295-An Unlikely Attempt on Everest
05/11/20 • 33 min
In 1932, Yorkshireman Maurice Wilson chose a startling way to promote his mystical beliefs: He would fly to Mount Everest and climb it alone. In this week's episode of the Futility Closet podcast we'll follow Wilson's misguided adventure, which one writer called "the most incredible story in all the eventful history of Mount Everest."
Well also explore an enigmatic musician and puzzle over a mighty cola.
Intro:
The Sanskrit epic poem Shishupala Vadha contains a palindrome that can be read in any of four directions.
Type designer Matthew Carter offered a typeface for public buildings that comes with its own graffiti.
Sources for our feature on Maurice Wilson:
Dennis Roberts, I'll Climb Mount Everest Alone: The Story of Maurice Wilson, 2013.
Scott Ellsworth, The World Beneath Their Feet: Mountaineering, Madness, and the Deadly Race to Summit the Himalayas, 2020.
Geoff Powter, Strange and Dangerous Dreams: The Fine Line Between Adventure and Madness, 2006.
Sherry B. Ortner, Life and Death on Mt. Everest: Sherpas and Himalayan Mountaineering, 2001.
Maurice Isserman, Stewart Angas Weaver, and Dee Molenaar, Fallen Giants: A History of Himalayan Mountaineering From the Age of Empire to the Age of Extremes, 2010.
Conrad Anker, The Call of Everest: The History, Science, and Future of the World's Tallest Peak, 2013.
Jon Krakauer, Into Thin Air, 1998.
Eric Shipton, Upon That Mountain, 1943.
Martin Gutmann, "Wing and a Prayer," Climbing, Dec. 6, 2010.
Robert M. Kaplan, "Maurice Wilson’s Everest Quest," Quadrant, June 18, 2016.
T.S. Blakeney, "Maurice Wilson and Everest, 1934," Alpine Journal 70 (1965), 269-272.
John Cottrell, "The Madman of Everest," Sports Illustrated, April 30, 1973.
Audrey Salkeld, "The Struggle for Everest," Climbing 188 (Sept. 15, 1999), 108-116.
Colin Wells, "Everest the Mad Way," Climbing 224 (Sept. 15, 2003), 40-44.
Troy Lennon, "Deadly Lure of Being on Top of the World," [Surry Hills, N.S.W.] Daily Telegraph, May 26, 2006, 74.
Ed Douglas, "Rivals Race to Solve Everest Body Mystery," Guardian, May 15, 2004.
Graham Hoyland, "The Complete Guide to: Mount Everest," Independent, May 10, 2003.
Nick Ravo, "Charles Warren, 92; Introduced Top Sherpa to Everest Climbers," New York Times, May 3, 1999.
Eric E. Shipton, "Body of Climber Found on Everest," New York Times, March 23, 1936.
"Perishes in Effort to Scale Everest," [Hendersonville, N.C.] Times-News, July 27, 1934, 4.
"Briton Perishes High on Everest," New York Times, July 20, 1934.
"The Eccentric Everest Adventurer," Inside Out, BBC One, Sept. 24, 2014.
Listener mail:
Wikipedia, "Sixto Rodriguez" (accessed April 27, 2020).
David Malitz, "'Searching for Sugar Man' Documentary Rediscovers Musician Sixto Rodriguez," Washington Post, July 26, 2012.
Alexis Petridis, "The Singer Who Came Back From the Dead," Guardian, Oct. 6, 2005.
In 1932, Yorkshireman Maurice Wilson chose a startling way to promote his mystical beliefs: He would fly to Mount Everest and climb it alone. In this week's episode of the Futility Closet podcast we'll follow Wilson's misguided adventure, which one writer called "the most incredible story in all the eventful history of Mount Everest."
Well also explore an enigmatic musician and puzzle over a mighty cola.
Intro:
The Sanskrit epic poem Shishupala Vadha contains a palindrome that can be read in any of four directions.
Type designer Matthew Carter offered a typeface for public buildings that comes with its own graffiti.
Sources for our feature on Maurice Wilson:
Dennis Roberts, I'll Climb Mount Everest Alone: The Story of Maurice Wilson, 2013.
Scott Ellsworth, The World Beneath Their Feet: Mountaineering, Madness, and the Deadly Race to Summit the Himalayas, 2020.
Geoff Powter, Strange and Dangerous Dreams: The Fine Line Between Adventure and Madness, 2006.
Sherry B. Ortner, Life and Death on Mt. Everest: Sherpas and Himalayan Mountaineering, 2001.
Maurice Isserman, Stewart Angas Weaver, and Dee Molenaar, Fallen Giants: A History of Himalayan Mountaineering From the Age of Empire to the Age of Extremes, 2010.
Conrad Anker, The Call of Everest: The History, Science, and Future of the World's Tallest Peak, 2013.
Jon Krakauer, Into Thin Air, 1998.
Eric Shipton, Upon That Mountain, 1943.
Martin Gutmann, "Wing and a Prayer," Climbing, Dec. 6, 2010.
Robert M. Kaplan, "Maurice Wilson’s Everest Quest," Quadrant, June 18, 2016.
T.S. Blakeney, "Maurice Wilson and Everest, 1934," Alpine Journal 70 (1965), 269-272.
John Cottrell, "The Madman of Everest," Sports Illustrated, April 30, 1973.
Audrey Salkeld, "The Struggle for Everest," Climbing 188 (Sept. 15, 1999), 108-116.
Colin Wells, "Everest the Mad Way," Climbing 224 (Sept. 15, 2003), 40-44.
Troy Lennon, "Deadly Lure of Being on Top of the World," [Surry Hills, N.S.W.] Daily Telegraph, May 26, 2006, 74.
Ed Douglas, "Rivals Race to Solve Everest Body Mystery," Guardian, May 15, 2004.
Graham Hoyland, "The Complete Guide to: Mount Everest," Independent, May 10, 2003.
Nick Ravo, "Charles Warren, 92; Introduced Top Sherpa to Everest Climbers," New York Times, May 3, 1999.
Eric E. Shipton, "Body of Climber Found on Everest," New York Times, March 23, 1936.
"Perishes in Effort to Scale Everest," [Hendersonville, N.C.] Times-News, July 27, 1934, 4.
"Briton Perishes High on Everest," New York Times, July 20, 1934.
"The Eccentric Everest Adventurer," Inside Out, BBC One, Sept. 24, 2014.
Listener mail:
Wikipedia, "Sixto Rodriguez" (accessed April 27, 2020).
David Malitz, "'Searching for Sugar Man' Documentary Rediscovers Musician Sixto Rodriguez," Washington Post, July 26, 2012.
Alexis Petridis, "The Singer Who Came Back From the Dead," Guardian, Oct. 6, 2005.
Previous Episode
294-'The Murder Trial of the Century'
In 1957, an English doctor was accused of killing his patients for their money. The courtroom drama that followed was called the "murder trial of the century." In this week's episode of the Futility Closet podcast we'll describe the case of John Bodkin Adams and its significance in British legal history.
We'll also bomb Calgary and puzzle over a passive policeman.
Intro:
In 1959, James Sellers proposed installing microphones in baseball bases.
In the Strand, Henry Dudeney offered a puzzle about asparagus bundles.
Sources for our feature on John Bodkin Adams:
Patrick Baron Devlin, Easing the Passing: The Trial of Dr John Bodkin Adams, 2004.
Sybille Bedford, The Trial of Dr. Adams, 1962.
Percy Hoskins, Two Men Were Acquitted: The Trial and Acquittal of Doctor John Bodkin Adams, 1984.
Kieran Dolin, "The Case of Dr. John Bodkin Adams: A 'Notable' Trial and Its Narratives," in Brook Thomas, ed., Law and Literature, 2002.
Jonathan Reinarz and Rebecca Wynter, eds., Complaints, Controversies and Grievances in Medicine: Historical and Social Science Perspectives, 2014.
Russell G. Smith, Health Care, Crime and Regulatory Control, 1998.
Gail Tulloch, Euthanasia, Choice and Death, 2005.
Rt. Hon. Lord Justice Munby, "Medicine and the Law of Homicide: A Case for Reform?", King's Law Journal 23:3 (December 2012), 207-232.
Percy Hoskins, "Points: Dr John Bodkin Adams," British Medical Journal (Clinical Research Edition) 287:6404 (Nov. 19, 1983), 1555.
"Trial of Dr. J. Bodkin Adams," British Medical Journal 1:5020 (March 23, 1957), 712-713.
"Trial of Dr. J. Bodkin Adams," British Medical Journal 1:5021 (March 30, 1957), 771-772.
"Trial of Dr. J. Bodkin Adams: Expert Evidence," British Medical Journal 1:5022 (April 6, 1957), 828-834.
"Trial of Dr. J. Bodkin Adams: Expert Evidence Continued," British Medical Journal 1:5023 (April 13, 1957), 889-894.
Daniel E. Murray, "The Trial of Dr. Adams," University of Miami Law Review 13:4 (1959), 494.
A.W. Simpson, "Euthanasia for Sale?", Michigan Law Review 84:4 (February-April 1986), 807.
J.E. Hall Williams, "The Report of the Tucker Committee on Proceedings Before Examining Justices (July, 1958: Cmnd. 479)," Modern Law Review 21:6 (November 1958), 647-652.
Caitlin Mahar, "Roy Porter Student Prize Essay, 2012: Easing the Passing: R v Adams and Terminal Care in Postwar Britain," Social History of Medicine 28:1 (2015), 155-171.
Peter Ranscombe, "Shipman and Bodkin Adams in the Dock," Lancet Psychiatry 2:11 (November 2015), e32.
"Crown vs. Dr. Adams: A Majestic Trial in Old Bailey," Life 42:16 (April 22, 1957), 30-37.
Amanda Poole, "Did Antrim's Notorious 'Doctor Death' Go to His Grave With 300 Murders on His Conscience?", Belfast Telegraph, May 21, 2013, 3.
Joyce Galbraith, "What Happens When Doctors Play God ...," Irish Medical Times 40:14 (April 7, 2006), 28.
Jeremy Laurance, "Serial Killers 'Attracted to Medical Profession,'" Independent, May 10, 2001, 10.
Ian Starrett, "Ulster's Notorious 'Mercy' Killing Doc," Belfast News Letter, Feb. 2, 2000, 13.
"Dr. John Bodkin Adams Is Buried, and So Is Answer to Patients' Deaths," Philadelphia Inquirer, July 22, 1983, C.18.
"Hearing for Dr. Adams Opens," New York Times, May 21, 1957.
"Dr. Adams -- One Month After Acquittal," New York Times, May 5, 1957.
Next Episode
296-The Little Giants
In 1957, 14 boys from Monterrey, Mexico, walked into Texas to take part in a game of Little League baseball. What followed surprised and inspired two nations. In this week's episode of the Futility Closet podcast we'll tell the story of the Monterrey Industrials and their unlikely path into baseball history.
We'll also have dinner for one in Germany and puzzle over a deadly stick.
Intro:
In a poetry contest, Mark Twain offered an entry of undeniable value.
Lewis Carroll composed a bewildering puzzle about a pig.
Sources for our feature on the Monterrey Industrials:
W. William Winokur, The Perfect Game, 2008.
Robin Van Auken, The Little League Baseball World Series, 2002.
Lance Van Auken, Play Ball!: The Story of Little League Baseball, 2001.
Jorge Iber, "Mexico: Baseball's Humble Beginnings to Budding Competitor," in George Gmelch and Daniel A. Nathan, eds., Baseball Beyond Our Borders: An International Pastime, 2017, 75–84.
Jim Morrison, "The Little League World Series' Only Perfect Game," Smithsonian.com, April 5, 2010.
Ramona Shelburne, "Giant Steps: A 12-Mile Walk to a Small Texas Town Started a Little League Championship Run for a Team From Monterrey, Mexico. Fifty Years Later, Its Story Is Retold," Los Angeles Daily News, Aug. 26, 2007, S.1.
Pablo Jaime Sáinz, "1957 Little League Champions Treated Like Heroes in San Diego," La Prensa San Diego, Nov. 24, 2010, 3.
Ben Brigandi, "Macias Returns to LLWS for Ceremony," Williamsport [Pa.] Sun-Gazette, Aug. 24, 2017.
"Reynosa Little Leaguers Inspired by 1957 Mexico Champions," Associated Press, Aug. 26, 2017.
Steve Wulf, "As Williamsport Opened Its Arms to Mexico's Team, Its Players Embraced the Legacy of Their Predecessors From Monterrey," ESPN, Aug 18, 2016.
"Cinderella Club Wins LL Crown," United Press, Aug. 24, 1957.
Michael Strauss, "88-Pounder Hope of Monterrey in Little League Series Today; Angel Macias, Ambidextrous, Is Team's No. 1 Pitcher, Batter and Fielder," New York Times, Aug. 22, 1957.
"Little League World Series Opens With Big-Time Pomp," [Kittanning, Pa.] Simpson's Leader-Times, Aug. 21, 1957, 13.
Michael Strauss, "Macias Hurls Perfect No-Hitter As Monterrey Captures Series," New York Times, Aug. 24, 1957.
Elaine Ayala, "Movie, Book Look Back at 'Perfect' Little League Game," My San Antonio, Sept. 2, 2009.
Reed Johnson, "'The Perfect Game' Dodged Many Curveballs En Route to Big Screen," Los Angeles Times, April 20, 2010.
"Pitcher Has Perfect Game As Taiwan Advances, 18-0," New York Times, Aug. 24, 1979.
Edward Wong, "Baseball: Bronx Team Wins Opener On Almonte's Perfect Game," New York Times, Aug. 19, 2001.
David Falkner, "Boys' Baseball and Men's Memories," New York Times, Aug. 20, 1986.
Marshall G. Most and Robert Rudd, "A Less Than Perfect Game, in a Less Than Perfect Place: The Critical Turn in Baseball Film," Cooperstown Symposium on Baseball and A...
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