The Disappearing Spoon: a science history podcast with Sam Kean · Sam Kean, Bleav
The Publicity Stunt that Sparked the Scopes Monkey Trial
December 16, 2025·19 min·1 clip
William Jennings Bryan ended up prosecuting the teenager who laughed during his speech in the infamous Scopes Monkey Trial.
As heard by us
A 1919 hometown speech becomes a layered look at the Scopes case, where evolution, religion, and legal strategy collide.
The episode is strongest when it ties William Jennings Bryan's 1919 hometown commencement speech in Salem, Illinois to the later Scopes fight.
Why you'd press play
You want the strange origin story behind the Scopes Trial's public showdown.
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