Stuff You Should Know Short Stuff: Great Smog of London
Mar 9, 2022
In December 1952, London was engulfed in a thick smog that left residents unable to see their feet. The chaos disrupted daily life and transportation, sparking humorous responses from the British. The episode dives into personal stories about the smog's impact on families and highlights grave public health consequences, linking the event to around 12,000 deaths. It also discusses the creation of the Clean Air Act in 1956, a pivotal step toward combating air pollution and promoting cleaner energy for the future.
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The Great Smog of London
- London experienced the "Great Smog" in December 1952.
- This severe smog combined fog and smoke, causing significant disruption and health issues.
Smog's Impact on Visibility and Transportation
- The smog was so thick that drivers abandoned their cars due to low visibility.
- Even indoor spaces like movie theaters were affected, and some bus services used police escorts.
Smog's Impact on Visibility and Safety
- People couldn't see their own feet in the dense smog.
- There were unconfirmed reports of people accidentally walking into the Thames and drowning.