wednesday night/Thursday morning (UK time). Check us out on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and via our website, and please do subscribe to us and leave us a review if you like what you hear! That Was Genius is produced by Glorious Republic Broadcasting.

It's time to *lift* your spirits, *stretch* the truth, and *work out* exactly what the sources are telling us in an episode all about health and fitness! Yes, after a week's break we're back, re-united in the UK at last! Although we still live several hundred miles apart. Sam kicks us off with a look at Jean II le Meingre, better known as Boucicaut, the 14th Century French knight with a knack for kicking butts, and a workout regime to match it. A hardcore, slightly silly workout regime. Next, Tom takes a look at the pankration, the brutal, bloody and usually oiled and naked ancient Greek art of wrestling. Which involved a lot of chocking to death, clubbing to death, and occasional eye gouging (which was the only thing against the rules). Subscribe and listen to us! Apple Music // Podbean // Overcast // Stitcher // TuneIn // Spotify Welcome to That Was Genius: Two blokes. An immature sense of humour. And 10,000 years of human civilisation. A weekly podcast looking at the weirder side of history. Join Sam Datta-Paulin (he likes history and lives in Britain) and Tom Berry (he also likes history and used to live in New Zealand but is now in the UK as well), for a weekly reflection on the bold, the brilliant... And the downright strange. From bizarre events and stories to equally odd inventions, barely a day goes by without something incredible (or incredibly stupid) happening around the world. We upload new episodes every Wednesday night/Thursday morning (UK time). Check us out on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and via our website, and please do subscribe to us and leave us a review if you like what you hear! That Was Genius is produced by Glorious Republic Broadcasting.

There once was a podcast on history. And why they still did it's a mystery. This week's about verse, so Sam's picked the worst. And Tom's done Catullus for his story. Yes, it's poetry week! Tom kicks us off with a look at the absolutely filthy mind of the famed Roman poet Catullus. Telling your rival to quite literally suck your d**k has never sounded so beautiful. Next, Sam takes us on a tour of the poets and poems widely believed to be the worst in the English language: The Tay Bridge Disaster by William McGonagall, A Tragedy by Theophile Marzials, and On Visiting Westminster Abbey by Amanda McKittrick Ros. Three terrible poems, topped by a very funny, very rude one from Gulliver's Travels author, Jonathan Swift. Subscribe and listen to us! Apple Music // Podbean // Overcast // Stitcher // TuneIn // Spotify Welcome to That Was Genius: Two blokes. A 12-hour time difference. An immature sense of humour. And 10,000 years of human civilisation. A weekly podcast looking at the weirder side of history. Join Sam Datta-Paulin (he likes history and lives in Britain) and Tom Berry (he also likes history but lives in New Zealand), for a weekly reflection on the bold, the brilliant... And the downright strange. From bizarre events and stories to equally odd inventions, barely a day goes by without something incredible (or incredibly stupid) happening around the world. We upload new episodes every Wednesday night/Thursday morning (UK time). Check us out on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and via our website, and please do subscribe to us and leave us a review if you like what you hear! That Was Genius is produced by Glorious Republic Broadcasting.