Dan R Morris

Tracing The Path: The Connected 20th Century

History EN ↓ 75 episodes

Tracing The Path is a 20th Century history podcast dedicated to exploring the connections between the defining stories of the twentieth century. Each episode follows surprising connections across time—linking world wars, political movements, cultural revolutions, iconic companies, unforgettable products and groundbreaking inventions. We uncover the forgotten figures behind history’s turning points, reveal how technology and popular culture reshaped society, and highlight the stories that textbooks overlook. Whether you’re passionate about modern history, fascinated by world events, or looking...

Author

Dan R Morris

Category

History

Podcast website

tracingthepath.com

Latest episode

Jun 30, 2026

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Episodes

Episode 31: Did Russia Start the Peace Movement? 22.04.2022

Was Russia the first to make Peace a political campaign? How did the Peace sign come to be? In today's episode learn the stance Russia has had on peace. Meet Marie Curie, Pablo Picasso, the Lighthouse of Alexandria, the situation with Ukraine's Crimean Coast, the Manhattan Project and hear the words of Russian Premiere Yuri Andropov himself and 11 year old Samantha Smith. Become a supporter of thi...

Episode 30: The Wright Brothers, The Suffragists and the U.S. President 18.03.2022

There was a time when a plan was hatched to bomb Woodrow Wilson, but not the way you'd ever think. Today's story involves L. Frank Baum, Edith Wilson, the Statue of Liberty, Wilbur Wright, Oberlin College, Ruth Law, Matilda Jocelyn Gage, the State of Tennessee, and William Boeing. Sit back and enjoy as we celebrate the 19th Amendment.  Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/p...

Episode 29: 187 Years Behind Martin Luther King's Dream 20.02.2022

Where did the words in the "I have a dream" speech come from? W.E.B. Dubois, Abraham Lincoln, A. Philip Randolph, Langston Hughes, Mahalia Jackson, Thomas Dorsey, Harry Belafonte, Prathia Hall Wynn, John D. Rockefeller, and so many others have been fighting for the Dream since 1776. When Martin Luther King gave his speech in Washington, he made sure their voices were heard.  Become a supporter of...

Episode 28: Will Winnie the Pooh Ever Find Freedom? 21.01.2022

How did Winnie The Pooh change United States Copyright law? Since the beginning they changed considerably - and maybe rightly so. This is the story of how Disney built its empire using the public domain as a tool. Disney, A.A. Milne, Mickey Mouse, Jimmy Stewart, and the U.S. Congress. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tracing-the-path-the-connected-20th-century--...

Episode 27: The History and Impact of McCann Erickson 20.12.2021

Much of what you know from the 20th Century can be traced back to McCann Erickson. Everything that seemingly unites those of us with a common 20th Century History can be linked to them . . . even the toppling of a government. If you've seen Mad Men, you've heard them mentioned. But what you didn't learn was the truth about their role and impact on your life.  Become a supporter of this podcast: ht...

Episode 26: A Charlie Brown Christmas (TV Show) Podcast 17.11.2021

Thinking of watching A Charlie Brown Christmas this year? What would be better than a full understanding of how it came to be, starting way back in the 1400s. Learn about Charles Schulz, Lee Mendelson, Bill Melendez, Vince Guaraldi, Hans Christian Andersen, Felix Mendelssohn, Saul Zaentz, NASA, Coca-Cola and more.  Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tracing-the-pa...

Episode 25: Ian Fleming and the Fake Armies of World War II 22.10.2021

 Would you ever think Thomas Edison, George Easton, Ian Fleming and Bill Blass all took part in deception? In the World's Greatest Con? The Ghost Army. It's the story of James Bond, Inflatable Tanks, Celluloid Film and a WW2 Ghost Army. Sit back and be amazed at this story of America's most respected names. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tracing-the-path-the-c...

Episode 24: How the Cholera Epidemic Jump Started the History of Pizza 22.09.2021

The history of pizza is more than its Naples Origin. You'll be amazed how Mario Puzo, Queen Margherita, Pinocchio, Yogi Berra, Al Capone, The Supreme Court and Sophia Loren all play a part. Today we look at the interconnected history of the world's greatest food (and maybe the Mob).  Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tracing-the-path-the-connected-20th-century--6...

Episode 23: Did the Post Office Grow America? 23.08.2021

Could the post office be the single largest cause of America's expansion to Westward?  When you look at it through Maslow's lens, it just may be. Sears, Greeting Cards, Charles Lindbergh, Benjamin Franklin, King William III, the California Gold Rush, the Boston Tea Party . . . and Addressing the Unaddressed in Calcutta. Let's talk about the 7 most important words in the U.S. Constitution.  Become...

Episode 22: How the Supreme Court Created Disney+ and HBOMax 21.07.2021

People like Walt Disney, Walter Murisch, Blake Edwards, Friz Freleng and Henry Mancini paved the way for Independent Film Makers today. .  . but they had help with the Paramount Decrees of 1948. Now that those are over, has the window closed? Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tracing-the-path-the-connected-20th-century--6817718/support .

Episode 21: How H.G. Wells Started Science Fiction and the Space Race 20.06.2021

HG Wells motivated authors, inventors, scientists, politicians and the every day man. Specifically Orson Welles, Leo Szilard, Robert Goddard and George Lucas were inspired by Wells to change the world. And from his words we put astronauts on the moon, created NASA and now rovers on Mars. Get ready to hear the story of how one man shaped science.  Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spr...

Episode 20: Connecting The Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon 19.05.2021

The Six Degrees of Separation Game originated in 1909 with a Novel Prize winners speech. From there it has grown in reach and truth. What if we connect the most amazing things that could never truly have something in common. We do and it's amazing!  Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tracing-the-path-the-connected-20th-century--6817718/support .

Episode 19: Was the Idea for m&ms Stolen or Inspired? 20.04.2021

Which 2 wars played a role in the history of M&M Chocolate Candy?  And the Nutcracker? How did the Mars Bar, 3 Musketeers, Milky Way and Cadbury Easter Eggs come to be?  And learn how 2 wars combined to make the most popular candy in the world. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tracing-the-path-the-connected-20th-century--6817718/support .

Episode 18: How Negro League Baseball Solved the Cuban Missile Crisis 20.03.2021

Baseball created strong ties between the U.S. and Cuba, specifically the negro leagues and the Cuban league. For both countries baseball had become the national past time  . . . until Fidel Castro stepped in. Today we look at the how baseball impacted the Cuban Missile Crisis along with some of the major traditions surrounding it.  Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podca...

Episode 17: How a Tennessee Student Overturned the Scopes Trial Verdict 22.02.2021

Let's unravel the mysteries of the Trial of the Century where Clarence Darrow and William Jennings Bryan put evolution on trial. What was the long term significance? How did it end? And who got the final justice? Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tracing-the-path-the-connected-20th-century--6817718/support .

Episode 16: Believe it or Not! A Cartoonist Saved our National Anthem 20.01.2021

In today's story we explore the interconnected stories of Anacreon the Greek Poet, Francis Scott Key, Robert Ripley, John Philip Sousa and 7 US Presidents.  The Star Spangled Banner isn't just about a flag or the Battle of Fort McHenry. It involves slaves, Charles Schulz, Jack London, Oliver Wendell Holmes, and even Barry Goldwater.  Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/pod...

Episode 9: How the Transistor and Pirate Radio Created Rock n Roll 23.10.2020

Rock N Roll wouldn't exist like it does without these three guys. Because while Chuck Berry and Elvis were ushering in a new age of music. They had a little help from a major invention. We go "Back to the Future" to find out how rock n roll came to be.  Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tracing-the-path-the-connected-20th-century--6817718/support .

Episode 8: ABCs of the Most Famous Song in the World 25.08.2020

The most famous tune in the world has been around for 700 years as part of classical, folk, children's and pop music. It's been played by Mozart, Louis Armstrong, the Simpsons, and Lewis Carroll. In the 1800 it changed the American lexicon, and in the 1960s it became a pop song that was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.  Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tra...

Episode 7: Why Rand McNally's Route 66 Started With Camels 20.07.2020

Did you know Route 66 started in 1857, with Camels? Learn about the history of Route 66 intersects with the Indy 500, Charles Lindbergh, The Lincoln Highway, Rand McNally, L. Frank Baum, Dwight Eisenhower, Edward Fitzgerald Beale and more.  Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tracing-the-path-the-connected-20th-century--6817718/support .

Episode 6: The Wizard of Oz's 30 Year Miracle 18.06.2020

How did Frank Lloyd Wright, Susan B. Anthony, the Great Chicago Fire, L. Frank Baum and Judy Garland help create the 39 year Wizard of Oz Tradition? Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tracing-the-path-the-connected-20th-century--6817718/support .

Episode 5: The John Williams Legacy You Knew Nothing About 19.05.2020

Did you know that the Williams family has its hands on Orson Wells, Gilligan's Island, Back to the Future, the Looney Tunes, the Simpsons, Saved By the Bell, the Olympics, Jaws, Star Wars and Tears for Fears?  No other family has reached so far. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tracing-the-path-the-connected-20th-century--6817718/support .

Episode 4: How Curious George Escaped Nazi Germany 17.04.2020

If you're going to the traveling exhibit of the Journey That Saved Curious George: The True Wartime Escape of Margret and H.A. Rey, this is a great companion podcast. Listen in as we connect the dots between Hans and Margret Rey, Chris Van Allsburg, H.G. Wells, Harry the Dirty Dog and Will Ferrel and more.  Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tracing-the-path-the-c...

Episode 3: The Surprising Life Story of Paul Harvey (Radio) 19.03.2020

What path did Paul Harvey take to become the most influential man of the 20th century?  Let me just say that it involves Charles Lindbergh, Pearl Harbor, Joseph Kennedy . . . and you'll have to listen to get the rest of the story.  Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tracing-the-path-the-connected-20th-century--6817718/support .

Episode 2: How the Hostess Twinkie Survived Death (Twice) 20.02.2020

There's a Twinkie in Maine that's 30 years old. But the story of Twinkie has far outlasted that. How did a brand outlast it's owners and defy all odds to become a success? Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tracing-the-path-the-connected-20th-century--6817718/support .

Episode 1: How The Oregon Trail Game Made Apple Computers Famous 06.08.2019

Minneapolis's tech community was far ahead of everyone else. And their state government's progressive attitude paved the way for great changes.  1,500 miles away Steve Jobs was building a computer company, but he knew something was missing, and the answer fell in his lap. Learn how Apple went from selling 300 computers, to millions because of a game.  Become a supporter of this podcast: https://ww...

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