Of all the time honored Christmas traditons, few are more beloved than the watching of the Rankin/Bass stop motion specials. There was something about these magical figures that fascinated me and hundreds more. In part 1 of a 2 part series, I interview the official historian of Rankin/Bass poductions, Rick Goldschmidt. We discuss what Rankin/Bass so iconic and the history of the company.

Science fiction has been around for centuries. It began with the ancients and came full force with Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. Science fiction writers have one great acclaim like Ray Bradbury and Damon Knight. What was once considered stories for you boys is now considered a legitimate genre.

American horror has fascinated people for centuries. It seems some people enjoy being scared. Perhaps, that is what makes Horror fiction so popular. Many great authors have written horror stories. Horror fiction has a fascinating history.

Like countless others, Italian immigrants faced much hardships during their journey to and in America. Some returned to Italy but, others endured. They helped build America. They changed American cuisine. They modeled American reselience.

Germans have played an integral role to the history of the United States. They helped this country fight its wars and build businesses. They faced srutiny during difficult times. They bounced back.

Appliances make living easier. Whether it's refrigerators or ovens, common household items have become staples. There's a history behind item. Some brand names have become staples. There's a story behind every item.

Some inventors have gone down in the annals of history like Thomas Edison and Alexander Graham Bell. Some have became forgotten over time. These people were resonsible for many of the items we use today. These names deserve to be remembered. Here, I discuss some of the inventors whose names may not be as well known as others.

Giggle juice, giggle water, hooch, booze. No matter what you call it, alcohol has been in this country since the beginning of the U.S. Some presidents have made their own liquor. Some people have created movements against alcohol. Alcohol overconsumption has lead to support groups. Join me as I discuss the history of Alcohol in the United States.