Half-Arsed History

The personal computer is an invention that defines the modern information age, a deeply entrenched part of daily life for billions of people all around the world.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Quarter-Arsed History presents: the story of the SS Princess Alice Disaster, when hundreds of people drowned in raw sewage after two ships collided on the River Thames. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week's episode, get to know the remarkable Beatrix Potter, whose historical legacy goes a lot further than just the authorship of an immensely successful series of children's books. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The pill brought about a huge shift in the history of human civilisation, revolutionising the role of women in society, culture, politics, and economics. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Quarter-Arsed History presents: the tale of the Mad Trapper of Rat River, a mysterious figure who led the Royal Canadian Mounted Police on a month-long manhunt through the frozen wilderness. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week's episode, hear about the history behind the names of five nations, all named after real historical figures. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Velcro - or, officially, the hook-and-loop fastener - is a useful little invention that we all still use today, and one that was popularised after helping us get to the Moon.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Quarter-Arsed History presents: the story of W.G. Grace, one of the most famous cricketers from the 19th century, famous for his immense skill which helped to revolutionise the game.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, get across the origin and history of a fierce century-and-a-half sporting rivalry, brought to life whenever Australia face off against England in Test cricket: the Ashes. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The microwave oven came about due to a very lucky accident involving an electrical engineer and chocolate bar, and today is found in billions of homes worldwide. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Quarter-Arsed History presents: the Petrov Affair, when two Soviet spies caused a major political upheaval by defecting to Australia in the 1950s. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week's episode, hear the story of the Dismissal: the 1975 Australian Constitutional Crisis, when Prime Minister Gough Whitlam was turfed out by the governor-general. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The ballpoint pen may not have ushered in a technological revolution as so many other inventions in this series did, but it nonetheless played a significant role in making everyday writing simple, cheap, and relatively smudge-free. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Quarter-Arsed History presents: the story of Robert Curthose, who managed to cause all sorts of headaches for his two kingly brothers, despite being older than both of them. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week's episode, apropos of nothing, meet three historical younger-born princes who nothing but a royal pain in the arse for their older brothers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Penicillin was a miraculous, marvellous discovery that revolutionised modern medicine and saved millions upon millions of lives, ushering in the age of antibiotics, where a little scratch doesn't result in amputation or death.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Quarter-Arsed History presents: the story of the Venus de Milo, the most famous ancient statue in the world, and perhaps second-most famous artwork in the Louvre.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week's episode, learn about the Louvre's most infamous heist: the time that the Mona Lisa itself was stolen by an Italian carpenter named Vincenzo Peruggia.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Plastic is everywhere - these days, it's impossible to live a completely plastic-free life; but that's not necessarily entirely a bad thing, as even with all its environmental ills, plastic has nonetheless ushered in an age of material abundance.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Quarter-Arsed History presents: the Lake Nyos Disaster, when over 1,700 people living around Lake Nyos mysteriously perished one night in 1986.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week's episode, get stuck into the mystery of the Tichborne Claimant, when a butcher from Wagga Wagga claimed to be the long-lost heir to a British noble family's fortune. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The aeroplane completely transformed human civilisation across the 20th century, bringing immense change to travel, transport, logistics, and military affairs. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Quarter-Arsed History presents: the story of Roy Sullivan, a US National Park Ranger who was hit by lightning on seven separate occasions, surviving each time to tell the tale. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week's episode, get to know Matthew Flinders, the explorer and navigator who was the first person to circumnavigate Australia - and later popularised the name we all use to refer to it today. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Radio brought about a revolution in communications technology, allowing widespread wireless communication across great distances and bringing about an age of broadcast entertainment, while forever changing international commercial, industrial, and military affairs. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Quarter-Arsed History presents: more of the silliest laws still in effect in Tasmania, Western Australia, and South Australia including posing an an architect, challenging someone to a duel, and getting stuck in a fridge.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week's episode, uncover the truth behind five more historical misconceptions: what Roman vomitoriums were used for, mediaeval life expectancies, Dom Perignon inventing champagne, Mussolini making the trains run on time, and chloroform knocking you out instantly. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Aspirin was one of the very first mass-produced pharmaceuticals, and its invention and development has a very interesting backstory filled with disagreement and uncertainty. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Quarter-Arsed History presents: the silliest laws still on the books in Victoria, NSW, and Queensland - including prohibitions against corresponding with pirates, riding bikes backwards, and keeping rabbits as pets. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week's episode, meet Matilda of Tuscany, also known as the "Great Countess", a woman who played a very important role in the politics of the Papacy and the Holy Roman Empire at the outset of the Investiture Controversy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The X-ray machine changed medicine forever, enabling an easy and (eventually) safe way to see inside the human body non-invasively for diagnosis and treatment. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Quarter-Arsed History presents: a brief summary of some of the most absurd laws that are, technically speaking, still in force across the UK - including suspiciously handling a fish, carrying a ladder down the street, and including getting drunk in a pub. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week's episode, meet Dick Turpin, an 18th-century highwayman who passed into English folklore for his daring predations as a violent criminal. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The automobile is one of the most transformative inventions in human history, completely changing the way transportation, society, culture, business, industry, and so much more work within modern human civilisation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Quarter-Arsed History presents: the story of the death of Allan Pinkerton, a story that is completely and totally distinct from the one cut from History's Strangest Deaths for legal reasons.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week's episode, get to know Khan Krum the Fearsome, a 9th-century leader of the Bulgarian Empire who is famous for, amongst other things, drinking from the skulls of his enemies. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The light bulb is something found in more or less every room in our homes, today - and while its form and function hasn't changed too much, it has undergone countless improvements and updates across more than a century. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Quarter-Arsed History presents: highlights from the Q&A sessions from the live show in Maroochydore, including questions on the research that went into the book, how future historians will reflect on Covid, the strongest influences on Half-Arsed History's development, and a whole bunch of silly nonsense at the end. History's Strangest Deaths, the first Half-Arsed History book, is now available! Buy your copy from Booktopia or A&U:AU/NZ: https://www.booktopia.com.au/history-s-strangest-deaths-riley-knight/book/9781761472589.htmlInternational: https://www.allenandunwin.com/browse/book/Riley-Knight-History's-Strangest-Deaths-9781761472589 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week's episode, get the best kind of advice - unsolicited advice - as to how to bring your creative endeavours to life (there are also a couple of chapters from the book at the end of the episode as well, don't worry). History's Strangest Deaths, the first Half-Arsed History book, is now available! Buy your copy from Booktopia or A&U:AU/NZ: https://www.booktopia.com.au/history-s-strangest-deaths-riley-knight/book/9781761472589.htmlInternational: https://www.allenandunwin.com/browse/book/Riley-Knight-History's-Strangest-Deaths-9781761472589 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The telephone completely changed the way we communicate with one another, making it possible to have an instant back-and-forth conversation across vast distances. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Quarter-Arsed History presents: highlights from the Q&A sessions from the live shows in Sydney and Brisbane, including questions on the book's cover, the next white whale, video content, and whether pancakes are better than waffles (they're not).History's Strangest Deaths, the first Half-Arsed History book, is now available! Buy your copy from Booktopia or A&U:AU/NZ: https://www.booktopia.com.au/history-s-strangest-deaths-riley-knight/book/9781761472589.htmlInternational: https://www.allenandunwin.com/browse/book/Riley-Knight-History's-Strangest-Deaths-9781761472589 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week's episode, enjoy a series of shameful confessions about the mistakes - both those that were found and missed - in History's Strangest Deaths, and listen to a sneaky chapter or two at the end. History's Strangest Deaths, the first Half-Arsed History book, is now available! Buy your copy from Booktopia or A&U:AU/NZ: https://www.booktopia.com.au/history-s-strangest-deaths-riley-knight/book/9781761472589.htmlInternational: https://www.allenandunwin.com/browse/book/Riley-Knight-History's-Strangest-Deaths-9781761472589 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The internal combustion engine is an invention that has completely and irreversibly changed human civilisation and the way we live our lives, unlocking personal transportation, powering global trade networks, and making us reliant on fossil fuels.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Quarter-Arsed History presents: the story of the death of Agha Mohammad Khan Qajar, a glaring omission from History's Strangest deaths - the shah sentenced two servants to death but then delayed the execution by one day, and in the meantime they killed him instead. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week's episode, hear all about the editing and proofreading process that History's Strangest Deaths underwent, as well as a painful confession about one of the mistakes that slipped through the cracks. History's Strangest Deaths, the first Half-Arsed History book, is now available! Buy your copy from Booktopia or A&U:AU/NZ: https://www.booktopia.com.au/history-s-strangest-deaths-riley-knight/book/9781761472589.htmlInternational: https://www.allenandunwin.com/browse/book/Riley-Knight-History's-Strangest-Deaths-9781761472589 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Barbed wire has had a surprisingly large impact on human civilisation, completely changing the agricultural industry across much of the world, while also becoming an unpleasant symbol of oppression through its use in military affairs and incarceration. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Quarter-Arsed History presents: the story of the massacre carried out after Caracalla proposed wedding between himself and the daughter of the Parthian emperor, just time for another real-world wedding that is taking place this week. History's Strangest Deaths, the first Half-Arsed History book, is now available! Buy your copy from Booktopia or A&U:AU/NZ: https://www.booktopia.com.au/history-s-strangest-deaths-riley-knight/book/9781761472589.htmlInternational: https://www.allenandunwin.com/browse/book/Riley-Knight-History's-Strangest-Deaths-9781761472589 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week's episode, get across the behind-the-scenes details when it came to drafting and pitching process for History's Strangest Deaths, as well as a few preview chapters from the book itself. History's Strangest Deaths, the first Half-Arsed History book, is now available! Buy your copy from Booktopia or A&U:AU/NZ: https://www.booktopia.com.au/history-s-strangest-deaths-riley-knight/book/9781761472589.htmlInternational: https://www.allenandunwin.com/browse/book/Riley-Knight-History's-Strangest-Deaths-9781761472589 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The lift has played a very important role in modern building design and construction, sending skyscrapers higher and higher into the air and transforming the layout and densities of cities all around the world. History's Strangest Deaths, the first Half-Arsed History book, is now available! Buy your copy from Booktopia or A&U:AU/NZ: https://www.booktopia.com.au/history-s-strangest-deaths-riley-knight/book/9781761472589.htmlInternational: https://www.allenandunwin.com/browse/book/Riley-Knight-History's-Strangest-Deaths-9781761472589 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Quarter-Arsed History presents: the tragic and gruesome story of the Mayerling Incident, a murder-suicide pact involving the heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne. History's Strangest Deaths, the first Half-Arsed History book, is now available! Buy your copy from Booktopia or A&U:AU/NZ: https://www.booktopia.com.au/history-s-strangest-deaths-riley-knight/book/9781761472589.htmlInternational: https://www.allenandunwin.com/browse/book/Riley-Knight-History's-Strangest-Deaths-9781761472589 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.