That Was Genius - A Funny History Podcast-logo

That Was Genius - A Funny History Podcast

Comedy

A comedy history podcast looking at the forgotten side of the past. The jokes are silly, the accents are terrible, and the history will amaze you.

Location:

United Kingdom

Genres:

Comedy

Description:

A comedy history podcast looking at the forgotten side of the past. The jokes are silly, the accents are terrible, and the history will amaze you.

Language:

English

Contact:

00447814848158


Episodes
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A Stephen Hawking-Shaped Adult Toy (Swearing week) - That Was Genius Episode 134

3/31/2022
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!

Duration:00:45:00

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A Jacket Made of Condoms and Geese (Stock Market Week) - That Was Genius Episode 133

2/26/2022
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!

Duration:00:54:15

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The Artful Todger (medical procedures and men behaving badly week) - That Was Genius Episode 131

2/6/2022
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!

Duration:00:50:39

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260 Menopausal Librarians (Trains week) - That Was Genius episode 129

1/20/2022
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!

Duration:00:44:45

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We‘re taking a break - but we‘ll be back!

11/4/2021
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)

Duration:00:05:07

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Tom‘s Ping-Pong Canary Show (Traditions week) - That Was Genius Episode 127

10/21/2021
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!

Duration:00:58:05

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Minor Lion-Based Surgery (Feats of Survival week) - That Was Genius Episode 125

10/7/2021
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!

Duration:00:56:11

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The Misadventures of Florida Man (Internet week) - That Was Genius Episode 123

9/16/2021
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!

Duration:00:56:52

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We‘re Bim Bam Bina Back (Italy week) - That Was Genius Episode 121

9/3/2021
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!

Duration:01:03:03

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That Was Genius Episode 119 - The Many Follies of Heidi Klum (Gardening week Patron exclusive!)

8/4/2021
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!

Duration:01:07:54

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The Puckered Window of a Public Toilet (Glass week) - That Was Genius Episode 118

7/22/2021
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!

Duration:00:59:21

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Poop On The Desk To Get The Job (Rivalries week) - That Was Genius Episode 116

7/8/2021
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!

Duration:01:14:15

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That Was Genius Episode 114 - A Rowdy Witches Hen Party (Canada week)

6/26/2021
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!

Duration:01:03:44

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Yeast and Ship-Slime, PI (Medicine week) - That Was Genius Episode 112

6/4/2021
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!

Duration:01:04:17

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Prick It, Twist It, Feck It (Slippery Situations week) - That Was Genius Episode 110

5/21/2021
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!

Duration:01:09:07

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The Sound of Something Trapped in the Ice-Cream Truck (Farming week) - That Was Genius Episode 108

5/6/2021
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!

Duration:00:58:34

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A Yurt-Juggling Sensation (Whacky Races week) - That Was Genius Episode 106

4/22/2021
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!

Duration:01:20:36

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A 30-Year Genital Drawing Apprenticeship (Cartoons week) -That Was Genius Episode 104

4/1/2021
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!

Duration:01:04:42

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A Little Claggy Lump of Independence (Small week) - That Was Genius Episode 102

3/17/2021
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!

Duration:04:16:59

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That Was Genius EPISODE 100 - The Terrible Sperma of Terra Firma (100 week)

3/3/2021
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!

Duration:01:04:17