Podcast Episodes
Back to SearchJohn Logie Baird invents television
On 26 January 1926, John Logie Baird first demonstrated his 'televisor' in public. It was the prototype for television.
Many people couldn't believe …
1 month, 1 week ago
Agatha Christie: best-selling novelist of all time
On 12 January 1976, author Agatha Christie died peacefully, aged 85.
She created the detectives Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple.
By the time of her deat…
1 month, 1 week ago
The Challenger space shuttle tragedy
On 28 January 1986, a space shuttle launch went wrong.
Six astronauts and a teacher, Christa McAuliffe, were killed.
In 1984, US President Ronald Reaga…
1 month, 1 week ago
Operation Mincemeat
In the early hours of 30 April, 1943, the most audacious hoax of World War Two has just got underway. Its code-name - Operation Mincemeat.
The body of…
1 month, 2 weeks ago
The Irish priest who built an airport
In May 1986, a new airport opened in Knock in the west of Ireland. It was the dream of an Irish priest, Monsignor James Horan, who raised millions to…
1 month, 2 weeks ago
Exiled Ayatollah Khomeini returns to Iran
In February 1979, after the Shah left Iran, religious leader Ayatollah Khomeini flew back to Tehran from Paris.
He had been in exile and was greeted b…
1 month, 2 weeks ago
Weekend listening: The History Bureau
If journalism is the first draft of history, what happens if that draft turns out to be flawed? The History Bureau revisits the defining stories of o…
1 month, 2 weeks ago
Afghan Star
In 2005, a new show was launched on television in Afghanistan to find new musical talent – it was called Afghan Star and was inspired by formats like…
1 month, 2 weeks ago
The deadly Vargas mudslides in Venezuela
In December 1999, torrential rain in Venezuela led to floods and mudslides. Government estimates put the number killed at 3,000 but other reports sug…
1 month, 2 weeks ago
Creating Cluedo
Air raids and blackouts during World War Two helped Anthony Pratt invent one of the most popular family board games: Cluedo.
But the musician's real i…
1 month, 3 weeks ago