Byte Sized Biographies…

  Butch Cassidy's boyhood home, Circleville, Utah Butch Cassidy, Wyoming prison mugshot Telluride location of first Cassidy holdup, bank building was actually the white building to the right Montpelier, Idaho, site of Cassidy holdup Sundance and Etta, shortly before they left for Argentina In 1969, the 20th Century Fox film, “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid,” established these two outlaws as po...

  Butch and Sundance's Argentine cabin today. Posse containing Joe Lefors The house used in the film "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid," in which Katherine Ross lives and Paul Newman rides a bicycle during the song "Raindrops Keep Falling ON My Head." Entrance to the Hole In the Wall near Kaycee, Wyoming Location near Durango, Colorado where Newman and Redford jump into the river to escape the L...

  Norsk Hydro Plant, Vemork Leif Trondstadt Heavy water produced at Telemark British glider on tow rope Reichskomisar Joseph Terboven General Nicholas Van Falkenhirst SS Officer Frederich Fehlis Shortly after the conquest of Norway by Nazi Germany, Allied intelligence determined that an electrical plant at Rjukan, Norway was providing a crucial element in a potential German atomic bomb. As a resul...

  Leif Transtad with King Haakon VII, 1944 Lake Tinnsjo, sight of the SF Hydro sinking The ferry SF Hydro King Haakon VII congratulating Telemark commandos. Shortly after the conquest of Norway by Nazi Germany, Allied intelligence determined that an electrical plant at Rjukan, Norway was providing a crucial element in a potential German atomic bomb. As a result, Norwegian commandos embarked on one...

Discover the fascinating life of Isabella Stewart Gardner, a trailblazing art collector and socialite who left an indelible mark on Boston's cultural landscape. This episode delves into Gardner's journey from New York socialite to renowned art patron, her creation of the iconic Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, and the shocking 1990 heist that rocked the art world. Learn how Gardner's unconventiona...

Discover the fascinating life of Isabella Stewart Gardner, a trailblazing art collector and socialite who left an indelible mark on Boston's cultural landscape. This episode delves into Gardner's journey from New York socialite to renowned art patron, her creation of the iconic Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, and the shocking 1990 heist that rocked the art world. Learn how Gardner's unconventiona...

IN 1911, an American explorer, Hiram Bingham, re-discovered the Incan ruins at Machu Picchu, helping to popularize this site, which today is one of the seven modern wonders of the world. Hiram Bingham, at Harvard, with wife Alfreda Church built on the former site of the Coricancha, Cuzco, Peru Francisco Pizarro Capture of Atahualpa by Pizarro at Cajamarca Execution of Atahualpa by Pizarro, Cajamar...

IN 1911, an American explorer, Hiram Bingham, re-discovered the Incan ruins at Machu Picchu, helping to popularize this site, which today is one of the seven modern wonders of the world. Hiram Bingham, 1912 Machu Pichu, Hayna Picchu in the background Machu Picchu, photographed by Hiram Bingham Hiram Bingham, Air Corps during WWI Bingham, US Senator Bingham with other members of President's Coolidg...

The triumph, tragedy and bizarre secrets of one of the 20th century’s most prominent figures. Charles with his father. Lindbergh as Air Cadet Anne Morrow, as a young girl Lindbergh, with The Spirit of St. Louis The Spirit of St. Louis at the Smithsonian Lindbergh and his plane, mobbed at Croyden, England, 1927 Anne Morrow Lindbergh The former Lindbergh Estate in Hopewell, New Jersey, now a state f...

The triumph, tragedy and bizarre secrets of one of the 20th century's most prominent figures. Bruno Richard Hauptmann John Condon on the witness stand Lindbergh on the witness stand. Gasoline can which contained ransom cash, found in Hauptmann's garage Norman Schwarzkopf, Sr., New Jersey State Police, father of subsequent Desert Storm commander. Lindbergh in the Pacific, 1944 Charles and Anne Lind...

In 1963, two British criminals masterminded the robbery of 2.6 million pounds in cash from a Royal Mail Train, an amount worth 45 million pounds today. The robbery and its aftermath caused a nationwide sensation. Bruce Reynolds Gordon Goody Recent photo, Sears Crossing Bridge #127, Bridego Bridge Ronnie Biggs, mug shot Ronnie Biggs, Bruce Reynolds and their sons

In 1963, two British criminals masterminded the robbery of 2.6 million pounds in cash from a Royal Mail Train, an amount worth 45 million pounds today. The robbery and its aftermath caused a nationwide sensation. Detective Tommy Butler Leatherslade Farm Judge Edmund Davies, entering court Plaque at Crewe railroad station commemorating Jack Mills and David Whitby Charmain Biggs, in later years Gord...

Acclaimed in his lifetime for his remarkable literary career, Charles Dickens’ private life was wracked by dysfunction, scandal and the cruelty he inflicted on his wife and his children. Charles Dickens, as a younger man Catherine Dickens, 1838 Ebeneezer Scrooge and Marley's ghost, A Christmas Carol Grip, the Raven. Barnaby Rudge Freddy Bartholomew, in the original MGM version of David Copperfirld...

Acclaimed in his lifetime for his remarkable literary career, Charles Dickens' private life was wracked by dysfunction, scandal and the cruelty he inflicted on his wife and his children. Portrait of Dickens, 1850 Catherine Hogarth Dickens, 1852 Gerorgina Hogarth and Dickens daughter, Mamie Charles Dickens, in hat, with family Grave of Charles Dickens, Westminster Abbey Catherine Dickens and daught...

The remarkable story of the courage and suffering of the passengers aboard the Mayflower and the establishment of the Plymouth Colony. Postcard of the Mayflower On November 11, 1620, a 100 foot long cargo ship called the Mayflower entered what is today known as Provincetown Harbor, virtually on the tip of present day Cape Cod.  This was the culmination of over two months at sea for 102 immigrants,...

The remarkable story of the courage and suffering of the passengers aboard the Mayflower and the establishment of the Plymouth Colony. Artist's rendition of Samoset entering Plymouth Colony On March 16, the inevitable occurred, although the incident did not unfold as the settlers previously feared.  As described in a pamphlet entitled, “Mourt’s Relation,” a description of the first year of Plymout...

Long before Claus Von Bulow or OJ Simpson, in 1924, two Chicago teenagers committed what was called at the time, “The Crime of the Century,” only to be spared by the efforts of the greatest defense attorney in American history. Nathan Leopold During their scouring of the Wolf Lake area, police detectives questioned the game warden of the forest preserve that was located nearby about any recurring...

Long before Claus Von Bulow or OJ Simpson, in 1924, two Chicago teenagers committed what was called at the time, "The Crime of the Century," only to be spared by the efforts of the greatest defense attorney in American history. Chicago Criminals Court Buildings Clarence Darrow would not begin his summation until the afternoon of August 23rd, so anticipated throughout the city of Chicago that a mob...

The dark reality behind the persona of one of America's most beloved public figures. Johnny Carson, in the Navy. Carson and his idol, Jack Benny Carson, hosting "Who Do You Trust?" Carson, with his three sons, 1955 Carson, publicity photo, 1957 Carson with Ed McMahon, shortly after their Tonight Show stint began Carson, early years of the Tonight Show

The dark reality behind the persona of one of America's most beloved public figures. Johnny's second wife Joanne, in 1960 On August 17, 1963, Carson, possibly feeling more secure professionally with more than a year under his belt at the new show, married his longtime girlfriend, Joanne Carson.  This despite years of fighting publicly, acrimonious vacations in which one of them left and went home...

The shocking story behind the biggest swindle in the history of Wall Street. Madoff, leaving Federal court during his prosecutionAgent Cacioppi was so taken aback by Madoff’s candor and unusual cooperation he called his office to determine what he should do next.  Typically, a subject with Bernie’s sophistication and community stature would refuse to answer questions and stall, at least requesting...

The shocking story behind the biggest swindle in the history of Wall Street. Harry Markopolis, testifying before Congress But, if many of Madoff’s clients were happy to not question  his returns and process, the cynical, highly competitive and data driven world of Wall Street always invited scrutiny of its biggest stars, even if this was the result of envy or alienation.  In Harry Markopolos, one...

Long before Harry and Meghan, a much more serious crisis and scandal enveloped the British monarchy and the House of Windsor, the abdication of Edward VIII King George V and his family, The Prince of Wales, far left The future Edward VIII, known within his immediate family by the nickname of David, was born on June 23, 1894.  His father, George V, did not become the king until 1910, then anointing...

Long before Harry and Meghan, a much more serious crisis and scandal enveloped the British monarchy and the House of Windsor, the abdication of Edward VIII The Prince of Wales and Wallis Simpson, 1935 By mid-1934, even British high society insiders were aghast at what, “the little man,” as David was scornfully known as behind his back, had actually taken up with.  When the Royal family deliberatel...

In July of 1954, an obscure milk shake mixer salesman walked into a fast food restaurant in San Bernardino, CA. The restaurant was operated by two brothers named McDonald, the result of this interaction profoundly changed American culture, business and nutrition forever. Ray Kroc, in the twenties Ray Kroc first interacted with Prince Castle as the Chicago based account manager for Lily-Tulip and s...