Chasing History Radio

Mt Olive Pickles was started with the idea of helping the community and 100 years later they are still doing that. From  pickle festival to donations, this company. Has been on the cutting edge of a lot  groundbreaking decisions. Have a listen and get a little taste of Mt. Olive pickles

A small item called a spider was developed to allow 45 rpm records to be played on 33 rpm spindles. Why as there a difference and what started it all is discussed, but only after a side story about a Phoenician  piece of pottery!

Ever wonder why it is called Easter? Or how did rabbits get involved? Or better yet, why does the Easter bunny brings eggs?? Well, here are some answers.

Sharing history is an amazing and necessary part of  the world. Making that connection especially with children through Hands on, living museums, or reenactments can make it all theatrical more real memorable. Touching history, makes connections which leads to it becoming real. The most amazing point is the ah ha moment when learning is triggered.

 Erkennungsmarke or EKM for short, was a metal ID tag issued to Soldiers in the German Wehrmacht. Interestingly, they do not have the soldiers name on it, just his service number.

The relic Room has acquired some original field casts of Bigfoot footprints. Whether you believe or not, the story behind these casts are some fun stories. 

In 1964, Alaska was the location of the largest earthquake on record for the United States and North America hitting 9.2 on the Richter scale. It is 2nd  in the world only following the1960 9.6 earthquake in Chile.

On February 23,1846, the Liberty Bell cracked, but not for the firs time, but the last. How many times it cracked and its history is an amazing and sometimes strange history.

The lLone Star Fraternity at the University of Akron, has only one chapter and that is true for its entire history. Starting in the 1880s and  still inexistance today, the fraternity has always had close ties to the community.  

A souvenir from the 1933 Worlds Fair that has survived. A unique piece of pottery that would have been bought by visitors to the World Fair. The style and craftsmanship has a history and story all to its own.

Ryan gets to announce that the Relic Room has expanded and now has another site called the Smoky Mountain Antique Mall. Antiques and relics, what better combination can you find. Just come by and check it out!

Ralph Teetor lost his ight when he was 5, but that did not slow him down. Inventing cruise control and 40 other patents, he never considered himself handicapped. His resilience should be a lesson for all.

Again we do not know the exact time that Christmas trees started. Dating back to the medieval era and spreading across Europe. We also don't know how or when they came to the United States. But what we do know is that the history is fascinating.

Even though the true origin of the candy cane is unknown, its history is  full of fun. Starting in Germany and moving to the United States, the candy cane has been enjoyed by people for centuries.

Ryan delves into the historical significence of newspapers to researchers. They are a wealth of information that is disappearing and we are loosing a source of local response to major events.

The life story of Medal of Honor winner Mr. Merrifield is one that shows you there are real supermen out there. From surviving the Civil War  and a tornado to thwarting a kidnapping, he was a man to reckon with. This is one man you would want to sit with and hear his stories.

Join Chase Pipes on Chasing History Radio as we dive into the thrilling world of fossil hunting, from dinosaurs in Montana to Columbian mammoths in New Mexico! Discover how a six-part documentary series captures the painstaking work of digging, preserving, and documenting rare fossils, all while teaching the stories behind these ancient giants. Experience the adventure of the Smoky Mountain Relic Room team as they uncover Ice Age animals, and more, bringing history directly into your hands. Whether you're here for a quick short or a full documentary, every episode shows why history freaking rocks! Catch us live every Thursday on East Tennessee's Mix 105.5 & 106.3, and explore our full content on YouTube at Chasing History and Smoky Mountain Relic Room.

This time we look at the history behind a Halloween treat… candy corn. This candy can divide a group between lovers and haters, but the candy has been around for over 100 years.

Ryan talks about a World War 1 Battle that involved gas attacks that made soldiers look like walking dead. The Battle of Osowiec , was a horrendous attack but an even more amazing resistance by a hugely outnumbered and poisoned group of men. These "dead men"  held out for 12 days!

The Tennessee  Bell Witch legend is well known. But how much is real? We delve into some of the research problems of the legend and what is needed to help keep it real.

During the reign of King Charles II, Thomas Blood attempted to steal the Crown Jewels. It was going well, with one man putting the Royal Orb in his pants, but then they had to run for it. Would they get away or caught and put to death?

For the anniversary of the Addams Family premiere, we look into a little of the history of the show. Where did their names come from? And a house with pink walls are some of the "things" we are talking about today

Invented in 1897 and first sold in 1898, Grape-Nuts has a crazy history. From the time the inventor spent in a famous sanitarium through course cases and into a p[op culture phenomenon, Grape-Nuts has been through it all. It was used in war, exploration, and health crazes, and still in our cereal bowls.

The Battle of Château-Thierry in July 1918 is where American forces helped halt a German offensive. Facing a German advancement, American Expeditionary Forces (AEF) launched a counterattack with French allies, achieving the first American victory of the war. This battle was a key turning point in the Second Battle of the Marne, significantly impacting German plans.

During World War 22, America had to ration some items for the war effort. Using ration books and tokens , Americans could get a fair share of those items. But it was a lot more involved than that

A shiny 17 pound yellow rock found a 12 year old boy leads to the first Gold Rush in the US. Find out where and when in this podcast.  Even the past of the landowner is interesting.

Chase returns after his summer of digging fossils and finding history. You won't believe what he go this summer. Items from a top secret area to fossils, and they will all be in the store soon.

Initially Martha Tabram was listed as a victim of Jack the Ripper and then removed from the list of victims due to the way she was killed. We discuss how she may have Benn a fledgling kill by Jack the Ripper as he was honing his craft. Forensics now would see her killing as him learning and progressing his mode operandi, what do you think?

A frozen Charlotte doll was a one piece porcelain or bisque doll that sold for a penny in the late 1800s. But hoe did it become known as a frozen Charlotte, the story is attached to the death of a real girl named Charlotte. Learn more about these little creepy dolls.

July 17th is national Wrong Way Corrigan day, and we dive into the history of this phase and person. Douglas Corrigan "accidentally flew to Ireland in a plane that should have been grounded. He claimed he went the wrong way because his compass was broke, but did he do it on purpose. Well he said, "That is my story and I am sticking to it, listen to the story and you decide.

After the famous gunfight at the OK corral, there was another shooting that brought Tombstone into the news. Buckskin Frank Leslie shot "Blonde Molle" and then concocted a great story to show he was innocent. But he was caught in his lie, want to know how? Just give a listen.

When did Americans first use fireworks to celebrate Independence Day, you may be wondering? Today's podcast answers that question and the delves into a little 4th of July history. Additionally, we talk about a founding father who thought we are celebrating the wrong day.

On June 26, 1721, Dr Zabdiel Boylston began inoculations in Boston with a Puritan ministers blessing. With his success known, George Washington enacted the first medical mandate in American history. The life saving procedure helped strengthen the continental army and helped win the war.

Fossilized dinosaur poop is know as coprolite and it holds information about the dinosaurs that we can not find out from their bones. Telling about their diets, habitats and lifestyles. Ichnology, the study of coprolite has added many fascinating insights into an time  before man.e

We know who Anne Frank is and what happens in her diary, but what about before and after the diary. We delve into what preceded her writing and into the question of why didn't they try to leave Europe. The we talk about what happens to each one of the eight that were in the annex after they were discovered and arrested.

Notre-Dame de Reims was the sight of continuous fighting during World War I. Despite pleas from the French people;e and even the Pope, this cathedral was continually damaged. The cathedral even became a site of propaganda of both sides.

Today as we look at the wonderful penny, with a long history starting with the establishment of the US Mint  in 1792. Pennies have been with us a long time and have become part of our culture and vernacular. So a penny for your thoughts and let's see what we know.

A table set for the service members who cannot be with us today. Every item set on the table has a very poignant  meaning. The makings and history are what we discuss this time.

Eugene Veal was in a small launch craft, in the harbor when the attack happened. Unable to get to their destroyer , they chose to go back into the fighting , unarmed , and rescue men out of the burning oil coated water. Giving him a new outlook, Eugene Veal would serve for 22 years including the Pacific Theatre, and Korea.

Today we talk about dogs that served in the United States Army that had dog tags. Sheba served as a sentry dog during the Korean War. What she did and what happens to the dogs after the war is what our podcast is all about.

Chase drops in to give us a rundown on what is new in the Relic Room. How we give back a voice to people from the past. And how you can become a caretaker of the artifacts and share the history.

Vivianite is a unique crystal that just so happens to grow on dead things. Vivianite has been found growing on organic materials such as fossil shells, animal waste deposits, peat bogs, sediments, and even on or within decomposing human corpses. So what's going on here?Why does vivianite form on dead bodies?

Gunners Mate First Class Osmond Kelly Ingram was the first enlisted man  killed in WW I. As a torpedo approach the ship he was on , Ingram tried to throw all the depth charges overboard. He was killed preforming the act and won the Medal of Honor, since he saved the ship and all the men aboard. He was the only fatality, and this is his story

Description: Phlebotomy is a very important tool in our medical world, but its history is a little dark. For centuries bloodletting was seen as a cure for many ailments, so a tool was invented to help make the process easier, the fleam. Medical science has sure come a long way.    

During the Vietnam War , over 50 billion pieces of propaganda were dropped on North Vietnam, many of which were safe conduct passes. These passes would encourage defecting to the south and guarantee that the pass holder would not be harmed. This was considered a success since at least 160,00 soldiers used the passes and surrender.

In the early 1900s, birth control was considered obscene, and  distorting it or receiving it through the mail was a criminal offense. So the United States was forced to take a package of birth control devices to court to stop them. But their plans did not turn out as planned.

Popcorn, one of the most popular snacks, has a long and fun history. From 4700 BC popcorn to1,000 year old kernels that still popped, and beyond, this snack delights all. Journey down memory lane with some milestone inventions that keep providing us with POPCORN.

From the prehistoric to the modern, the history of dentistry can be a bit painful. Starting crudely and moving up to the idea of "tooth worms" we slowly and painfully made progress in how we care for our teeth. Then in the 1800s we made amazing leaps in knowledge and treatment, and luckily with the help of novocaine.

Whenever asked about my favorite dinosaur, it has always been the ankylosaurus. The late cretaceous dinosaur that was likened to an armoured tank. This plant eating dinosaur was probably peaceful but because of its club tail, would have been a formidable foe for predators.

From a Roman fertility festival to our "modern" Valentines celebrations, Feb. 14 has a colorful and varied mysterious beginning. Animal sacrifices to chocolates have been associated with this day. And the rest of the history is interesting too.