Man vs. History

There is no shortage of great American rivalries. Myths are born in the hair-trigger atmosphere of a feud, such that over time it's gets harder and harder to ferret out what the real facts were and how the disagreements even started. Bil gets his hands dirty to figure out what got the Hatfield's and the McCoy's so worked up, if Hamilton really wasted his shot at Burr, and what actually happened at the O.K. Corral.

In 19th century America, the frontier was a challenging place to survive, which meant that the tools and the weapons folks carried often meant the difference between life and death. Not surprisingly, a great many myths have grown up around some of the most iconic tools and weapons. Bil separates fact from fiction surrounding the legendary Bowie Knife, attempts to outshoot Abe Lincoln, and unloads the Colt 45 origin story.

It's often said that necessity is the mother of invention, although no one knows who first said that or when. Which makes sense, because when it comes to inventors, murky origin stories go along with the territory. Bil sheds light on how Ben Franklin really discovered electricity, examines if Edison truly invented the lightbulb, and sorts out if the Wright Brothers were actually first in flight.

The pursuit of American Independence spawned some of the greatest achievements and inspirational moments in the nation's history. Not surprisingly, they've taken on a mythical quality over the course of generations. Bil saddles up to find out what Paul Revere's ride was really like, if the turning point in Revolutionary War was a seemingly impossible sniper shot, and if Betsey Ross was really responsible for Old Glory.