Hypnotic History

Sit back with a tall glass of groundhog punch and find out if groundhogs are more accurate than meteorologists. Sources:Andrew, Scottie. “The bizarre history of Groundhog Day and Punxsutawney Phil.” CNN, 1 February 2023, https://www.cnn.com/2023/02/01/us/groundhog-day-weird-history-punxsutawney-phil-cec.“Groundhog Day.” Punxsutawney Groundhog Club, https://www.groundhog.org/groundhog-day/.Klein, Christopher. “Groundhog Was Once on Punxsutawney's Menu | HISTORY.” History.com, 2 February 2015, https://www.history.com/articles/groundhog-was-once-on-punxsutawneys-menu. Schowe, Devan. “Groundhog Day: The Dark Side of Punxsutawney Phil’s Shadow.” Born Free USA, 30 January 2025, https://www.bornfreeusa.org/2025/01/30/groundhog-day-the-dark-side-of-punxsutawney-phils-shadow/.

The women who traveled alone through the Appalachian Mountains to deliver books.Sources:Brooks, Laken. “Ellen Woodward and the Women Who Brought Literacy to Southern Families.” National Trust for Historic Preservation, 12 January 2021, https://savingplaces.org/stories/ellen-woodward-and-the-women-who-brought-literacy-to-southern-families.McGraw, Eliza. “Horse-Riding Librarians Were the Great Depression's Bookmobiles.” Smithsonian Magazine, 21 June 2017, https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/horse-riding-librarians-were-great-depression-bookmobiles-180963786/.Tabler, Dave. “The Pack Horse Librarians.” Appalachian History.net, 10 January

We’ll tell you whether the original flea markets really had fleas and what million-dollar finds some lucky buyers have found!Sources:“A Brief Guide to the History of Flea Markets.” Town Farmers Market, https://www.cowtownfarmersmarket.com/a-brief-guide-to-the-history-of-flea-markets/.“The Fascinating History of Flea Markets.” The Free Tourist Shop, 25 February 2025, https://www.thefreetourshop.com/blog/origins-of-flea-markets/.“Flea Markets–8 Finds, $16 million.” What Sells Best, https://whatsellsbest.com/pages/lists-flea-market-legends.Riveira, Angelia. A Tale of Two Markets: The People and Culture of American Flea Markets. Auburn University, 2013, Master’s thesis. Auburn University Institutional Repository, http://hdl.handle.net/10415/3864Soniak, Matt. “Why Are Flea Markets Called That?” Mental Floss, 13 February 2023, https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/31795/why-are-flea-markets-called.

The first credit card accounts were approved on vibes and word of mouth!Sources:Frankel, Robin Saks, et al. “History of Credit Cards: When Were Credit Cards Invented? – Forbes Advisor.” Forbes, 5 March 2025, https://www.forbes.com/advisor/credit-cards/history-of-credit-cards/. Luthi, Ben. “The History of Credit Cards.” Experian, 9 March 2024, https://www.experian.com/blogs/ask-experian/the-history-of-credit-cards/.Musinski, Bob. “The History of Credit Cards.” U.S. News & World Report, 16 June 2023, https://money.usnews.com/credit-cards/articles/the-history-of-credit-cards.

We have railroads to thank for our modern New Year’s celebrations.Sources:“A Brief History of New Year's Eve Celebrations in the US - Rock Hill Coca-Cola.” Rock Hill Coca-Cola Bottling Company, 26 December 2023, https://rockhillcoke.com/history/a-brief-history-of-new-years-eve-celebrations-in-the-us/.“Five things you didn't know about American New Year's celebrations.” Southern Methodist University, 15 December 2023, https://www.smu.edu/news/latest/five-things-new-year.Friedman, Jordan. “How Timekeeping Innovations Turned New Year's Into a Midnight Celebration | HISTORY.” History.com, 19 December 2024, https://www.history.com/articles/new-years-eve-time-innovations. “New Year's History: Festive Facts | HISTORY.” History.com, https://www.history.com/articles/new-years-history-festive-facts. “New Year's - Traditions, Resolutions & Date | HISTORY.” History.com, 16 February 2010, https://www.history.com/articles/new-years. “NYE History & Times Square Ball.” Times Square, https://www.timessquarenyc.org/nye/nye-history-times-square-ball.

Your Tamagotchi didn’t really go back to its home planet. Don’t listen unless you think you can handle the truth!Sources:Delgado, Michelle. “A Brief History of Tamagotchi.” Smithsonian Magazine, 22 December 2021, https://www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/keeping-tamagotchi-alive-180979264/. “History | Official Tamagotchi Site.” Tamagotchi, https://tamagotchi-official.com/gb/history/. Rossen, Jake. “A Brief History of the Tamagotchi.” Mental Floss, 5 July 2021, https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/642373/tamagotchi-history.“Tamagotchi (1996 Pet) | Tamagotchi Wiki | Fandom.” Tamagotchi Wiki, https://tamagotchi.fandom.com/wiki/Tamagotchi_(1996_Pet). “Tamagotchi - The Strong National Museum of Play.” Strong Museum, 6 March 2025, https://www.museumofplay.org/games/tamagotchi/.

Because kids adore playing with bags of corn syrup.Sources:Buenz, Will. “What Ever Happened to 'Stretch Armstrong'? New 'Stretchs' in the Works.” Remind Magazine, 23 May 2023, https://www.remindmagazine.com/article/2793/what-ever-happened-to-stretch-armstrong/.Coopee, Todd. “Stretch Armstrong: The Next Chapter – Global Toy News.” Global Toy News, 22 April 2023, https://globaltoynews.com/2023/04/22/stretch-armstrong-the-next-chapter/.“The Origin of Stretch Armstrong.” https://lostmediawiki.com/The_Origin_of_Stretch_Armstrong_(partially_lost_action_figure-licensed_comic_book;_1992).Rossen, Jake. “A Stretchy Past: Remembering Stretch Armstrong.” Mental Floss, 26 April 2018, https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/540565/stretch-armstrong-kenner-toy-retro. VanHooker, Brian. “An Oral History of Stretch Armstrong's Delightful Destructibility.” MEL Magazine, 4 December 2021, https://melmagazine.com/en-us/story/stretch-armstrong.

What don’t they do? There’s one thing in particular.Sources:Coopee, Todd. “Weebles from Hasbro/Romper Room (1971).” Toy Tales, 25 April 2022, https://toytales.ca/weebles-from-hasbro-romper-room-1971/. Gurley, R. J. “Weebles Wobble But They Don't...” Medium, 9 July 2023, https://medium.com/bouncin-and-behavin-blogs/weebles-wobble-but-they-dont-2c16ca031df8.Hall, Sara. “Strongin Made Fun His Business - Newport Beach News.” Newport Beach Independent Newspaper, 13 May 2011, https://www.newportbeachindy.com/strongin-made-fun-his-business/.Townsend, Allie. “Weebles - History's Best Toys: All-TIME 100 Greatest Toys - TIME.” Videos Index on TIME.com, 16 February 2011, https://content.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,2049243_2048657_2049148,00.html.“Weebles.” Nostalgia Central, https://nostalgiacentral.com/pop-culture/toys-games/weebles/.Weebles Wiki, https://weebles.fandom.com

Ever wonder what’s inside the Rubik’s Cube? We’ve got the lowdown as well as how to crack it open and where beginners should start when solving one.Sources:“History‌ ‌of‌ ‌the‌ ‌Speedcubing‌ ‌Community‌ ‌&‌ ‌WCA‌.” World Cube Association, https://www.worldcubeassociation.org/speedcubing-history. “The Official Rubik's Cube | History.” Rubik's Cube, https://www.rubiks.com/history.Reese, Hope. “A Brief History of the Rubik's Cube.” Smithsonian Magazine, 25 September 2020, https://www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/brief-history-rubiks-cube-180975911/. “Rubik's Cube facts for kids.” Kiddle, https://kids.kiddle.co/Rubik%27s_Cube.“Rubik's Cube - The Strong National Museum of Play.” Strong Museum, https://www.museumofplay.org/toys/rubiks-cube/.“A Twist of Fate: The Invention of the Rubik's Cube | Lemelson.” Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation, https://invention.si.edu/invention-stories/twist-fate-invention-rubiks-cube.

100 years of high kicks!Sources:“History of the Radio City Rockettes | The Rockettes.” Radio City Rockettes, https://www.rockettes.com/history/.“The History of the Rockettes.” American Dance, https://www.danceadts.com/Rockettes%20Micro%20Site/Rockette_12_30/rockette_history.htm.“Radio City Rockettes’ Christmas Spectacular History.” Headout, 17 October 2023, https://www.headout.com/blog/radio-city-rockettes-christmas-spectacular-history/.“The Rockettes | History, Dancers, & Facts.” Britannica, https://www.britannica.com/topic/the-Rockettes.“The Radio City Rockettes: New York City's Dancing Queens - The Bowery Boys: New York City History.” The Bowery Boys: New York City History -, 29 November 2024, https://www.boweryboyshistory.com/2024/11/american-kicks-history-of-rockettes.html. Wax, Jennelle. “History of the Rockettes: Rise to the Radio City Christmas Spectacular.” Bella Ballroom, 27 December 2014, https://www.bellaballroom.com/blog/history-of-the-rockettes-rise-to-radio-city/.

How a barn in Hollywood became the place where servicemen rubbed elbows with movie starsSources:“Curtains for the Hollywood Canteen.” The National WWII Museum, 22 November 2020, https://www.nationalww2museum.org/war/articles/hollywood-canteen-ends-1945.“Hollywood Hospitality at the Hollywood Canteen.” The National WWII Museum, 19 September 2017, https://www.nationalww2museum.org/war/articles/hollywood-hospitality-hollywood-canteen. McVay, Benjamin. “The Hollywood Canteen: Service and the Stars.” Cinema Scholars, 9 February 2024, https://cinemascholars.com/the-hollywood-canteen-service-and-the-stars/.Petersen, Anne Helen. “The Hollywood Canteen.” Lapham's Quarterly, 27 November 2012, https://www.laphamsquarterly.org/roundtable/hollywood-canteen.Spiers, Katherine. “The Hollywood barn where 3 million soldiers did the jitterbug.” How To Eat L.A., 17 October 2023, https://www.howtoeatla.com/the-hollywood-barn-where-three-million/.

It’s not the one you were born in, and it cost a pretty penny!Sources:Bizzarri, Amy. “The History of Nudie Suits.” Smithsonian Magazine, 17 May 2023, https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/how-rhinestone-cowboy-from-ukraine-left-his-mark-on-music-world-180982138/.Olenberger, Fritz. “History of Nudie Cohn and his Nudie Suits.” The Carriage and Western Art Museum, https://carriagemuseum.org/history-of-nudie-cohn-and-his-nudie-suits/.Rubenstein, Raeanne. “Nudie Cohn: The Original Rhinestone Cowboy.” Country Music Hall of Fame, https://countrymusichalloffame.org/exhibit/suiting-the-sound/nudie-cohn-the-original-rhinestone-cowboy/.

What cooking an egg has to do with this trippy piece of decor and why its inventor raised some eyebrowsSources:Craven Walker, Christine. “Early Days of the Astro Lava Lamp.” Mathmos, 9 March 2020, https://mathmos.com/mathmos-in-poole/.“Edward Walker | Lemelson.” Lemelson-MIT, https://lemelson.mit.edu/resources/edward-walkerGutoskey, Ellen. “What Is Inside a Lava Lamp?” Mental Floss, 3 January 2020, https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/610455/what-is-inside-a-lava-lamp.Komar, Marlen. “Why are Lava Lamps so Popular?” Apartment Therapy, 23 September 2019, https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/lava-lamps-history-36650881.“Mathmos Lava Lamp Heritage.” Mathmos, https://mathmos.com/heritage/.Tucker, Abigail. “The History of the Lava Lamp.” Smithsonian Magazine, https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/the-history-of-the-lava-lamp-21201966/.

We interrupt this podcast to bring you news of your impending doom.Sources:Falk, Ben. “The Best Alien Invasion Movie You Probably Haven't Seen.” The Companion, 27 May 2023, https://www.thecompanion.app/without-warning-1994/. “Without Warning.” Halloween Wiki, https://halloween.fandom.com/wiki/Without_Warning.“Without Warning (1994).” Moria, https://www.moriareviews.com/sciencefiction/without-warning-1994.htm.“Without Warning (TV Movie 1994).” IMDb, https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0111735/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_2_tt_8_nm_0_in_0_q_without%2520warning. 

Were people in 1938 just more gullible, or was there more at play in convincing the country that aliens had invaded?Sources:Henderson, Amy. “Orson Welles and the 70th anniversary of War of the Worlds.” facetoface, Smithsonian Institute, https://npg.si.edu/blog/orson-welles-and-70th-anniversary-war-worlds.HISTORY.com Editors. “Orson Welles’s ‘War of the Worlds’ radio play is broadcast.” History.com, 29 October 2009, https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/october-30/welles-scares-nation.Schwartz, Brad. “The Infamous ‘War of the Worlds’ Radio Broadcast Was a Magnificent Fluke.” Smithsonian Magazine, 6 May 2015, https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/infamous-war-worlds-radio-broadcast-was-magnificent-fluke-180955180/.

How well do you know your superstitions? Play along with this full-episode true or false session to find out!Sources:Fribush, Abby. “15 Southern Superstitions We Dare Not Dispute.” Southern Living, 26 May 2024, https://www.southernliving.com/southern-superstitions-8643283.Onion, Rebecca. Lists gathering the lost superstitions of early-20th-century America., 1 June 2016, https://slate.com/human-interest/2016/06/lists-gathering-the-lost-superstitions-of-early-20th-century-america.html.@unchartedadam. “Enigmatic Superstitions from Early 20th Century Pennsylvania.” Uncharted Lancaster, 28 April 2024, https://unchartedlancaster.com/2024/04/28/enigmatic-superstitions-from-early-20th-century-pennsylvania/.

Where vampires and congress collide!Sources:“Night Trap – Frights, Camera, Action! – Games From The Black Hole.” Games From The Black Hole, 24 January 2021, https://gamesfromtheblackhole.wordpress.com/2021/01/24/nighttrap/“Night Trap.” Sega Wiki, https://sega.fandom.com/wiki/Night_Trap.Rojas, Fred. “Night Trap: 25th Anniversary Edition Analysis.” Gaming History 101, 17 August 2017, https://gaminghistory101.com/2017/08/17/night-trap-25th-anniversary-edition-analysis/.Russell, Jamie. “The Origins of Night Trap: An Excerpt from Generation Xbox.” Game Developer, 24 April 2012, https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/the-origins-of-i-night-trap-i-an-excerpt-from-generation-xbox.Swift, James. “Night Trap: A 25h Anniversary Retrospective.” Sega Does, 11 August 2017, https://segadoes.com/2017/08/11/night-trap-a-25th-anniversary-retrospective/.

This episode has everything. Cheese caves, cheese operas, cheese lagoons, and an explanation of ham salad.Sources:Blakemore, Erin. “How the US Ended Up With Warehouses Full of 'Government Cheese' | HISTORY.” History.com, 26 July 2018, https://www.history.com/articles/government-cheese-dairy-farmers-reagan. DiModica, Callie. “Cheese Caves and Food Surpluses: Why the U.S. Government currently stores 1.4 billion lbs of cheese.” The Farmlink Project, https://www.farmlinkproject.org/stories-and-features/cheese-caves-and-food-surpluses-why-the-u-s-government-currently-stores-1-4-billion-lbs-of-cheese. Hubbell, Diana. “Why Did the U.S. Government Amass More Than a Billion Pounds of Cheese?” Atlas Obscura, 24 May 2022, https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/government-cheese. Weil, Ellery. “The Saga Behind America's Giant Government Cheese Vaults.” Messy Nessy, 29 September 2023, https://www.messynessychic.com/2023/09/29/the-story-behind-americas-giant-government-cheese-vaults/

For our 100th episode, let’s talk about our namesake: hypnosis!Sources:Ashing, Stuart. “History of the Stage Hypnotist and State Hypnosis Shows.” thedreamweaver, 23 January 2015, https://www.thedreamweaver.co.uk/history-stage-hypnotist-stage-hypnosis-shows/.“History of Hypnosis.” Oregon Society of Clinical Hypnosis, https://www.oregonhypnosis.org/History-of-Hypnosis.Rose, Jane. “Franz Anton Mesmer, the Man Who Invented Hypnotism.” Mental Floss, 27 April 2017, https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/500464/franz-anton-mesmer-man-who-invented-hypnotism.Shah, Nitin. “The Evolution and History of Hypnosis: From Ancient Spiritual Practices to Modern Applications.” ICHARS, 26 February 2014, https://instituteofclinicalhypnosis.com/hypnosis/history-of-hypnosis/.

Hey, Vern, it’s the ad guy who became a Disney star! Knowhutimean?Sources:“Jim Varney - Death, Ernest & Facts.” Biography, 25 May 2021, https://www.biography.com/actor/jim-varney.Lind, J.R. “Worrell History: A Look at the Making of a Cult Classic With Nashville Ties.” Nashville Scene, 2 June 2022, https://www.nashvillescene.com/arts_culture/coverstory/worrell-history-a-look-at-the-making-of-a-cult-classic-with-nashville-ties/article_fb699420-de05-11ec-938a-1b04e63df681.html.“The Official History - Hey Vern! It's Ernest.” - Hey Vern! It's Ernest., 1 June 2013, http://heyvernitsernest.com/about-ernest-jim-varney/.Rossen, Jake. “Hey, Vern: It's the Ernest P. Worrell Story.” Mental Floss, 19 October 2017, https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/507888/hey-vern-its-ernest-p-worrell-story.