Disaster Hour

In this one, Ian and Liv talk about a bridge that collapsed in Dixon, Illinois, in 1873. Filled with people at the time of its demise, the Dixon Bridge collapse was responsible for the death and injuries of many citizens of Dixon. The bridge was later determined to be incredibly unsafe even before it was built, so what happened in history that allowed for the construction of the Dixon Bridge? Also...

War. Polio. Heat waves. What could make this worse? Sharks. In this one, Ian and Liv talk about a series of shark attacks that occurred on the beaches of New Jersey during the summer of 1916. How many sharks were involved? How would everyone react to the first string of shark attacks that was publicized by the media? Who tried blaming a turtle? Also, Ian learns an important lesson in fact-checking...

In this one, Ian, Liv, and special guest star Joe (Liv's dad and Ian's favorite uncle) joins them in talking about this one of the worst maritime disasters in history. In the summer of 1945, with the end of World War II just around the corner, a United States Naval ship is attacked and sank in Pacific waters. However, rescue is delayed, leaving the survivors stranded at sea for days. But w...

Pro tip: if you find a glowing substance in a lead canister, don't distribute the substance to your friends and family. In this one, Ian and Liv talk about a radiation exposure in Brazil, in 1987. So many questions, and so many chances to avoid this accident. Spoiler alert: it's not food poisoning. Also, Liv doesn't go to the doctor. Ian learns about former presidents. Otto farts.

What's one of the most important aspects of flying an airplane? Not flying your plane into another plane. In this one, Ian and Liv talk about the Tenerife Airport Disaster in 1977, where two passenger planes, Pan Am 1736 and KLM 4805 collide with each other, resulting in one of the deadliest aviation accidents in history. What's the twist? These two airplanes are still on the runway when t...

Nature is always coming up with clever ways to rid the Earth of humans. In this one, Ian and Liv talk about a lethal cloud of carbon dioxide that is released from a lake in Africa, which smothers and kills almost everyone within miles. Lake Nyos is the culprit, but even more shocking, this isn't the only time this has happened. Also, Ian didn't cut a burp during the editing process. Liv ge...

It's a Special Holiday Episode! For episode ten, Ian and Liv celebrate the Fourth of July by talking about a NINE different fireworks disasters! Each of these stories involve fireworks, most involve alcohol, and all of these disasters are served to you with a nice heaping scoop of natural selection on top! SPOILER ALERT: igniting fireworks and other explosives on top of your head while likely...

Disaster strikes in Cleveland again! In this one, Ian and Liv talk about a marketing event by the Cleveland Indians in 1974, where beers were sold for 10 cents a piece at a Tuesday night Indians game. Much to nobody's surprise, the fans were wildly over-served, formed an angry mob, and rioted throughout the stadium by the end of the game. The 70's were quite the time. Also, Ian had to remo...

In this one, Ian tells Liv about a wildfire that began in a park in California. However, this wildfire was started inadvertently by a couple who set off a smoke bomb during a gender reveal party, and it continued burning for months. Also, Liv offers more reasonable suggestions for gender reveals. Ian learns about family bloggers.

In this one, Ian tells Liv about a swarm of locusts that appeared in the Great Plains in 1874, but continued to devastate the new frontier for years later. Nothing was safe from the maniacal, flying insects--crop fields, linens, even the clothes on the farmers' backs were a target for the locusts. But why did they suddenly disappear without warning? Also, Liv has strong feelings about cottage...

In this one, Ian tells Liv about an outbreak of over 300 tornadoes that ravaged the southeast US, in just four days. Many storm records were set not only during this disaster, but throughout all of April 2011 and the rest of the year's storm season. Also, Liv shares a bit Lowe's history, and Ian is utterly shocked. Sources used: Center, S. P. (2001, January 1). Storm prediction center stor...

In this episode, Ian tells Liv about a volcano that erupted in 1815, Mt. Tambora, in Indonesia. However, the devastation this volcano causes to the entire planet is unlike anything we've seen in over 200 years, and the world reacts accordingly. Also, Liv fantasizes about Woody Harrelson. Ian expresses fears about Walmart. Sources used: A&E Television Networks. (2009, November 13). Indonesi...

Liv tells Ian about the time United Way of Cleveland held a fundraising event that released over a million balloons. Sadly, the fundraiser was a failure, resulting in the death of two men and an unprecedented amount of public destruction. Ian has questions about Drew Carey. Liv wants ice cream. Sources used: 1. Balloonfest: Encyclopedia of cleveland history: Case western reserve university. Encycl...

In this one, Ian tells Liv about the time that two trains crashed head-on in 1896. But just because it was a crash doesn't mean it was an accident. Liv and Ian both know trains still exist today. Sources used: Deeringer, M. (2011, August). The deadly crash at crush. Texas Co-op Power. Retrieved May 3, 2023, from https://texascooppower.com/the-deadly-crash-at-crush/ Franz, J. (2019, July 1). Fo...

The year? 1919. The place? Boston. The disaster? A bit sticky. How did a giant tank of molasses claim the lives of innocent bystanders? How did prohibition play a role in this disaster? How did people survive for 15 years during prohibition? At least two of those questions will be answered in this episode. Also, we learn that Ian is uncultured swine. Sources used: 1. Tikkanen, A. (n.d.). Great Mol...

In 1844, a passenger steamboat explodes on the Ohio River while traveling from Louisville to New Orleans. But why did this happen, and is anyone to blame? Avoid horses. References: Beam, A. (2013, May 15). New Albany bicentennial: Lucy Walker steamboat disaster. News and Tribune. Retrieved March 30, 2023, from https://www.newsandtribune.com/news/floyd_county/new-albany-bicentennial-lucy-walker-ste...