Harold Von Braunhut | How This Man Scammed Kids With His Sea Monkeys

Things I Learned Last Night

Space Tim Media

Comedy, Education, History

4.6 • 673 Ratings

🗓️ 18 March 2025

⏱️ 52 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Have you ever heard about the sea monkeys? You might think they're magical pets, but they're tiny shrimp! Harold Von Braunhut was the man behind this clever idea. He sold sea monkeys to children in comic books, making kids think these creatures could dance or play baseball. Sea monkeys are really just brine shrimp—very tiny and simple creatures. But Harold Von Braunhut knew kids would buy anything exciting. He advertised sea monkeys as pets that could learn tricks. Kids were amazed and quickly begged their parents to buy them. Things I Learned Last Night is an educational comedy podcast where best friends Jaron Myers and Tim Stone talk about random topics and have fun all along the way. If you like learning, and laughing a whole lot while you do, then you’ll love TILLN. Watch or listen to this episode today! Become a Patron and Get Early Access to Ad-Free Episodes: https://tilln.com/support Episode link: https://tilln.com/seamonkeys Support TILLN & Join The Mailing List: https://linktr.ee/tillnpodcast Watch Edward Bernays: https://youtu.be/KfsmtrXknlM?si=B5Xlelj6friJDQ0X Text TILLN to 66866 to become a patron and gain access to ad-free episodes, the exclusive discord, and earn discounts on TILLN Merch. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0	Ready to launch your business? Get started with the commerce platform made for entrepreneurs. Shopify is specially designed to help you start, run and grow your business with easy customizable themes that let you build your brand. Marketing tools that get your products out there. Integrated shipping solutions that actually save you time from startups to scale online, in person, and on the go.
0:22.0	Shopify is made for entrepreneurs like you.
0:24.5	Sign up for your $1 a month trial at Shopify.com slash setup.
0:30.1	It's the cinematic event of the year.
0:32.5	Critics say incredible, jaw-dropping, action-packed with savings.
0:37.0	You're talking about Thunderbolts?
0:38.3	No, Serge, is two-for-one cinema tickets from Compares the Market, a wonderful offer.
0:43.1	So?
0:43.8	That you can use to see Marvel Studios' Thunderbolts only in cinemas.
0:48.0	Woo-hoo! I'll get the popcorn.
0:49.7	Get two-for-one cinema tickets every Tuesday or Wednesday with Compares the Market.
0:53.5	Simples.
0:56.2	When you take out a qualifying product to compare the market.
0:59.3	One membership per year, participating cinemas, two standard tickets only cheap as free.
1:00.0	T's and C's apply.
1:05.6	Hey, this week we're talking about Harold von Braun Hunt, who is an advertiser in the 50s and 60s, who sold sea monkeys.
1:12.5	You might have heard of these. uh they were just basically tiny little shrimp that they sold through magazine articles and then kids were like what do you mean they can't dance what do you mean they can't play baseball uh because
1:16.7	it was easy to take advantage of children back then yeah that's how you want to say that's that's how
1:23.0	i want to intro the episode okay uh it's march 18th what do you got going on? It's what, which day it is it?
1:29.8	March 18. Yeah, this weekend, I'll be in Ashland, Kentucky on March 22nd. I would love to see you there.
1:35.9	And if you're like, where's Ashland, Kentucky? That's, I asked as well. So Google it. You'll find it.
1:41.2	It's out there. And then this June, we're running the church comedy tour back. Those dates will be available soon. Check all my dates out on my website, jarenmires.com slash shows.
	...

Please login to see the full transcript.

Previous episode | Next episode

Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from Space Tim Media, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.

Generated transcripts are the property of Space Tim Media and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.