This week on The StickyBeak, we dive into the shocking history of the guillotine — one of the most infamous execution machines ever created.
Born out of the chaos of the French Revolution, the guillotine was designed as a “humane” method of execution. But what followed was anything but simple. It quickly became a symbol of terror, justice, and mass public spectacle, used to carry out executions on an unprecedented scale.
In this episode, we explore how and why the guillotine was invented, how it became central to revolutionary France, and why it still fascinates (and horrifies) us today. From its surprisingly bureaucratic origins to its brutal legacy, this is the story of how a machine changed the meaning of death itself.
If you’re interested in dark history, true crime, or the strange inventions that shaped the world, this episode is for you.
🎉 Big news! The StickyBeak will be returning to two episodes a week!
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