Selects: What Were the BONE WARS?

This podcast episode of "Stuff You Should Know" explores the "Bone Wars," a historical rivalry between paleontologists Othniel Charles Marsh and Edward Drinker Cope in the late 19th century. The hosts, Josh and Chuck, discuss the backgrounds of Marsh and Cope, their initial friendship, and the events that led to their bitter competition, including Marsh's underhanded tactics and Cope's Elasmosaurus blunder. They detail how the opening of the American West fueled their rivalry, leading to both significant discoveries and destructive practices in paleontology, and how their competition ultimately impacted their careers and finances. The episode concludes with a discussion of their legacies and a listener mail segment.