99% Invisible Mini-Stories: Volume 8
Jan 7, 2020
Join Joe Rosenberg, a producer, as he reveals the astonishing tale of Britain's historical war bonds that take nearly a century to settle. Sean Real, a composer, dives into the riveting evolution of concert pitch and its international ramifications. Katie Mingle, a senior producer, shares the mystery of an abandoned Argentine diplomatic mansion in D.C. Finally, Delaney Hall takes us back to the Manhattan Project, highlighting a baby boom amidst top-secret projects. From finance to forgotten properties, these stories explore the quirky side of our built world.
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Centuries-Old Bonds
- Britain announced paying off WWI bonds after 100 years.
- Older bonds included those from the Crimean War, Irish potato famine, and even the South Sea Bubble.
History of Perpetual Bonds
- Perpetual bonds never mature, offering interest indefinitely.
- Early forms of borrowing resembled renting money, with ongoing payments.
Yale's Ancient Bond
- Yale University owns a Dutch water board perpetual bond from 1648, still paying interest today.
- The bond funded a pier to prevent river meandering, showcasing a tangible link to history.