Harry Houdini is undoubtedly the best-known escape artist of all time. Even today, almost 100 years after his death, his celebrity lives on, and his incredible tricks, illusions and escapes have become the stuff of legend. But how did Houdini, a Hungarian immigrant, lift himself out of abject poverty to become a vastly wealthy celebrity? And why did he risk his life again and again, for over 30 years? This is a Short History Of…Harry Houdini. A Noiser production, written by Sean Coleman. Learn m...
Jul 30, 2024•50 min•Transcript available on Metacast For nearly 12 centuries, the Ancient Greeks honoured their gods with one of the most famous sporting contests in the world: The Olympic Games. Athletes represented their city states to compete for the glory of the gods, knowing that winning or losing could change the course of their lives. From dangerous martial arts and the perilous chariot race, to sprints and the pentathlon, the Games showcased strength, skill, and stamina. But why did the Olympic Games first begin? What did the earliest comp...
Jul 28, 2024•58 min•Ep 144•Transcript available on Metacast The Beatles - made up of Paul McCartney, John Lennon, Ringo Starr, and George Harrison - were the biggest band the world has ever seen. Recording together for just over seven years, setting unprecedented sales, and revolutionising songwriting, theirs was a stardom that burned brightly, but quickly. So who were the four ordinary Liverpudlian teenagers before they created a band that would change the music industry forever? How did their music, and fame, affect them? And what caused ‘Beatlemania’ ...
Jul 21, 2024•1 hr•Ep 143•Transcript available on Metacast Mozart occupies a unique place in the history of culture, as his output of over 600 works defined the course of classical music, and remade the face of opera. Mozart’s compositions are staples of our cultural landscape, and his is a name which still, centuries later, sells out concert halls around the world. But how did the tear-away son of a middling family make it to the top? What impact did his commitment to his art have on his health? And what is the truth about his final days? This is a Sho...
Jul 14, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Ep 142•Transcript available on Metacast Over 32 years of exploration, Dr David Livingstone made a name for himself as a renowned adventurer, doctor, and Christian missionary. He travelled more than 30,000 miles, and contended with disease, heartbreak, and brutal conflict on the way. His experiences also turned him into a fierce opponent of the slave trade. But despite his celebrated status, Livingstone is a flawed hero. So how did he fight his way out of poverty to become one of the world’s most famous explorers? Why, over 200 years a...
Jul 07, 2024•1 hr 2 min•Ep 141•Transcript available on Metacast Princess Diana was one of the most influential figures of the 20th century. Not only was she married to the future King of England, she was also a fashion icon, a humanitarian, a devoted mother, and a role model for millions. However, her life was far from the fairytale she’d envisioned, and was instead marred by heartbreak and tragedy. So how did a young, shy girl cope with such massive fame? Why did her marriage to Prince Charles break down so spectacularly? And how should we remember the ‘Peo...
Jun 30, 2024•1 hr 2 min•Ep 140•Transcript available on Metacast For a little over 200 years, the First Persian Empire ruled over a vast expanse across three continents, making it arguably the world’s first great superpower. At its peak, it stretched from its base in Persia - roughly analogous to modern-day Iran, all the way to India in the East, incorporating swathes of Central Asia, Egypt, Libya and Iraq. It also conquered ancient powers such as Pharaonic Egypt, and the Neo-Babylonian Empire. Altogether, it ruled an area that now comprises some twenty natio...
Jun 23, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Ep 139•Transcript available on Metacast The top-secret Dambusters mission was one so crucial that British intelligence hoped it would hasten a triumph over Nazi Germany. But it was also highly dangerous, and required the 133 pilots to fly at high speed and exceptionally low altitudes, all in the dead of night. With only one bomb per plane, they had one shot at changing the course of the war. So why did Britain feel the time was right to bomb Germany in such an audacious way? How effective was this campaign in bringing the war to a clo...
Jun 16, 2024•1 hr 3 min•Ep 138•Transcript available on Metacast Known as the ‘Crown of the Palace’, the Taj Mahal has become a global icon that’s visited by millions of people each year. Although it’s widely regarded as a masterpiece in architecture, design, and craft, its origin story is one of tragic love. So who was the man who had the Taj Mahal built, and what of the woman he created it for? What was its fate under the rule of the British? And how did it grow to become a symbol of Indian nationhood in the twentieth century and beyond? This is a Short His...
Jun 09, 2024•1 hr 3 min•Ep 137•Transcript available on Metacast This is a taster episode of a brand-new podcast from the Noiser network. Host Paul McGann follows the real people involved in the D-Day landings. It’s 1944 and Europe is in the grip of the Nazi war machine. But on the shores of Great Britain, thousands of men and women are planning the great fightback. What will it take to turn the tide of World War 2? Search ‘D-Day: The Tide Turns’ in your podcast app and hit follow to get new episodes each Thursday. Or listen at noiser.com Episode 2 is live no...
Jun 05, 2024•54 min•Transcript available on Metacast Designed to be a shrine of democracy, Mount Rushmore was one of the most ambitious building projects of the 20th century, and is still visited by millions of tourists each year. But for many, its history is complicated. Carved into a site believed to be sacred for the Lakota Sioux tribe, the monument serves as a bitter reminder of the injustices and crimes committed against the Native American people. So how did this remote, hallowed spot come to be transformed into a monument intended to last a...
Jun 02, 2024•1 hr•Ep 136•Transcript available on Metacast A pivotal figure in the American civil rights movement, Martin Luther King Jr played a crucial role in challenging racial discrimination in the United States. Believed to have been one of America’s greatest ever orators, his speeches inspired millions, and galvanised support for racial equality. But despite his successes, his message of egalitarianism and advocacy of nonviolent protest was met by many with opposition and rage. So what set King on the path that would change the lives of millions?...
May 26, 2024•1 hr 8 min•Ep 135•Transcript available on Metacast Raised in India, and trained in London as a lawyer, Mahatma Gandhi went on to lead a life that was anything but ordinary. He campaigned against unjust laws in South Africa, led the movement against British rule in India, and changed the entire nature of protest. His commitment to non-violence would inspire world leaders for generations. But how did a shy, unpromising schoolboy turn into one of the greatest leaders of the 20th century? Where did his ideals and approach to conflict come from? And ...
May 19, 2024•1 hr 4 min•Ep 134•Transcript available on Metacast The Great Wall of China is one of the architectural wonders of the world. Stretching for over 21,000km - as far as London to New York and back, twice - it follows what used to be the border between China and Mongolia. Built over a period of 2,000 years by millions of conscripted workers, it’s been the subject of myths and legends for centuries. But who really built the Great Wall, and how? Is it true that those who died at the Wall were buried within it? What purpose did it serve? And can this i...
May 12, 2024•58 min•Ep 133•Transcript available on Metacast Modern genetics tells us that the residents of the far-flung Polynesian islands are one of the most closely related people in the world. But, thanks to the exploration of their ancestors, they’re also the most widely dispersed. Polynesian exploration of the Pacific has been compared to humankind’s missions into space, and has led to a unique and vibrant culture for these islanders. So what do these people scattered across 1,000 islands have in common? How did the earliest pioneers survive epic j...
May 05, 2024•54 min•Ep 132•Transcript available on Metacast Beginning only five years after the end of World War Two, the Korean War was an exceptionally violent conflict which led to the death of at least 2.5 million people. It became the most deadly conflict of the Cold War era, a political battle of capitalism versus communism, that almost triggered World War Three. But how was this war encouraged by American, Soviet, European, and Chinese ambitions? Was anything really achieved by the years of fighting? And what was the true aftermath of the conflict...
Apr 28, 2024•1 hr•Ep 149•Transcript available on Metacast Ian Fleming’s most famous creation, James Bond, is a cultural icon. To paraphrase one critic, Bond is someone men want to be, and women want to be with. Although many attitudes expressed in the Bond books are out of kilter with modern ideas, Bond remains one of the most enduring fictional characters in history. But what is the story behind his creator - Ian Fleming? What inspired Fleming to write the ultimate spy novels? Did his success bring happiness? And how much of his own character did he l...
Apr 21, 2024•1 hr 2 min•Ep 148•Transcript available on Metacast Noiser presents a brand new podcast: The Curious History of Your Home. In this taster episode of Noiser’s new podcast, join domestic historian Ruth Goodman as she guides you through the surprising, often epic stories behind everyday objects in your home, starting with the wallpaper. To discover more episodes, search ‘The Curious History of Your Home’ wherever you get your podcasts or follow the link https://podfollow.com/the-curious-history-of-your-home. New episodes every Tuesday. Short History...
Apr 14, 2024•34 min•Ep 147•Transcript available on Metacast Since the arrival of the Aztecs in central Mexico from the early 1300s, history has been fascinated by them. They’re widely reputed to be a savage people who left behind obsidian knives, skull racks, and disturbing remnants of human sacrifice. But in reality, the Aztecs were far more multifaceted than that. So what else has history gotten wrong about the Aztecs? Why were they so feared and reviled? How did they become so powerful? And what is the full truth about their downfall? This is a Short ...
Apr 07, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Ep 146•Transcript available on Metacast The Battle of the Somme was supposed to be the joint British-French offensive that would win the First World War. A string of battles spread over five months, it involved everything from cavalry charges, poison gas, and the debut of the tank. But the Somme was anything but victorious….on the first day alone, over 19,000 British soldiers were killed and more than 57,000 wounded, making it the single bloodiest day in British military history. So what was the Allied war plan, and how did it fail so...
Mar 31, 2024•57 min•Ep 145•Transcript available on Metacast The founding of the United States on July 4th, 1776, changed the world, and inspired other colonies to control their own destinies. The men responsible for writing and signing the Declaration of Independence - the Founding Fathers - have gone down in history as legends, with an almost ‘God-like status’. But nearly 250 years on, their legacy is challenged and debated. So who were the founding fathers? How did their talents, ideas and flaws shape their nation? And how do the choices they made in t...
Mar 25, 2024•1 hr 2 min•Ep 144•Transcript available on Metacast Eleanor Roosevelt was a woman who redefined the role of the First Lady of the United States. By refusing to be merely a passive companion and wife, and choosing instead to pursue a life of activism, she was seen as an equal to her powerful husband. But what made Eleanor Roosevelt - a woman who was born an aristocrat - fight so hard for the underdog? How did she balance her commitment to social justice with family life? And what was the truth about her unconventional marriage to one of America’s ...
Mar 18, 2024•1 hr 2 min•Ep 143•Transcript available on Metacast Though St Patrick is honoured by millions of revellers worldwide every year, few know more about him than the popular myths concerning shamrocks and snakes. The real story of St Patrick reads like an adventure story, involving kidnapping, enslavement, and daring escapes. But how did his commitment to spreading the word of God lead him to become the embodiment of all things Irish? This is A Short History Of… St Patrick. A Noiser production, written by Dan Smith. With thanks to Philip Freeman, Pro...
Mar 17, 2024•55 min•Transcript available on Metacast Throughout the late 17th and early 18th Century, the waters of the Caribbean were crawling with pirates. Stories about swash-buckling buccaneers, and insatiable treasure-seekers haunted the tropical islands, as navies tried in vain to put a stop to their reign of terror. But who were some of the world’s most notorious pirates? How much of what we think we know about them is real, and how much is legend? What was life like on board a pirate ship? And how were these fearsome bandits caught and bro...
Mar 11, 2024•1 hr•Ep 142•Transcript available on Metacast It’s simple enough to pinpoint the beginnings of the French Revolution in 1789, but far more difficult to mark its end. Following the initial outbreak of revolution, France was plunged into years of political, social and economic instability, as various new governments sought to replace the ancient monarchy. But how did the relationship between the king and his people deteriorate so badly? Who were the figures that ruled after him? And what was the lasting impact of those dark years at the end o...
Mar 06, 2024•55 min•Ep 141•Transcript available on Metacast During the late 18th Century, a series of political, social, cultural, and economic issues reached breaking point, exploding in what is now known as the French Revolution. This unprecedented event affected not just France, but the rest of the world - reinventing centuries-old approaches to society, and introducing Europe to brand new ideas of liberty, equality, and fraternity. But how did France reach the tipping point that triggered the Revolution? Is it the most important event in Western hist...
Mar 04, 2024•55 min•Ep 140•Transcript available on Metacast Snaking across 4,000 miles and 11 African countries, the River Nile is perhaps the most famous river on planet earth. The 80 billion gallons of water that flow through its banks each day give life to countless animals and ecosystems - from crocodiles and hippos, to rare species of fish, plants, and people. But who has tried to harness the power of this river, and why have so many failed? What cultures have grown from the Nile’s waters? And why are emperors, prophets, writers, Kings and Queens, d...
Feb 26, 2024•55 min•Ep 139•Transcript available on Metacast During the years 1760 to 1830, British industry exploded. Thanks to advances in machinery, and forward-thinking inventions, the country shifted from a predominantly agricultural nation, to a modern state. This movement has become known as the Industrial Revolution. But why did these changes take place in Britain and not somewhere else? What were its impacts at the time, and how has it come to shape the modern world? And, are we indeed still living through it? This is a Short History Of the Indus...
Feb 19, 2024•58 min•Ep 138•Transcript available on Metacast Remembered in popular culture as the ultimate type of assassin, the Ninja were ancient masters of secrecy, operating for just 200 years in central Japan. Legends tell of them walking on water, controlling the weather, and even turning invisible. But what is the true story of the Ninja? How did this form of espionage originate? And how did Ninjas move from the shadows of folklore to the spotlight of modern culture? This is a Short History Of The Ninja. Written by Jo Furniss. With thanks to John M...
Feb 12, 2024•51 min•Ep 137•Transcript available on Metacast Michelangelo was one of the greatest artists of his time, with works such as the Sistine Chapel and his sculpture of David, earning him an enduring place in history. Amid the complex Italian politics of his time, Michelangelo navigated powerful dynasties, religious upheavals, and professional rivalries to ensure art was always the centre of his life. But what drove him to keep producing outrageously brilliant work? How did his relationship with superstar contemporaries like da Vinci and Raphael ...
Feb 05, 2024•58 min•Ep 135•Transcript available on Metacast 
