Wild West Tech
Encyclopedia
Wild West Tech was a program that aired on The History Channel
in the United States. The show was originally hosted by Keith Carradine
(2003–2004), but his brother, David Carradine
took over hosting duties for season 2 and subsequent seasons. The show illustrated a variety of technologies used in the Wild West, and featured interviews with numerous Western historians, as well as re-created versions of important events in Western history.
s and dramatizations portray just how key 19th century events may have transpired. The production aims to put the viewer into the spirit of the Old West with its host inhabiting an unnamed frontier town delivering (sometimes ironic) commentary.
A new spin on the typical technology fact program, this program often covers subjects from the American Old West
that are not generally discussed in more traditional settings. For example, one episode takes a look at the brothel
, focusing on the inventions and technological innovations used to make the institution of prostitution less harsh on the lives of the women involved.
Another explains that Morphine was first isolated in 1803 by the German pharmacist Friedrich Wilhelm Adam Sertürner
, but it was not until the development of the hypodermic needle
(1853) that its use spread and it spread quite a bit in the American West. It was used for pain relief and, ironically, as a 'cure' for opium or alcohol addiction. Its extensive use during the American Civil War
resulted in over 400,000 sufferers from the "soldiers disease" (addiction).
The same episode informs the viewers that heroin, along with other drugs, was only criminalized in the US
by the Harrison Narcotics Tax Act
of 1914 decades after it was derived.
Other topics include the technological histories of various alcoholic beverages, saloons
, weapons, and cowboy
gangs.
2. Pilot- 2 19 Aug 03 The Gunslingers
2. 1- 2 6 Apr 04 Execution Tech
3. 1- 3 13 Apr 04 Military Tech
4. 1- 4 20 Apr 04 Hunting Tech
5. 1- 5 27 Apr 04 Western Towns
6. 1- 6 4 May 04 Brothel Tech
7. 1- 7 11 May 04 Native American Tech
8. 1- 8 18 May 04 Train Tech
9. 1- 9 25 May 04 Gambling Tech
10. 1-10 8 Jun 04 Gold Rush Tech
11. 2- 1 9 Nov 04 Six-Shooter Tech
12. 2- 2 16 Nov 04 Vigilante Tech
13. 2- 3 23 Nov 04 Alamo Tech
14. 2- 4 30 Nov 04 Deadwood Tech
15. 2- 5 7 Dec 04 Massacre Tech
16. 2- 6 14 Dec 04 Biggest Machines in the West
17. 2- 7 21 Dec 04 Freak Show Tech
18. 2- 8 28 Dec 04 Disaster Tech
19. 2- 9 25 Jan 05 Shootout Tech
20. 2-10 1 Feb 05 Saloons
21. 2-11 15 Feb 05 Law & Order Tech
22. 2-12 22 Feb 05 Gang Tech
23. 2-13 22 Mar 05 The Road West
24. 2-14 24 May 05 Civil War in the West
26. 3- 2 20 Sep 05 Freak Shows II
27. 3- 3 27 Sep 05 The Unexplained
28. 3- 4 4 Oct 05 Massacres II
29. 3- 5 11 Oct 05 Bounty Hunters
30. 3- 6 18 Oct 05 Vices
31. 3- 7 1 Nov 05 Grim Reaper
32. 3- 8 8 Nov 05 Gadgets
There is a video that documents how Keith lost the show to David in a poker
game that appears at the beginning of episode 2-1.
Shortly before leaving the show, Keith Carradine
grew a mustache for his role in the TNT production of Monte Walsh
.
The History Channel
History, formerly known as The History Channel, is an American-based international satellite and cable TV channel that broadcasts a variety of reality shows and documentary programs including those of fictional and non-fictional historical content, together with speculation about the future.-...
in the United States. The show was originally hosted by Keith Carradine
Keith Carradine
Keith Ian Carradine is an American actor who has had success on stage, film and television. In addition, he is a Golden Globe and Oscar winning songwriter. As a member of the Carradine family, he is part of an acting "dynasty" that began with his father, John Carradine.-Early life:Keith...
(2003–2004), but his brother, David Carradine
David Carradine
David Carradine was an American actor and martial artist, best known for his role as a warrior monk, Kwai Chang Caine, in the 1970s television series, Kung Fu, which later had a 1990s sequel series, Kung Fu: The Legend Continues...
took over hosting duties for season 2 and subsequent seasons. The show illustrated a variety of technologies used in the Wild West, and featured interviews with numerous Western historians, as well as re-created versions of important events in Western history.
Format
Each episode is dedicated to some broader aspect of Wild West life. Once the context is established in brief by the host, more specific elements are developed. Throughout the program, professors, writers, and other experts explain finer points while historical reenactmentHistorical reenactment
Historical reenactment is an educational activity in which participants attempt torecreate some aspects of a historical event or period. This may be as narrow as a specific moment from a battle, such as the reenactment of Pickett's Charge at the Great Reunion of 1913, or as broad as an entire...
s and dramatizations portray just how key 19th century events may have transpired. The production aims to put the viewer into the spirit of the Old West with its host inhabiting an unnamed frontier town delivering (sometimes ironic) commentary.
A new spin on the typical technology fact program, this program often covers subjects from the American Old West
American Old West
The American Old West, or the Wild West, comprises the history, geography, people, lore, and cultural expression of life in the Western United States, most often referring to the latter half of the 19th century, between the American Civil War and the end of the century...
that are not generally discussed in more traditional settings. For example, one episode takes a look at the brothel
Brothel
Brothels are business establishments where patrons can engage in sexual activities with prostitutes. Brothels are known under a variety of names, including bordello, cathouse, knocking shop, whorehouse, strumpet house, sporting house, house of ill repute, house of prostitution, and bawdy house...
, focusing on the inventions and technological innovations used to make the institution of prostitution less harsh on the lives of the women involved.
Another explains that Morphine was first isolated in 1803 by the German pharmacist Friedrich Wilhelm Adam Sertürner
Friedrich Sertürner
Friedrich Wilhelm Adam Sertürner was a German pharmacist, who discovered morphine in 1804.-Biography:He was born on 19 June 1783 in Neuhaus ....
, but it was not until the development of the hypodermic needle
Hypodermic needle
A hypodermic needle is a hollow needle commonly used with a syringe to inject substances into the body or extract fluids from it...
(1853) that its use spread and it spread quite a bit in the American West. It was used for pain relief and, ironically, as a 'cure' for opium or alcohol addiction. Its extensive use during the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
resulted in over 400,000 sufferers from the "soldiers disease" (addiction).
The same episode informs the viewers that heroin, along with other drugs, was only criminalized in the US
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
by the Harrison Narcotics Tax Act
Harrison Narcotics Tax Act
The Harrison Narcotics Tax Act was a United States federal law that regulated and taxed the production, importation, and distribution of opiates...
of 1914 decades after it was derived.
Other topics include the technological histories of various alcoholic beverages, saloons
Bar (establishment)
A bar is a business establishment that serves alcoholic drinks — beer, wine, liquor, and cocktails — for consumption on the premises.Bars provide stools or chairs that are placed at tables or counters for their patrons. Some bars have entertainment on a stage, such as a live band, comedians, go-go...
, weapons, and cowboy
Cowboy
A cowboy is an animal herder who tends cattle on ranches in North America, traditionally on horseback, and often performs a multitude of other ranch-related tasks. The historic American cowboy of the late 19th century arose from the vaquero traditions of northern Mexico and became a figure of...
gangs.
Episode guide
Two "pilot" episodes were produced, hosted by Keith Carradine, to help sell the History Channel on the concept of the series.Pilots
1. Pilot- 1 25 Aug 03 Outlaw Tech2. Pilot- 2 19 Aug 03 The Gunslingers
Season 1
1. 1- 1 30 Mar 04 Cowboy Tech2. 1- 2 6 Apr 04 Execution Tech
3. 1- 3 13 Apr 04 Military Tech
4. 1- 4 20 Apr 04 Hunting Tech
5. 1- 5 27 Apr 04 Western Towns
6. 1- 6 4 May 04 Brothel Tech
7. 1- 7 11 May 04 Native American Tech
8. 1- 8 18 May 04 Train Tech
9. 1- 9 25 May 04 Gambling Tech
10. 1-10 8 Jun 04 Gold Rush Tech
Season 2
This and subsequent seasons hosted by David Carradine.11. 2- 1 9 Nov 04 Six-Shooter Tech
12. 2- 2 16 Nov 04 Vigilante Tech
13. 2- 3 23 Nov 04 Alamo Tech
14. 2- 4 30 Nov 04 Deadwood Tech
15. 2- 5 7 Dec 04 Massacre Tech
16. 2- 6 14 Dec 04 Biggest Machines in the West
17. 2- 7 21 Dec 04 Freak Show Tech
18. 2- 8 28 Dec 04 Disaster Tech
19. 2- 9 25 Jan 05 Shootout Tech
20. 2-10 1 Feb 05 Saloons
21. 2-11 15 Feb 05 Law & Order Tech
22. 2-12 22 Feb 05 Gang Tech
23. 2-13 22 Mar 05 The Road West
24. 2-14 24 May 05 Civil War in the West
Season 3
25. 3- 1 13 Sep 05 Revenge Tech26. 3- 2 20 Sep 05 Freak Shows II
27. 3- 3 27 Sep 05 The Unexplained
28. 3- 4 4 Oct 05 Massacres II
29. 3- 5 11 Oct 05 Bounty Hunters
30. 3- 6 18 Oct 05 Vices
31. 3- 7 1 Nov 05 Grim Reaper
32. 3- 8 8 Nov 05 Gadgets
Trivia
The History Channel sometimes airs re-edited versions of the episodes to fill odd bits of time on the schedule; these "half-hour" versions feature no new content.There is a video that documents how Keith lost the show to David in a poker
Poker
Poker is a family of card games that share betting rules and usually hand rankings. Poker games differ in how the cards are dealt, how hands may be formed, whether the high or low hand wins the pot in a showdown , limits on bet sizes, and how many rounds of betting are allowed.In most modern poker...
game that appears at the beginning of episode 2-1.
Shortly before leaving the show, Keith Carradine
Keith Carradine
Keith Ian Carradine is an American actor who has had success on stage, film and television. In addition, he is a Golden Globe and Oscar winning songwriter. As a member of the Carradine family, he is part of an acting "dynasty" that began with his father, John Carradine.-Early life:Keith...
grew a mustache for his role in the TNT production of Monte Walsh
Monte Walsh
Monte Walsh is taken from the title of a 1963 western novel by Jack Schaefer. The movie has little to do with the plot of Schaefer's book. It was directed in 1970 by cinematographer William A. Fraker in his directorial debut, and starred Lee Marvin, Jeanne Moreau and Jack Palance. The movie was set...
.