Send us a Text Message.Every time you throw in some bluetooth ear buds and go for a walk, did you know that you are following in the footsteps of the OG of personal soundtracks? The Sony Walkman was introduced in 1979 and was originally designed out of a desire that the head of Sony had at the time to listen to music on his walks! This innovation eventually lead to the Walkman with a radio built in, the disc-man, the MP3 player, the iPod and even the Microsoft Zoon! If you ever owned a Sony Walkman, you'll definitely want to check out this trip down technology memory lane - and spoiler alert - this one leads to a dead end!Support the Show.Dirt Nap City is the show about interesting dead people.Subscribe and listen to learn about people you've heard of, but don't know much about.Someday we'll all live in Dirt Nap City, so you should probably go ahead and meet the neighbors!

Send us a Text Message.Stede Bonnet was born into a wealthy English family on the island of Barbados in 1688. He had money, land and eventually a wife and children. But in 1717, at the age of 29, he turned to a life of crime on high seas to become a pirate of the Caribbean. And because of his status before turning to piracy, he became known as "the gentleman pirate".  But being a gentleman and being a pirate were two completely different ways of life, and the contradiction lead to many challenges for Captain Bonnet. From mutiny, to betrayal, to capture by the authorities, Stede found the excitement that he was looking for...and eventually lived to regret it. Join us as we explore the very strange life of a very unusual character that lived a double life during the golden age of piracy. Learn of his misadventures, his friendship with the famed pirate Blackbeard, and his legacy after he died. Support the Show.Dirt Nap City is the show about interesting dead people.Subscribe and listen to learn about people you've heard of, but don't know much about.Someday we'll all live in Dirt Nap City, so you should probably go ahead and meet the neighbors!

Send us a Text Message.If you grew up somewhere in the southern US, you probably remember riding in the back of a pickup truck when you were a kid. Riding to little league practice, riding to the Dairy Queen - these were some of the memories many of us have from childhood. But was riding in the back of a pickup truck really a good idea? While we don't want to say what people should or should not do, riding in the back of a pickup truck has become less acceptable to many people. Check out our memories of riding in the back of pickup trucks and why not as many people do it today.Dirt Nap City Dead Ends are short stories about the traditions, sayings, technologies, and businesses that used to be popular but now reside in Dirt Nap City.  If you have an idea for a Dirt Nap City Dead End story, drop us a line at our email address: not@dirtnapcity.comIf you like the content we are creating and would like to support it financially, check our Patreon page here: https://www.patreon.com/DirtNapCityPodcastOr, if you prefer to support us in another way, recommend an episode to one of your friends. We appreciate everyone who listens every month and look forward to making this podcast even better with your support.Support the Show.Dirt Nap City is the show about interesting dead people.Subscribe and listen to learn about people you've heard of, but don't know much about.Someday we'll all live in Dirt Nap City, so you should probably go ahead and meet the neighbors!

Send us a Text Message.Amelia Mary Earhart was an American aviation pioneer and writer. Because she was born in 1897, she grew up at the dawn of aviation and she was bit by the aviation bug at an early age. After convincing her parents to finance flying lessons, Earhart was the first female aviator to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean. She set many other records, was one of the first aviators to promote commercial air travel, wrote best-selling books about her flying experiences, and was instrumental in the formation of The Ninety-Nines, an organization for female pilots.Amelia Earhart is a true American hero and icon and deserves a special place in Dirt Nap City!Support the Show.Dirt Nap City is the show about interesting dead people.Subscribe and listen to learn about people you've heard of, but don't know much about.Someday we'll all live in Dirt Nap City, so you should probably go ahead and meet the neighbors!

Send us a Text Message.Do you remember going to recess at school, running around, getting hot and thirsty, and then lining up to get a drink at your school's water fountain? If not, then you missed out on something really special. Water fountains were common and used frequently not too long ago. But did you know that they originated as the primary source of clean water for most people in big cities a few hundred years ago? Or did you know that they are often associated with the temperance movement? In this episode, Kelly and Alex take a nostalgic look back at what some called drinking fountains, some called water fountains and some even called bubblers. We hope you're thirsty!Dirt Nap City Dead Ends are short stories about the traditions, sayings, technologies, and businesses that used to be popular but now reside in Dirt Nap City.  If you have an idea for a Dirt Nap City Dead End story, drop us a line at our email address: not@dirtnapcity.comIf you like the content we are creating and would like to support it financially, check our Patreon page here: https://www.patreon.com/DirtNapCityPodcastOr, if you prefer to support us in another way, recommend an episode to one of your friends. We appreciate everyone who listens every month and look forward to making this podcast even better with your support.Support the Show.Dirt Nap City is the show about interesting dead people.Subscribe and listen to learn about people you've heard of, but don't know much about.Someday we'll all live in Dirt Nap City, so you should probably go ahead and meet the neighbors!

Send us a Text Message.Reformer or dictator? Napoleon Bonaparte was one of the greatest military strategists of all time and served as not only the leader of France, but the Emperor of the French Empire. During the late 1700's and early 1800's, France was a formidable military power and ruled a very large part of the European continent and beyond - mostly because of Napoleon. But why did he divorce the wife that he claimed to love until  his death? Why did he constantly provoke other countries into military conflict? Why did he hide his hand in his coat? During this episode, Kelly and Alex discuss the life and legacy of this legendary leader, Napoleon Bonaparte. Support the Show.Dirt Nap City is the show about interesting dead people.Subscribe and listen to learn about people you've heard of, but don't know much about.Someday we'll all live in Dirt Nap City, so you should probably go ahead and meet the neighbors!

Send us a Text Message.Everyone loves shoes that fit just right. But did you know that not too long ago, people loved them enough to risk their health for perfectly fitting shoes? In this episode, we take a look at the X-Ray Shoe Fitter, also known as the Foot-O-Scope was a popular device used at shoe stores in the 1930's, 1940's and even 1950's to show people a real time view of their foot in a shoe. And while the process was entertaining and gave a good look at how well the shoe fit, it also exposed the wearer, the salesperson, and anyone else around to radiation. So while this may have been a big leap forward in shoe technology at the time, it was a big leap backwards in longevity!Dirt Nap City Dead Ends are short stories about the traditions, sayings, technologies, and businesses that used to be popular but now reside in Dirt Nap City.  If you have an idea for a Dirt Nap City Dead End story, drop us a line at our email address: not@dirtnapcity.comIf you like the content we are creating and would like to support it financially, check our Patreon page here: https://www.patreon.com/DirtNapCityPodcastOr, if you prefer to support us in another way, recommend an episode to one of your friends. We appreciate everyone who listens every month and look forward to making this podcast even better with your support.Support the Show.Dirt Nap City is the show about interesting dead people.Subscribe and listen to learn about people you've heard of, but don't know much about.Someday we'll all live in Dirt Nap City, so you should probably go ahead and meet the neighbors!

Send us a Text Message.In today's world, Tesla is often associated with Elon Musk's electric car company. But the original Tesla was a brilliant man born in 1856 in Croatia. Nikola Tesla lived at the dawn of electricity and sometimes butted heads with other great minds of his time like Thomas Edison and George Westinghouse. But did you know that this brilliant scientist had a strange obsession with a pigeon in New York City? Or that he was obsessed with numbers that were a multiple of 3? In this episode, Alex and Kelly explore the world, ideas and mind of a truly strange genius, Nikola Tesla.Support the Show.Dirt Nap City is the show about interesting dead people.Subscribe and listen to learn about people you've heard of, but don't know much about.Someday we'll all live in Dirt Nap City, so you should probably go ahead and meet the neighbors!

Send us a Text Message.If you are over 40 years old, you probably remember going to the "All You Can Eat Buffet" with your family or friends. It was an amazing display of food and it was all for one low price! But this style of low cost gluttony has fallen out of favor in recent years - both because the food was generally not healthy and the business model was unattainable for many restaurants. In this episode, Alex takes us through some of his favorite "All You Care To Eat" places from his days as a poor college student. When he and his friends would hit the Wendy's Super Bar to fill up for less than a dollar each!If you have ever eaten at a buffet, you'll want to hear some of the secrets that these establishments use to get you to eat less. And if you have never had the pleasure of gorging yourself at a buffet, you should listen to find out what you have been missing.Dirt Nap City Dead Ends are short stories about the traditions, sayings, technologies, and businesses that used to be popular but now reside in Dirt Nap City.  If you have an idea for a Dirt Nap City Dead End story, drop us a line at our email address: not@dirtnapcity.comIf you like the content we are creating and would like to support it financially, check our Patreon page here: https://www.patreon.com/DirtNapCityPodcastOr, if you prefer to support us in another way, recommend an episode to one of your friends. We appreciate everyone who listens every month and look forward to making this podcast even better with your support.Support the Show.Dirt Nap City is the show about interesting dead people.Subscribe and listen to learn about people you've heard of, but don't know much about.Someday we'll all live in Dirt Nap City, so you should probably go ahead and meet the neighbors!

Send us a Text Message.Beyond the shamrock lies a story of adventure, faith, and cultural transformation. Join us as we peel back the layers on St. Patrick, the man behind the legend. Was he a snake-banishing miracle worker or a shrewd political operator? How did he come to represent the country in which he was enslaved as a young man? Whether you are here for the history lesson, the funny stories about Alex in Ireland, or the green beer, you've come to the right place. Check out this episode of Dirt Nap City to learn all you can about the enigmatic Saint Patrick, the country he represents, and his annual day of celebration!Support the Show.Dirt Nap City is the show about interesting dead people.Subscribe and listen to learn about people you've heard of, but don't know much about.Someday we'll all live in Dirt Nap City, so you should probably go ahead and meet the neighbors!

Send us a Text Message.There's nothing more 1970's than the mustache, the Camaro, and the waterbed. If you grew up in the 1970's or 1980's, you probably knew someone with at least on those things. In this episode, we take a look at the origin of the waterbed, it's rise in popularity, and what eventually killed it. Yes, you can still get a waterbed today - but if you really want to GET waterbeds, then you need to listen to this Dirt Nap City Dead End!Dirt Nap City Dead Ends are short stories about the traditions, sayings, technologies, and businesses that used to be popular but now reside in Dirt Nap City.  If you have an idea for a Dirt Nap City Dead End story, drop us a line at our email address: not@dirtnapcity.comIf you like the content we are creating and would like to support it financially, check our Patreon page here: https://www.patreon.com/DirtNapCityPodcastOr, if you prefer to support us in another way, recommend an episode to one of your friends. We appreciate everyone who listens every month and look forward to making this podcast even better with your support.Support the Show.Dirt Nap City is the show about interesting dead people.Subscribe and listen to learn about people you've heard of, but don't know much about.Someday we'll all live in Dirt Nap City, so you should probably go ahead and meet the neighbors!

Send us a Text Message.One of the greatest industrialists of the 20th century, Howard Hughes was a man who built his own fame and fortune on the shoulders of his father's company. Yet while his father had been in the oil drilling business, Howard Hughes Jr had ambitions in much sexier industries - Hollywood movies, aviation, real estate, mining, casinos, and even a Houston based brewery called "Gulf Brewing Company" to capitalize on the end of prohibition. But despite his fame, Howard Hughes was not the business genius that many thought he was. His projects often lost money, missed deadlines or just never happened. He also struggled with mental and physical ailments that drove him to a life of secrecy and seclusion later in life. He was a truly fascinating character and we go deep into his life and legacy in this episode.If you like the content we are creating and would like to support it financially, check our Patreon page here: https://www.patreon.com/DirtNapCityPodcastOr, if you prefer to support us in another way, recommend an episode to one of your friends. We appreciate everyone who listens every month and look forward to making this podcast even better with your support.Support the Show.Dirt Nap City is the show about interesting dead people.Subscribe and listen to learn about people you've heard of, but don't know much about.Someday we'll all live in Dirt Nap City, so you should probably go ahead and meet the neighbors!

Send us a Text Message.Just to be clear - we are not saying that litter is completely a thing of the past, because unfortunately, it still exists today. However, we do believe that awareness about NOT littering has gone way up with the help of some clever campaigns that really began in the 1970's and 1980's. This episode of Dirt Nap City Dead Ends looks at the way people used to look at littering and the way we think about it today.So don't be a litter bug and check out this entertaining episode!Dirt Nap City Dead Ends are short stories about the traditions, sayings, technologies, and businesses that used to be popular but now reside in Dirt Nap City.  If you have an idea for a Dirt Nap City Dead End story, drop us a line at our email address: not@dirtnapcity.comIf you like the content we are creating and would like to support it financially, check our Patreon page here: https://www.patreon.com/DirtNapCityPodcastOr, if you prefer to support us in another way, recommend an episode to one of your friends. We appreciate everyone who listens every month and look forward to making this podcast even better with your support.Support the Show.Dirt Nap City is the show about interesting dead people.Subscribe and listen to learn about people you've heard of, but don't know much about.Someday we'll all live in Dirt Nap City, so you should probably go ahead and meet the neighbors!

Send us a Text Message.When it comes to the kings of movie reviews, no one comes close to Siskel and Ebert. The duo brought movie reviews to the masses with their syndicated television shows and "thumbs up" or "thumbs down" rating system. But despite their success and popularity, they were not really great friends - in fact, they often berated one another during their reviews of films on which they disagreed. But many people found their sniping and heckling one another to be the charm and entertaining part of the show. If you like the content we are creating and would like to support it financially, check our Patreon page here: https://www.patreon.com/DirtNapCityPodcastOr, if you prefer to support us in another way, recommend an episode to one of your friends. We appreciate everyone who listens every month and look forward to making this podcast even better with your support.Support the Show.Dirt Nap City is the show about interesting dead people.Subscribe and listen to learn about people you've heard of, but don't know much about.Someday we'll all live in Dirt Nap City, so you should probably go ahead and meet the neighbors!

Send us a Text Message.If you are over the age of 20, you probably remember when CD-ROMs were how you stored all the data you ever needed from your computer. They were somewhat durable, relatively small, and held a decent amount of data for the time. And they were everywhere - you even got them free in the mail from some companies! If you ever listened to music on a compact disc or loaded a program onto your computer from a CD-ROM, them you should definitely check out this edition of "Dirt Nap City Dead Ends"!Dirt Nap City Dead Ends are short stories about the traditions, sayings, technologies, and businesses that used to be popular but now reside in Dirt Nap City.  If you have an idea for a Dirt Nap City Dead End story, drop us a line at our email address: not@dirtnapcity.comIf you like the content we are creating and would like to support it financially, check our Patreon page here: https://www.patreon.com/DirtNapCityPodcastOr, if you prefer to support us in another way, recommend an episode to one of your friends. We appreciate everyone who listens every month and look forward to making this podcast even better with your support.Support the Show.Dirt Nap City is the show about interesting dead people.Subscribe and listen to learn about people you've heard of, but don't know much about.Someday we'll all live in Dirt Nap City, so you should probably go ahead and meet the neighbors!

Send us a Text Message.Bob Marley is considered one of the greatest musical pioneers ever. He uniquely blended  elements of reggae, ska, and rocksteady, and had a very distinct vocal and songwriting style. His father was an officer in the British Royal Navy and his mother was from a farm on Jamaica. He was raised in the Trench Town area of Jamaica and grew up around other people like Peter Tosh and Bunny Wailer, who shared his love for music. While born Catholic, he eventually converted to Rastafarian and became a voice of peace and love through his music. While he died at an early age, his music lives on and he is still remembered as one of the greats.If you like the content we are creating and would like to support it financially, check our Patreon page here: https://www.patreon.com/DirtNapCityPodcastOr, if you prefer to support us in another way, recommend an episode to one of your friends. We appreciate everyone who listens every month and look forward to making this podcast even better with your support.Support the Show.Dirt Nap City is the show about interesting dead people.Subscribe and listen to learn about people you've heard of, but don't know much about.Someday we'll all live in Dirt Nap City, so you should probably go ahead and meet the neighbors!

Send us a Text Message.Did you ever drop your film off to be developed at a Fotomat? In this episode of Dirt Nap City Dead Ends, Alex and Kelly take a nostalgic look at those tiny kiosks that populated over 4,000 parking lots in their heyday. When film was king, Fotomat was the titan of developing it. And if you keep your eyes out today, you might still see a Fotomat kiosk that has been converted into a drive through coffee shop!Dirt Nap City Dead Ends are short stories about the traditions, sayings, technologies, and businesses that used to be popular but now reside in Dirt Nap City.  If you have an idea for a Dirt Nap City Dead End story, drop us a line at our email address: not@dirtnapcity.comIf you like the content we are creating and would like to support it financially, check our Patreon page here: https://www.patreon.com/DirtNapCityPodcastOr, if you prefer to support us in another way, recommend an episode to one of your friends. We appreciate everyone who listens every month and look forward to making this podcast even better with your support.Support the Show.Dirt Nap City is the show about interesting dead people.Subscribe and listen to learn about people you've heard of, but don't know much about.Someday we'll all live in Dirt Nap City, so you should probably go ahead and meet the neighbors!

Send us a Text Message.Despite the name, Hanna Barbera was not the name of a character on a 1990's Disney show, nor was it a female wrestler from the 1920's - in fact Hanna-Barbera is the name of the company founded by two cartoonists, Bill Hanna and Joe Barbera, who made many of the cartoons that Americans grew up on in the 1960's, 70's and 80's. Scooby Doo? Yes. The Flinstones? Check. The Jetsons? Of course. Even the Smurfs! And there were many, many other cartoons that are still popular with children and adults today. But who were these two men behind some of the biggest cartoons on television? William Denby Hanna was an American animator, voice actor, and occasional musician. Joseph Roland Barbera was an Italian American, amateur boxer and talented artist. Together, they are best known for co-creating Tom and Jerry among many other cartoons that became staples of Saturday mornings for many children.Support the Show.Dirt Nap City is the show about interesting dead people.Subscribe and listen to learn about people you've heard of, but don't know much about.Someday we'll all live in Dirt Nap City, so you should probably go ahead and meet the neighbors!

Send us a Text Message.We recently had the opportunity to collaborate with Katie and Deborah from the podcast "It's My Screen Time Too" about the movie WONKA. Find out  if Alex & Kelly enjoyed the movie and if it's worth going to see with your family  by listening to this promo and then then listening to the episode of "It's My Screen Time Too" on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.Link to listen on Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/episode/4F0L00IZxHkwFO0BqoE3x7?si=GtBvNiPfQj2b_GFFDSTYyQLink to listen on Apple Podcasts:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/wonka/id1223829787?i=1000639205770Thanks to Deborah and Katie for having us on their show!Support the Show.Dirt Nap City is the show about interesting dead people.Subscribe and listen to learn about people you've heard of, but don't know much about.Someday we'll all live in Dirt Nap City, so you should probably go ahead and meet the neighbors!

Send us a Text Message.Season's Greetings from Dirt Nap City. If you are looking for the perfect gift to give your loved ones this year, we have you covered. For a limited time we are not only offering Dirt Nap City stickers, but we are also offering to come to your event (wedding, bar mitzvah, birthday party, funeral, etc.) and record our podcast live in front of your audience. Of course this will require some planning, at least two chairs and payment up front. But if you think Dirt Nap City might be the kind of entertainment that your funeral guests will enjoy, then please drop us an email and we'll write you up a quote. And for a limited time, everyone that emails will get a Dirt Nap City sticker. It's just our way of saying "ho ho ho" from the ghosts of Christmas past.All kidding aside, thanks to everyone for a great 2023 and we look forward to more podcast fun with you in 2024!If you like the content we are creating and would like to support it financially, check our Patreon page here: https://www.patreon.com/DirtNapCityPodcastOr, if you prefer to support us in another way, recommend an episode to one of your friends. We appreciate everyone who listens every month and look forward to making this podcast even better with your support.Support the Show.Dirt Nap City is the show about interesting dead people.Subscribe and listen to learn about people you've heard of, but don't know much about.Someday we'll all live in Dirt Nap City, so you should probably go ahead and meet the neighbors!