Podcast Summary
The search for a mysterious mountain of dishes leads to an intriguing story: Sometimes, the most intriguing stories are those that leave us with more questions than answers
The best stories make us think and question the world around us. This was demonstrated in a recent episode of Endless Thread, a podcast produced by WBUR Boston, where hosts Ben Brock Johnson and Amari Sivertson went on a fruitless search for a mysterious mountain of ceramic dishes and tea cups in the woods of Pennsylvania. Despite the failure of their mission, they managed to uncover an intriguing story from Matt, a man who stumbled upon the plates while on a road trip with his girlfriend. Matt's discovery went viral on Reddit, and although he was initially overwhelmed by the attention, he was willing to share his story. The plates were located near a campsite, with no phone service, and were approximately 45 minutes away. The area was also home to a local school and a run-down, abandoned-looking building. The search for the plates led to a fascinating exchange between the hosts and Matt, and served as a reminder that sometimes, the most intriguing stories are the ones that leave us with more questions than answers.
Using the power of the internet and determination, the team made progress in solving the mystery of Plate Mountain: Determination and the internet can help solve even the most peculiar mysteries, as shown by Matt and his team's progress in finding Plate Mountain with the help of Redditors, map nerds, and a solid waste specialist.
Determination and the power of the internet can lead to solving even the most peculiar mysteries. Matt and his team hit a dead end in their search for the Plate Mountain, but with the help of Redditors, map nerds, and a solid waste specialist from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, they were able to make significant progress. The team used specific details, such as the school, graveyard, train tracks, and a loading dock, to narrow down their search area. They also roped in a WBUR developer to help with the distance calculations. The solid waste specialist, Keith Rule, had already been investigating a report of illegal dumping in the area and was able to provide valuable information. While the search continues, the team's persistence and the power of the internet have led them closer to solving the mystery of the Plate Mountain.
Identifying illegal dump sites can be challenging, especially when dealing with large-scale and non-typical scenarios: Despite tips and efforts, finding illegal dump sites can be difficult due to various obstacles and the complex nature of the activity
Identifying and locating illegal dump sites can be a challenging task, especially when dealing with large-scale and non-typical scenarios. Calling a landowner to inquire about potential illegal dumping may not always be the best approach, as those with a stake in the dumping activity might not be forthcoming with information. The typical illegal dump site is characterized by a haphazard collection of various waste materials, but a massive pile of one type of material may not fit this description. In this particular case, a tip about a "plate mountain" led to a wild goose chase in Pennsylvania, but despite the efforts of a team of hunters, developers, and Redditors, the location remained elusive. The only hope was the original poster, who had barely any recollection of the event. Attempts to extract location data from the original photo also proved unsuccessful. The quest to find the "plate mountain" continued to be foiled by various obstacles, highlighting the complexity and challenges of identifying and locating illegal dump sites.
A crucial detail from a campground leads to a breakthrough in an investigation: Paying attention to seemingly insignificant details and following up on leads can lead to valuable information in an investigation
During an investigation into an unsolved mystery, every detail, no matter how seemingly insignificant, can hold valuable information. In this podcast episode, the hosts received a crucial piece of information from a caller named Matt, who had attended a campground with his girlfriend's aunt. The significance of the campground's name, Austin Lake Campground in Ohio, was initially overlooked, but it later became a vital lead in their investigation. Matt's girlfriend's aunt had been trying to find out the location of the campground since her divorce from her husband, and she reached out to Matt to ask for the name. The hosts were able to confirm that Matt was not trolling and that the information was legitimate. This discovery not only moved the investigation forward but also gave the hosts a sense of excitement and progress. The importance of paying attention to every detail and following up on leads is a crucial aspect of any investigation.
Mystery of Ohio Plates leads investigators to junkyard: Investigators seek to uncover origin of mysterious Ohio Plates by following leads to Maryland Refractories junkyard, still working to confirm location with company representative.
The search for the mysterious pile of dishware, known as the Ohio Plates, led the investigators to a junkyard called Maryland Refractories. The location, which is in the Bermuda Triangle of Google Maps and has unique properties, was intrigued by the inquiry and revealed that they have handled ceramics in the past. The investigators, who are determined to find the plates and uncover their origin, are still trying to confirm the exact location of the plates with the company's representative, Brad Nock. The plates, which have been a mystery since they were first discovered on Reddit, have sparked curiosity and adventure for those seeking to uncover their secrets. Despite the challenges and setbacks, the investigators remain committed to their quest.
A tour of Maryland Refractories, an industrial recycling company: Oldest industrial recycling company in US, uses Bertha to break down materials, sells to industries like steel, important history of industrial recycling
Maryland Refractories in Irondale, Ohio, is not an illegal dump site, but one of the oldest industrial recycling companies in the United States. The company, which has been in operation for a long time before recycling became popular, uses a large machine called Bertha to break down bricks and other materials into their most elemental form. The crushed material is then sold to various industries, such as the steel industry, which uses it to coat the smelters used to produce molten steel. The team's visit to the site revealed a bustling industrial area with piles of bricks, stone, and other materials, as well as machines, forklifts, and animals. The team was welcomed by the owners, Clark Carlson and Brad Nock, and their animals, and they left with a newfound appreciation for the importance and history of industrial recycling.
A new life for discarded plates and toilet parts: Maryland Refractories turns waste into valuable resources by recycling discarded plates and toilet parts into new building materials, inspiring sustainability and innovation.
Plate Mountain, a seemingly odd yet significant location, serves as a destination for misfits and defects in the form of discarded plates and toilet parts. Maryland Refractories, with the help of Brad and Clark, plans to recycle these pieces through Big Bertha's crushing machine to create new building materials. This process is cathartic and innovative, but challenging due to the industry's resistance to paying for eco-friendly solutions. The result is a beautiful, seemingly endless splotch of broken plates, visible only to those who know where to look. This waste reduction initiative, though not the primary focus of the business, is a step towards creating a more sustainable world. The discovery of this unique process leaves us with a sense of victory and a reminder that even seemingly useless items can be transformed into something valuable.
A Reddit-assisted search for a discarded plate pile in Maryland leads to success: Through the power of community, a podcast and Reddit collaborated to locate a notorious pile of discarded plates in Maryland, engaging listeners and uncovering local history.
The Endless Thread podcast, in partnership with Reddit, embarked on a mission to find an infamous pile of discarded plates in Maryland, and through the help of Redditors, they were successful. The podcast hosts, Clark and Brad, encouraged listeners to write a review on Apple Podcasts, take a screenshot, and email it to them for a chance to win a beautiful plate from Earth Fire Surfaces, a Maryland refractories and plate upcycling business. The hosts expressed gratitude to various individuals who contributed to the search, including Redditors peonychalk, healthy, cebra, and exb 999, WBR web developer Dave Moore, and Pennsylvania DEP specialist Keith Ruehl. The podcast team also thanked agent 641 (James) for initially suggesting they look into Maryland refractories. The team's website, wburdot org/endlessthread, now features photos of the plate pile and a recreation of the original photo. The Endless Thread podcast is a production of WBUR Boston's NPR station and features hosts Amory Siebertson and Ben Brock Johnson, producer Josh Swartz, executive producer Iris Adler, and advisor Michael Pope, among others. Listeners are invited to contribute art or story tips on Reddit.
