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Object Obscura

Object Obscura

Thatcher Warrick Hess

A podcast that unearths the true stories of objects. Your host, Thatcher Warrick Hess, is a linguist, historian and a collector. Thatcher will take you on the investigative journey to find out when the object was made - and who may have owned it.
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Top 10 Object Obscura Episodes

Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best Object Obscura episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to Object Obscura for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite Object Obscura episode by adding your comments to the episode page.

Object Obscura - EP 13 - Flights • Factory • Father
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11/05/21 • 30 min

In this episode I have a WWII flight report log book. We investigate the book’s pages and hear many unexpected stories from the soldier's daughter. Thank you to Pilot Dave and Ellen Rhinehart.

Theme song for Object Obscura is ‘Behind the Walls’ by Nathanie

Thanks to Epidemic Sound and Anchor.fm for most of the music, SFX and distribution. Music in order of appearance: Time Pressure by Max Anson, Behind the Walls by Nathanie, Closed Book by Dream Cave, Tension 5 by Erik Ekstrom, Where No Man Has Gone Before by Dream Cave, Lost Stories by Aias Conor, Monograph by Johannes Bornlof, Missing Pieces by Dream Cave, Across the Waters by Dream Cave, Extinction Path by John Sumner, Atomic Numbers 1 by August Wilhelmsson, The Last Disaster by Howard Harper-Barnes, Returning Memories by Erasmus Talbot, In Ruins by Synthetic Tides and New Dimensions by Reynard Seidel.

SFX and Archival credits:

1.) “Attention Young Men” (1947) from FedFlix on YouTube

2.) “Charlie Sweeney - Interview After Nagasaki Bomb Drop” (1945) from CriticalPast

All pictures of this episode’s object are on Facebook @objectobscurapodcast, Instagram @object.obscura and Twitter @objectobscura. Go to our website as well object-obscura.com

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Object Obscura - EP 01 - World War II • Welder • Washington
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10/02/20 • 33 min

This episode I am searching for the missing soldier of a World War II Japanese phrasebook. The names he wrote in the book lead me to someone he loved - 75 years later.

This is episode 1 of 5 - season 1 of Object Obscura. Other thanks and credits not mentioned in the episode. Music (in order of appearance): Intro and outro theme music is Gears by Thatcher Warrick Hess, Bullish by Density and Time, Alone by Emmit Fenn, Mystery by ispeakwaves, Heroes Will Fall by Hector Posser, Metamorphosis by Quincas Moreira, Mizuki by Bad Snacks and Lost at Sea by TrackTribe. Archival audio is: “Our Enemy: The Japanese” film by U.S. War Department in 1943 from Prelinger Archives. Thank you to the YouTube music library.

Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts and more --> object-obscura.com

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Object Obscura - EP 07 - Nougat • Nurse • New Jersey
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09/10/21 • 24 min

In this episode I have a WWII chocolate tin. An inscription on the back of the tin intrigues me to write a story that takes an unexpected turn. I don’t find the consumers of the chocolate but the woman who helped make it. Thank you to Sarah Wassberg Johnson and Susan Whildin

Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts and Anchor. You can also listen on our website --> object-obscura.com

Theme song for Object Obscura is ‘Behind the Walls’ by Nathanie @nathaniengnu

Thanks to Epidemic Sound for the music and SFX. Music in order of appearance: Vague by Amaranth Cove, Behind the Walls by Nathanie, Dead Alley by Dream Cave, A Mouthful to Chew by Jerry Lacey, After Rain Sunshine by Taomito, Final Breakthrough by Sage Oursler, Mountain Air by Cody Francis, Mainlander by Dream Cave, Empty Streets by Isobel O’Connor, Garden Love by Penny Key and Mother of Light by Johannes Bornlof.

Archival audio: “The Gardens of Victory” (1940-45) on YouTube

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Object Obscura - UPDATE to Object Obscura Season 2
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10/08/21 • 0 min

Hey guys - just wanted to let you know there is no episode this week. Due to the nature of this show - where I’m researching these episodes simultaneously, not all of the stories are complete.

So I hope to release a new episode every Friday starting next week on October 15. If there are more developments then I’ll let you know in a future update episode.

I also wanted to share some news with you. It’s just over a year since I released my very first episode about a WWII Japanese phrasebook.

Since then, we have surpassed 1,000 total plays on all podcast streaming platforms. Thank you guys for continuing to listen and give feedback.

I want this show to be a conversation- even if I do find most of the answers that arise in each episode.

But if you haven’t listened to some of the newer episodes then go ahead and do so - you have this next week to catch up.

I also have created new business cards for my DBA, The Obscurity Podcast Network.

Thank you everyone - happy hunting and stay obscure.

*Listen to all episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts and our website object-obscura.com

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Object Obscura - EP 12 - Markers • Marginalia • Mother Goose
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10/22/21 • 27 min

In this episode I have an early 1900s pencil box with a drawing of Mother Goose on the top. We discuss the deep history behind this box and the multilayered stories of different school children who owned similar boxes. Thank you to Debbie Schaefer-Jacobs from the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History. Theme song for Object Obscura is ‘Behind the Walls’ by Nathanie Thanks to Epidemic Sound and Anchor.fm for most of the music, SFX and distribution. Music in order of appearance: A Mathematical Genius by David Celeste, Behind the Walls by Nathanie, Firefly Trail by Trevor Kowalski, Puzzle of Complexity by Jo Wandrini, Unknowing by John Barzetti, Diaphanous Dreamcoats by Silver Maple, You’re Here by Plain Strolls, Salvation Is Coming by Eoin Mantell, At the Break of Dawn by Jakob Ahlbom, Rain Ga’zing by Red Dictionary, the First Law of Motion by Johannes Bornlof and All That’s Left to Say by David Celeste. SFX and Archival credits: “The Wilson Dam School - 1942” by the American Film Center for Alabama State Dept. of Education. From Prelinger Archive. All pictures of this episode’s object are on Facebook @objectobscurapodcast, Instagram @object.obscura and Twitter @objectobscura. Go to our website as well object-obscura.com
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Object Obscura - UPDATE 2 for Object Obscura
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10/30/21 • 0 min

Second update for season 2 of the podcast. The last three episodes will come out every other Friday, starting next week, November 3. So the schedule is EP 13 - Friday, November 3, EP 14 - Friday, November 19, EP 15 - Friday, December. Stay tuned - tell your friends and family about the show.

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Object Obscura - EP 06 - Print • Performer • Pittsburgh
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09/03/21 • 21 min

In this episode I have a printing plate. It leads me to the owner of the Great James H. Drew Exposition and the printing company that used it nearly forty years ago. Thank you to Jimmy Drew @DrewExposition and Al Rosenberg @triangleposter

Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts and Anchor. You can also listen on our website --> object-obscura.com

Theme song for Object Obscura is ‘Behind the Walls’ by Nathanie @nathaniengnu @thesznsounds

Thanks to Epidemicsound for the music and SFX. Music in order of appearance: Mystery Evolving by Gabriel Lewis, Behind the Walls by Nathanie, Mystery by ispeakwaves, Rain Show by Farrell Wooten, Freakshow by Mike Franklyn, The Boy with the Tattoo by V. V. Campos, Vague by Amaranth Cove, Backward Thinking by More than a Family, Rainbow Mystery by Kikoru, A Refreshing Change by Claude Signet, Lens Flare 1 by Peter Sandberg, Just Be Curious by Jerry Lacey, Changing Outlook by Trevor Kowalski and The Way I am by Mica Emory.

Archival audio: “1962 Seattle World’s Fair Commercial” on YouTube

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Object Obscura - EP 11 - Skis • Scandinavia • Safari
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10/15/21 • 42 min

In this episode I have a pair of wooden skis. They take me to hear stories about a world famous skier - speaking face to face with his son at a Safari park. Thank you to Seth Masia at the International Skiing History Association, Peter Lang at Safari West, Antiquities Warehouse and the Colorado Snowsports Museum.

Theme song for Object Obscura is ‘Behind the Walls’ by Nathanie

Thanks to Epidemic Sound and Anchor.fm for most of the music, SFX and distribution. Music in order of appearance: Destiny Unfolds by Max Anson, Behind the Walls by Nathanie, Labyrinths by Ciaran Delaney, Secrets and Lies by David Celeste, A Fair Tale by Jon Bjork, Evoke by Synthetic Tides, Sentiment by Spirits of Our Dreams, To Wonderland by Headlund, Simon Says Smile by Roy Williams, Changing Outlook by Trevor Kowalski, Liberate by Peter Sandberg, Stratus by Trevor Kowalski, Ski Vacation by Joe E. Lee, The Paper Birch by Johannes Bornlof, Luminescence by Trevor Kowalski, Love and Friendship by David Celeste, Tragedy Unfolds by Dream Cave, By the Fire’s Warmth by Jon Bjork and Reconcile by Peter Sandberg.

SFX and Archival credits: 1.) “Thor and Gerald Groswold, 2005 Colorado Business Hall of Fame Laureate” from Youtube. Thank you to Liz Guillebaud and Becky Holden from the Colorado Business Hall of Fame. The full link is here → https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIqboYtt39I

2.) “Snow Flight (1936) - Otto Lang” from nevasport on YouTube. Watch the full short film here → https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ecFcbuEXQLU

3.) “Otto Lang: Ski Pioneer” from the Washington State Ski and Snowboard Museum on Youtube. Thank you to John Forsen for letting me use this interview. Watch it here → https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x8L18VIYLu0

4.) “Santa Rosa fires: First hours of the devastating Tubbs fire in 9 minutes” by ThePressDemocrat on Youtube. Watch the video here → https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7Udu6hh-9U

Check the show and all the pictures of the object out on Facebook @objectobscurapodcast, Instagram @object.obscura and Twitter @objectobscura. Go to our website as well object-obscura.com

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Object Obscura - EP 08 - Horseshoer • Heritage • Health
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09/17/21 • 35 min

In this episode I have a horseshoer’s certificate from 1913. I travel to meet the person who last had it for 15 years and later track down a distant relative of the farrier who signed the document over a century ago. There were so many twists and turns and unexpected coincidences.

Thank you to the American Farriers Association @AmericanFarriers, Pat Hirsch and Judy Sullivan.

Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts and Anchor. You can also listen on our website --> object-obscura.com

Theme song for Object Obscura is ‘Behind the Walls’ by Nathanie @nathaniengnu

Thanks to @Epidemicsound for most of the music and SFX. Music in order of appearance: Sacred Waters by Gabriel Lewis, Behind the Walls by Nathanie, Nocturne by Trevor Kowalski, Equatorial Mystery by Medite, Ominous by Philip Ayers, A Mysterious Guest by Farrell Wooten, Folk Story by Trevor Kowalski, Leave No Stone Unturned by Dream Cave, Mystery Minutes by Farrel Wooten, Namib Sunrise by Alec Slayne, Displaced by Robert Ruth, As We Fell Asleep by Peace Reels, Never Ending by Peace Reels, Evening Melody by Lily and Elle Konold, Raindrop by Megan Wofford, Sadness by Carl Henriksson, Falling Raindrops by Jon Algar and Story is She Left Without a Trace by Trevor Kowalski.

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Neste episódio viajamos até uma fábrica que fabricou objetos há mais de 200 anos. Um complexo industrial no nordeste do Brasil construído entre 1804 e 1808 tem intrigado os arqueólogos por mais de 100 anos. Tudo começou quando um físico português chegou a São Luís em 1799. Neste episódio vamos ouvir as histórias da família que cuida das ruínas do século XIX.

Muito obrigado a Flaviomiro Mendonça, Fernando Mendonça and Laura Mendonça.

A música tema de Object Obscura é 'Bateria Brasileira' de Redeemin'

Graças a Epidemic Sound e Spotify para Podcasters. Música em ordem de aparição: We Are Here Now de August Wilhelmsson, Bateria Brasileira de Redeemin', Jungle Classroom de Edward Karl Hanson, Cadiz Nights de Colton Walls, Big Announcement de Out To The World, The Slow River de Peace Reels, Memories Forgotten de Eric Feinberg, We Are Giants de Silver Maple, Impasse de Silver Maple, The Launch de Jon Bjork, Like Moths to a Flame de Alec Slayne, Endeavor de Jakob Ahlbom, These Rainy Days de Elm Lake, Cry de Johannes Bornlof, Undefined Friendship de Million Eyes e Hand Me A Guitar de Isobelle Walton.

Editado, escrito, verificado e traduzido por Thatcher Warrick Hess, Saylon Sousa e Laura Mendonça.

Todas as fotos do objeto deste episódio estão no Facebook @objectobscurapodcast, Instagram @object.obscura e Twitter @objectobscura. Acesse também nosso site object-obscura.com

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FAQ

How many episodes does Object Obscura have?

Object Obscura currently has 35 episodes available.

What topics does Object Obscura cover?

The podcast is about History and Podcasts.

What is the most popular episode on Object Obscura?

The episode title 'EP 13 - Flights • Factory • Father' is the most popular.

What is the average episode length on Object Obscura?

The average episode length on Object Obscura is 29 minutes.

How often are episodes of Object Obscura released?

Episodes of Object Obscura are typically released every 13 days, 23 hours.

When was the first episode of Object Obscura?

The first episode of Object Obscura was released on Aug 20, 2020.

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