Podcast Episodes

Governing Outer Space

Episode 1269

On 10th October, 1967 a treaty went into force that has gone on to become the backbone for all international space law – a United Nations-approved agreement known as the The Treaty on Principles Gove…

Published on 4 weeks ago

When Sumo Came To London

Episode 1268

The Royal Albert Hall was the unlikely venue for the biggest Sumo wrestling tournament ever staged outside of Japan on 9th October, 1991. Around forty wrestlers, described in the press as “bouncing l…

Published on 4 weeks, 1 day ago

The Permanent Wave

Episode 1267

Hairdressers descended upon Oxford Street on October 8th, 1906 to witness Karl Nessler’s first public demonstration of his pioneering new ‘perm’ - a style which didn’t have its heyday until some eigh…

Published on 4 weeks, 2 days ago

TV's Greatest Salesman

Episode 1266

Ron Popeil, inventor of The Pocket Fisherman, the Amazing Smokeless Ashtray, and the Inside-The-Shell Egg Scrambler, was (satirically) awarded an Ignoble Award for Consumer Engineering on 7th Novemb…

Published on 1 month ago

America’s 1st Train Robbery 🚂💰

Episode 1265

The Reno Brothers pulled off the first moving train robbery in U.S. history in Jackson County, Indiana, on 6th October, 1866.

Overpowering the guard, the gang made off with a significant haul of gol…

Published on 1 month ago

When Sinéad Shocked America

Episode 1263

Irish popstar Sinéad O’Connor tore up a photo of Pope John Paul II during her performance of Bob Marley’s ‘War’ on NBC’s TV show ‘Saturday Night Live’ on 3rd October, 1992. The unexpected act was met…

Published on 1 month ago

Meet Charlie Brown

Episode 1262

Happy 75th birthday, ‘Peanuts’! Charles Shulz’ iconic comic strip made its debut (although Snoopy had yet to appear) on 2nd October, 1950. 

Peanuts would grow into a global phenomenon, running in 2,6…

Published on 1 month ago

Postcards - The Poor Man's Telephone

Episode 1261

A 12 x 8.5cm ‘Correspondenzkarte’, the earliest progenitor of the modern-day postcard, was created by the Austrian Post on 1st October, 1869.

Cheaper and more practical than sending long-form letters…

Published on 1 month ago

The Shipwrecked Mr. Crusoe

Episode 1260

Literature’s most famous castaway, Robinson Crusoe, was washed up on a desert island - where he would remain for 28 years - on 30th September, 1659.

By selecting this date, author Daniel Defoe ensur…

Published on 1 month, 1 week ago

What Happened To Couto Misto?

Episode 1259

A tiny microstate nestled between Spain and Portugal, Couto Misto existed for centuries until its dissolution on 29th September, 1864. The final act of the Portuguese Restoration War, a treaty in Li…

Published on 1 month, 1 week ago