Written by a model from the transcript; not yet reviewed.
The hosts Connor Tomlinson and Carter Roy explore three of the worst years in human history—1816, 1348, and 536 CE—examining how massive global catastrophes unexpectedly sparked major cultural and technological innovations. They detail how the volcanic winter of 1816 led to the creation of Frankenstein, the modern vampire, and the bicycle, how the Black Death in 1348 inadvertently helped break serfdom and fuel the Renaissance, and how the mysterious darkness of 536 CE combined with Justinian's plague to crash the ancient world. Throughout the episode, the hosts argue that immense destruction often serves as the crucible for profound rebirth, while sharing specific historical details, literary connections, and scientific breakthroughs.
The hosts introduce themselves and explain the premise of the podcast.
Hosts outline the episode’s focus on unbelievable true historical events.
Hosts debate which of the three years was the most devastating and why.
Discussion of Tambora’s eruption, global climate change, famine, and cultural impacts like Frankenstein.
Exploration of the bubonic plague’s origins, spread, societal effects, and misconceptions.
Analysis of the mysterious solar dimming, volcanic dust, and the Justinian plague.
Hosts wrap up, invite listeners to vote, and promote future episodes.
The Year Without a Summerinsight
The year 1816 experienced global famine and snow in June due to a massive volcanic eruption, plunging Europe and North America into misery.
During the summer of 1816, New England experienced June snowstorms that buried new crops and killed birds where they sat.
The April 1815 eruption of Mount Tambora in Indonesia was the largest volcanic eruption in recorded history, killing tens of thousands.
Birth of Frankenstein and Vampiresinsight
Trapped indoors by the gloomy weather of 1816, Mary Shelley wrote Frankenstein and Lord Byron's physician conceptualized the modern vampire.
Invention of the Bicyclestrategy
When the cold of 1816 starved the horse population, a German inventor created a two-wheeled straddle machine as an alternative form of transport.
Catapulting Plague Corpsesstory
During the 1346 siege of Kaffa, a Mongol army allegedly loaded infected dead bodies onto catapults and flung them over the city walls.
The Mystery of 536 CEinsight
The year 536 CE brought an enduring dry fog and a bluish sun that dimmed the northern hemisphere for eighteen months.
In 2018, researchers used a laser to analyze 72 meters of Swiss glacier ice and discovered volcanic glass linking the 536 fog to an Icelandic eruption.
“The most feared pirate in the Atlantic, the man who terrorized an entire ocean, may never have actually killed anyone?”
Fun fact: Did you know Jaws almost never existed because the shark kept sinking while filming? That is Connor Tomlinson just getting started. If that sounds fascinating, you are going to love Rewind Studios’ new podcast out now called WHAT THE FACT hosted by Connor Tomlinson and Carter Roy. It’s produced by the same team that brings you History's Greatest Mysteries. Connor and co-host Carter Roy pull three unbelievable true facts every week and tell you the full story behind each one. Nothing is off limits. Myths and monsters. Forgotten scandals. Accidental discoveries. Untold stories behind the songs everyone knows. Disasters that sound made up but absolutely happened. Carter sets the scene and Connor makes you fall in love with history. The wildest stuff is real, and the real stuff is wilder than you think. New episodes every Wednesday. What the Fact with Connor Tomlinson and Carter Roy is a Rewind Original, powered by PAVE Studios. Listen and Follow:https://pod.link/6811124906 See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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