MN90: Minnesota History in 90 Seconds

Overlooking the prospect park neighborhood in Minneapolis, is a unique witchy architectural landmark nicknamed “The witch hat tower”. Some even say it was rumored to be the inspiration for a Bob Dylan song. ----- Editor: Chris Harwood Producer: Autumn Haeg Editorial support: Emily Krumberger Mixing & mastering: Chris Harwood ----- For the latest episode drops and updates, follow us on social m...

1986 – National Geographic photographer from Minnesota, Jim Brandenburg wanted to see wolves returned to Yellowstone National Park. Farmers weren’t so sure. But what if Brandenburg could raise money to compensate farmers in the event wolves did attack their livestock? Here’s Britt Aamodt. ----- Producer: Britt Aamodt Editorial support: Emily Krumberger Mixing & mastering: Chris Harwood ----- F...

In 1941, the news from Europe was grim. The war was going badly for the good guys. That year, an insurance company employee decided to bring comedy to rural Minnesota with screenings of Charlie Chaplin films. ----- Producer: Britt Aamodt Editorial support: Emily Krumberger Mixing & mastering: Chris Harwood ----- For the latest episode drops and updates, follow us on social media.  instagram.co...

He was born John Wilfart in New Ulm, Minnesota. But legions of fans knew him as Whoopee John. Britt Aamodt resurrects the king of Midwest polka. —– Producer: Britt Aamodt Editorial support: Emily Krumberger Mixing & mastering: Chris Harwood —– For the latest episode drops and updates, follow us on social media.  instagram.com/ampersradio/ Facebook.com/MN90Ampers Never miss a beat. Sign up for...

The story of Alexander P. Anderson, the Minnesota scientist and how he came to study starches. ----- Producer: Autumn Haeg Editorial support: Emily Krumberger Mixing & mastering: Chris Harwood ----- For the latest episode drops and updates, follow us on social media.  instagram.com/ampersradio/ Facebook.com/MN90Ampers Never miss a beat. Sign up for our email list to receive news, updates and c...

1941 – Jane Russell, a 19-year-old with roots in Bemidji, felt like the luckiest girl alive to be plucked out of obscurity to star the new RKO picture The Outlaw.  If only she didn’t have to put up with director Howard Hughes and his annoying obsessions. Here’s Britt Aamodt. ----- Producer: Britt Aamodt Editorial support: Emily Krumberger Mixing & mastering: Chris Harwood ----- For the latest...

The invention of the satellite newsgathering truck by lifelong Minnesota broadcaster Stanley S. Hubbard was met with skepticism when he first demonstrated it in 1981. But as MN90 producer Marisa Helms reports, nowadays every T-V station that has a meaningful news operation has a satellite newsgathering truck. No matter where news is happening or when it’s happening, we can all watch it live thanks...

October 12, 1915 -  John C. Freund just wanted to give his music lecture in Duluth. But a colleague from New York was in town and badmouthing him in the local papers. Here’s Britt Aamodt. ----- Producer: Britt Aamodt Editorial support: Emily Krumberger Mixing & mastering: Chris Harwood ----- For the latest episode drops and updates, follow us on social media.  instagram.com/ampersradio/ Facebo...

She soared on the court and shook up the courtroom. Maya Moore didn’t just change the game, she changed lives. ----- Producer: Autumn Haeg Editorial support: Emily Krumberger Mixing & mastering: Chris Harwood ----- For the latest episode drops and updates, follow us on social media.  instagram.com/ampersradio/ Facebook.com/MN90Ampers Never miss a beat. Sign up for our email list to receive new...

Walter Mondale is one of Minnesota’s most well-known and well respected politicians to make his mark on the national scene. Many people remember his landslide loss to incumbent Ronald Reagan in the 1984 election, but few know how he transformed the office of the vice presidency when he worked alongside Jimmy Carter. Allison Herrera tells us all about Minnesota’s favorite son from Ceylon. ----- Pro...

George R. R. Martin believed in his literary agent when times were hard. Britt Aamodt reports how that agent, a Minnesotan, repaid that loyalty when Martin came to him with a new manuscript. ----- Producer: Britt Aamodt Editorial support: Emily Krumberger Mixing & mastering: Chris Harwood ----- For the latest episode drops and updates, follow us on social media.  instagram.com/ampersradio/ Fac...

In a matter of hours, a series of devastating fires changed the look of Northern Minnesota for decades. The Cloquet/Moose Lake fires of 1918 resulted in a loss life, millions of dollars in property damage and displacement of thousands of Minnesotans. Producer Allison Herrera tells us more about the spark that lit the flames. —– Producer: Allison Herrera Editorial support: Emily Krumberger Mixing &...

In 1958, Minnesota got a shock. Classic horror films were introduced to a new generation of TV viewers courtesy of Shock Theater and local creature feature hosts in Minneapolis and Duluth. Here’s Britt Aamodt. ----- Producer: Britt Aamodt Editorial support: Emily Krumberger Mixing & mastering: Chris Harwood ----- For the latest episode drops and updates, follow us on social media.  instagram.c...

Back in 1950, three-quarters of American households had party line telephones. That was even more true in rural Minnesota. Britt Aamodt looks at life with a party line. ----- Producer: Britt Aamodt Editorial support: Emily Krumberger Mixing & mastering: Chris Harwood ----- For the latest episode drops and updates, follow us on social media.  instagram.com/ampersradio/ Facebook.com/MN90Ampers N...

Happy Chef was a beacon for hungry travelers all over the Midwest. Today, one original still stands, flipping pancakes and memories in Mankato. ----- Producer: Autumn Haeg Editorial support: Emily Krumberger Mixing & mastering: Chris Harwood ----- For the latest episode drops and updates, follow us on social media.  instagram.com/ampersradio/ Facebook.com/MN90Ampers Never miss a beat. Sign up...

Washburn-Crosby had a great breakfast cereal, Wheaties, in stores. But customers weren’t scooping it up. So, the company created a singing ad, "Have You Tried Wheaties?" – the first radio jingle in history. ----- Producer: Britt Aamodt Editorial support: Emily Krumberger Mixing & mastering: Chris Harwood ----- For the latest episode drops and updates, follow us on social media.  instagram.com/...

At the very top of Minnesota, where forest meets water and maps get complicated, lies one of America’s strangest corners: the Northwest Angle. ----- Producer: Autumn Haeg Editorial support: Emily Krumberger Mixing & mastering: Chris Harwood ----- For the latest episode drops and updates, follow us on social media.  instagram.com/ampersradio/ Facebook.com/MN90Ampers Never miss a beat. Sign up f...

Why do the University of Minnesota’s Golden Gophers and the University of Michigan’s Wolverines football teams battle over a Little Brown Jug? Britt Aamodt goes back to 1903 to find the origins of this unusual rivalry trophy. ----- Producer: Britt Aamodt Editorial support: Emily Krumberger Mixing & mastering: Chris Harwood ----- For the latest episode drops and updates, follow us on social med...

August 1969 – Dave Arneson loved war games. That’s what drew him to the board game convention Gen Con, and to fellow gamer Gary Gygax. Five years later, the two would develop one of the biggest role playing games in America, Dungeons & Dragons. Here’s Britt Aamodt. ----- Producer: Britt Aamodt Editorial support: Emily Krumberger Mixing & mastering: Chris Harwood ----- For the latest episod...

December 1974 – Kevin Odegard grew up listening to Bob Dylan records on the basement record player. So it was incredible that the now 25-year-old guitarist should be playing on Dylan’s latest album, recording in a Minneapolis studio no less. Here’s Britt Aamodt. ----- Editor: Britt Aamodt Producer: Britt Aamodt Editorial support: Emily Krumberger Mixing & mastering: Chris Harwood ----- For the...

Walking, biking, running and yes...rollerblading are all things Minnesotans do when the weather gets warmer. Allison Herrera tells us how the famous in-line skates got their start. ----- Editor: Britt Aamodt Producer: Allison Herrera Editorial support: Emily Krumberger Mixing & mastering: Chris Harwood ----- For the latest episode drops and updates, follow us on social media.  instagram.com/am...

Taconite can be found all over Minnesota’s iron range, but at first it lacked in iron. Learn how it became viable. ----- Editor: Britt Aamodt Producer: Autumn Haeg Editorial support: Emily Krumberger Mixing & mastering: Chris Harwood ----- For the latest episode drops and updates, follow us on social media.  instagram.com/ampersradio/ Facebook.com/MN90Ampers Never miss a beat. Sign up for our...

In 1970, Bonnie Erickson, an artist from Anoka, had a head cold. But she also had this big interview—with Jim Henson. She went through with the interview, got the job and four years later developed her own Muppet: a diva pig named Miss Piggy. Here’s Britt Aamodt. ----- Producer: Britt Aamodt Editorial support: Emily Krumberger Mixing & mastering: Chris Harwood ----- For the latest episode drop...

In 1921, a 10-year-old wagon trained horse named "Whiskey" was introduced to Fort Snelling. He was a wild and restless horse, often overlooked because of his rebellious personality. But that didn’t stop him from going down in Fort Snelling history.  ----- Editor: Britt Aamodt Producer: Autumn Haeg Editorial support: Emily Krumberger Mixing & mastering: Chris Harwood ----- For the latest episod...

When Oliver Kelley began farming in Minnesota during the mid-1850s, he was frustrated by the low status of farmers and the isolation of rural life. So along with six others, he started an organization called The Grange, which as MN90 Producer Andi McDaniel discovers, changed agrarian life in America by bringing farmers together to socialize and advocate for themselves.  ----- Editor: Britt Aamodt...