Podcast Episodes

The first CIA-backed coup in Latin America

In June 1954, the first CIA-backed coup took place in Guatemala, when President Jacobo Arbenz was overthrown in a operation organised by the US government. The Administration of Dwight D Eisenhower f…

Published on 1 year, 5 months ago

Dignitas: Founding an assisted dying society

In 1998, the assisted dying society, Dignitas was set up in Switzerland by lawyer Ludwig Minelli.

It was the first end-of-life organisation in the world to help foreigners - non-Swiss citizens - to di…

Published on 1 year, 5 months ago

Sagrada Familia: Completing Gaudi’s vision

When visionary architect Antoni Gaudi died unexpectedly in 1926, his followers were left with incredible plaster of Paris models showing how to complete his famous church, La Sagrada Familia.

The only…

Published on 1 year, 6 months ago

The expulsion of the Sudeten Germans

At the end of World War Two, the Czechoslovak government expelled up to three million German speakers, known as the Sudeten Germans.

They were accused of being loyal to Nazi Germany and collaborating…

Published on 1 year, 6 months ago

Kawarau Bridge: The first bungee jumping site in New Zealand

On 12 November 1988, the world’s first commercial bungee jumping site was opened near Queenstown, New Zealand.

AJ Hackett and Henry Van Asch started out bungee jumping as a hobby with friends. They d…

Published on 1 year, 6 months ago

The first mega cruise ship

On 16 January 1988, the world’s largest passenger ship, Sovereign of the Seas, set sail on her maiden voyage around the Caribbean.

She carried more than 2,600 passengers and had five restaurants, nine…

Published on 1 year, 6 months ago

The beginning of Benidorm

In the 1950s, the transformation of the sleepy little town of Benidorm began when Pedro Zaragoza was appointed mayor. He started by getting pipes built to allow running water, then went on to pass…

Published on 1 year, 6 months ago

How Cancún became a tourist destination

In 1969, Antonio Enríquez Savignac was given the go-ahead to transform a secluded Mexican island into a world-beating tourist destination.

The technocrat believed tourism was a cost effective solution…

Published on 1 year, 6 months ago

The first budget transatlantic flights

In 1955, a small Icelandic airline, Loftleioir Icelandic, slashed the cost of flying across the Atlantic.

For the first time, thousands of young Americans were able to afford air travel to Europe on w…

Published on 1 year, 6 months ago

Orelhão: Brazil's iconic egg-shaped telephone booth

In 1971, an architect called Chu Ming Silveira created Brazil's iconic egg-shaped telephone booth, Orelhão.

More than 50,000 of the booths were installed across Brazil and the design was so successfu…

Published on 1 year, 6 months ago