Podcasts by The History of Fun
The History of Fun explores the hidden backstories behind the things you enjoy. This season, we’re diving into the amazing origins of your favorite holiday traditions. Join Polygon’s Russ Frushtick, Allegra Frank, and Chris Plante each week as they embark on a new quest to uncover these common-yet-mysterious customs. Produced by Polygon and the Vox Media Podcast Network.
Further podcasts by Polygon
Podcast on the topic Hobbys
All episodes
Dreidel and Hannukah: A Brief History from 2018-12-17T06:00
Join us for another episode of The History of Fun! This week we're looking into the fascinating origins of the dreidel of Hannukah. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adcho...
ListenThe Yule Lads&Yule Cat of Iceland: A Brief History from 2018-12-10T06:01
A brief history of The Yule Lads and The Yule Cat of Iceland. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
ListenBlack Friday: A Brief History from 2018-12-03T06:29
A brief history of Black Friday. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
ListenKrampus, the Anti-Santa: A Brief History from 2018-11-26T06:17
A brief history of Krampus, the anti-Santa. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
ListenPresidential Turkey Pardon: A Brief History from 2018-11-19T06:10
A brief history of the Presidential Turkey Pardon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
ListenThe Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade: A Brief History from 2018-11-12T06:21
A brief history of The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
ListenTrick or Treating: A Brief History from 2018-11-05T06:00
Chris Plante dives deep into the fascinating origins of Trick or Treating. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
ListenMischief Night before Halloween: A Brief History from 2018-10-29T05:00
A brief history of Mischief Night, the night before Halloween Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
ListenComing soon: Holiday Traditions from 2018-09-25T04:46:26
We're excited to announce that we're doing an extra special second season of The History of Fun, all about the origins of our favorite holiday traditions. Trick or treating! Krampus! The Icelandic ...
ListenThe Sharper Image: A Brief History from 2018-08-27T05:00
While this episode is focused on both Brookstone and The Sharper Image, we all know which one sold full-sized replicas of The Predator, so we're just gonna go ahead and call this The Sharper Image ...
ListenKaraoke: A Brief History from 2018-08-20T05:01
This week on The History of Fun, Allegra regales us with the origins of Karaoke and the man that made it all happen. Pro-tip: Make sure you're really good if you ever try to sing "My Way." Learn mo...
ListenSNICK: A Brief History from 2018-08-13T05:14
Alright, it's a Saturday night, it's 1995. What are you gonna do? Well, you're probably going to leave the lights on because you're watching ARE YOU AFRAID OF THE DARK? and other SNICK classics. Th...
ListenWater Parks: A Brief History from 2018-08-06T05:09
Just when you thought it was safe to go back to the water parks. Today Allegra Frank brings you the twisted history of waterparks and where they came from. She also decides to focus on some pretty ...
ListenManga: A Brief History from 2018-07-30T05:27
This week on The History of Fun, Allegra Frank fills us all in on the origins of MANGA and its biggest franchise: Shonen Jump. Yes, if you've always been perplexed about the world of manga, this is...
ListenMission Impossible: A Brief History from 2018-07-20T05:00
This week we welcome special guest Matt Patches to discuss the history of Mission Impossible, from its origins as a Cold War-era TV show to the every-4-years film franchise we've come to know and l...
ListenTI-83 Gaming: A Brief History from 2018-07-16T05:04
Whether it's Drug Wars or that weird penguin platforming game, the TI-83 calculator had something for everyone! On this episode we welcome special guest, Jon Bois of SBNation, to talk about the mag...
ListenThe FIFA World Cup: A Brief History from 2018-07-09T05:10
With Chris Plante on vacation we welcome none other than Colin Campbell, resident soccer expert (so much so that he calls it football!), to talk about the origins and some of the wacky moments from...
ListenThe 4th of July Hot Dog Eating Contest: A Brief History from 2018-07-02T05:00
On this, the week of America's independence, we celebrate the ability for humans to consume low-grade meat at extremely fast rates. Chris Plante digs into the surprisingly-fraught history of the wo...
ListenEarly Roller Coasters: A Brief History from 2018-06-25T05:04
This week on The History of Fun, we're diving into the origins of the roller coaster. We're not talking about your grand pappy's roller coaster! Well, actually we kinda are. And maybe your great gr...
ListenHello Kitty: A Brief History from 2018-06-18T04:56
Quite possibly the world's most famous cat (take that Garfield), Sanrio's Hello Kitty is a juggernaut. But where did this strange cat without a mouth come from? And could it be possible that she's ...
ListenE3: A Brief History from 2018-06-07T05:00
It's the most well-known gaming conference, but its humble origins may surprise you! This week we're diving into the history of E3, home to Sonic, Mario and all your friends. Chris Plante is on the...
ListenJohn Madden Football: A Brief History from 2018-06-04T05:42
Even if you don't care about football and don't give a hoohah about Jonathan Madden and his bus-loving stylings, the story of the biggest sports game franchise ever is quite a yarn! Join Chris Plan...
ListenSports Mascots: A Brief History from 2018-05-28T05:10
This week on The History of Fun we're diving into three major icons in the history of Sports Mascotting. Yes, it's important and stuff! Discover the early days of mascots, the most famous dog masco...
ListenPokemon Cards: A Brief History from 2018-05-21T05:22
This week we're exploring a very specific part of the Pokemon phenomenon: Pokemon Cards! Where did they come from? Are they still around? What do they have to do with Magic: The Gathering? Allegra ...
ListenThe Undertaker Threw Mankind Off Hell in a Cell: A Brief History from 2018-05-14T05:05
This week on The History of Fun we're inviting friend of the show and resident wrestling expert, Patrick Gill, to talk about an infamous moment in wrestling history, but don't don’t let this man di...
ListenThe World's Fair: A Brief History from 2018-05-07T05:04
There was once a time where countries would throw these raucous, baller parties just to show off how dope they are. They were called World's Fairs. And although they technically still exist, they r...
ListenVirtual Boy: A Brief History from 2018-04-30T05:16
The wackiest (and most disasterous) Nintendo console of all time goes under the microscope! Who's bright idea was it to create this silly helmet contraption in the first place? Will it make you go ...
ListenNeopets: A Brief History from 2018-04-23T05:00
Neopets seem to be popping in the news lately, so we thought we'd shift this episode up a little bit in our schedule so y'all could learn the truth behind the craze that swept the internet. Allegra...
ListenTrampolines: A Brief History from 2018-04-16T05:11
It's fair to say that no toy in the history of the world has caused more carnage than the trampoline. Seems like a perfect fit for Allegra Frank, who clearly hates them but decided, yet again, to p...
ListenTamagotchi: A Brief History from 2018-04-09T05:30
Ah, those gloriously-needy little egg babies! Today Russ is delving into the history of Tamagotchi, from their humble origins as aliens found in a lake by a lonely man to a worldwide juggernaut to ...
ListenToys R Us: A Brief History from 2018-04-02T05:06
Sorry I wasn't able to figure out how to type a backwards R here. Anyway, Chris Plante is back in action, sharing the epic origins of Toys R Us. Unfortunately this episode was RIPPED FROM THE HEADL...
ListenRoller Derby: A Brief History from 2018-03-26T05:18
Because sticking wheels on your feet wasn't dangerous enough, today we welcome special guest Abby Russell from Giant Bomb, to talk about the history of roller derby. Learn more about your ad choic...
ListenOreos: A Brief History from 2018-03-19T05:10
What could be more fun than the Oreo cookie? Today we welcome special guest Daniela Galarza from Eater as she discusses the origins of the Oreo as well as what the future holds! Learn more about yo...
ListenLEGO: A Brief History from 2018-03-12T05:00
This week we explore the humble origins of the Lego Building Block, thanks to special guest Clayton Ashley! Denmark was forever changed, and you will be too! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit...
ListenHappy Meals: A Brief History from 2018-03-05T17:52
What kid didn't love making a weekly trip to McDonald's for a chance at a transforming shake toy? Today we're looking at the history of the McDonald's Happy Meal. This episode was very obviously no...
ListenMr. Potato Head: A Brief History from 2018-02-26T06:09
What a tangled web this starchy toy has weaved throughout the years. Sit back and let Chris Plante fill you in on the sorted adventures of Mr. Potato Head and his brood. Learn more about your ad ch...
ListenPoker: A Brief History from 2018-02-19T06:00
Get ready to lose your shirt! This week Russ takes us into the scaly underbelly of the origins of poker. Matt Damon rejoice! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
ListenJump Rope: A Brief History from 2018-02-12T06:20
All you need is a rope, two hands, and a dream. Let Allegra Frank lead you through the history of the mighty jumping rope! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
ListenDuke Nukem Forever: A Brief History from 2018-02-05T06:16
What happens when a game gets delayed? And delayed? And delayed again? Let Chris Plante tell the sorted tale of Duke Nukem Forever, the game that never was and then suddenly actually was. Learn mor...
ListenSledding: A Brief History from 2018-01-29T16:13:15
Wintertime is upon us. How long have people been hitting the slopes? Let's find out! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
ListenN-Gage: A Mercifully Brief History from 2018-01-22T17:26
The world has never seen a device quite like the N-Gage. Actually, that's not true. There was a second one. Why, oh, why, you ask? Allegra Frank is on the case! Learn more about your ad choices. Vi...
ListenTokyo DisneySea: A Brief History from 2018-01-15T07:20
If you've never heard of it before, prepare to be introduced to one of the most incredible and over-the-top theme parks in the history of the world: Tokyo DisneySea. Take it away, Chris Plante! Lea...
ListenGoldenEye 007: A Brief History from 2018-01-08T08:00
This week we explore one of the most well-known shooters of all time: GoldenEye 007 on the N64. Join us as we dig deep into the insanely disaster-prone, understaffed team that managed to pull off t...
ListenStreet Fighter (The Movie): A Brief History from 2017-12-25T07:00
In this episode, Chris Plante delves into the seedy underbelly that was the production of Street Fighter: The Movie, starring Jean-Claude Van Damme. He promises drugs, booze and celebrity scandal. ...
ListenSuper Mario Kart: A Brief History from 2017-12-18T17:00
In today's episode we explore our very first video game: Super Mario Kart. Yes, the very first entry in the long-running Mario Kart series isn't exactly the most beloved, but it's good to know wher...
ListenDodgeball (aka Deathball): A Brief History from 2017-12-11T16:24:28
On today's episode, Allegra takes the reigns and walks Russ and Chris through the dangerous origins of the game most known as Dodgeball. Where did it come from? Who is fighting against it? Why was ...
ListenChuck E. Cheese: A Brief History from 2017-12-11T16:20:31
Whether you spent time there as a child or it just haunts your dreams when you close your eyes at night, Chuck E. Cheese is a mainstay of American culture. Today we explore the hidden wonders / hor...
ListenMonopoly: A Brief History from 2017-12-11T16:13:31
Ah, Monopoly, the game that lasts forever and makes you hate your friends. In their first episode, Russ Frushtick, Allegra Frank and Chris Plante explore the origins of the Parker Bros. game from h...
ListenWelcome to The History of Fun from 2017-12-08T14:12:07
Ever wonder who came up with the idea for Monopoly? Or where the Chuck E. Cheese robots come from? Or what caused the downfall of the Beanie Babies? Join Polygon's Russ Frushtick, Allegra Frank and...
ListenWelcome to The History of Fun from 2017-12-08T14:12:07
Ever wonder who came up with the idea for Monopoly? Or where the Chuck E. Cheese robots come from? Or what caused the downfall of the Beanie Babies? Join Polygon's Russ Frushtick, Allegra Frank and...
ListenWelcome to The History of Fun from 2017-12-08T14:12:07
Ever wonder who came up with the idea for Monopoly? Or where the Chuck E. Cheese robots come from? Or what caused the downfall of the Beanie Babies? Join Polygon's Russ Frushtick, Allegra Frank and...
Listen