During World War Two, British intelligence received reports of a secret German rocket program. The British bombed Germany's rocket factory, thinking they had succeeded, but they were wrong. The podcast explores the history of rocket development in Germany, the debate surrounding rocket bombs, and the failure of the British bombing raid. It raises questions about Germany's pursuit of the rocket program despite economic logic.

Explore the events leading up to the tragic collision between two planes at Tenerife Airport caused by miscommunication and foggy conditions.

Martin Luther King Jr and Gerald Ratner offer a striking contrast in public speaking. King's powerful and carefully chosen words shaped history, while Ratner's mocking speech led to the downfall of his jewelry empire. This podcast explores the impact and consequences of public speaking with anecdotes from these two figures.

The podcast discusses the disastrous course of the Torrey Canyon ship and the influence of inertia on decision-making. It explores the concepts of 'get theiritis' and plan continuation bias, emphasizing the importance of recognizing and overcoming inertia to avoid potential dangers. The podcast also highlights the dangers of tunnel vision and the need to be open to new ideas. It tells the suspenseful story of Captain Ruggiati navigating his ship through multiple obstacles.

In this crossover episode, Tim Harford and Dr. Laurie Santos delve into the curious experiment of Stalin killing the weekend in Soviet Union. They discuss the challenges and lessons from the Niprivka workweek system, the impact of synchronized holidays on happiness, and the aftermath of attempting to change the week structure in Nebraska.

The podcast discusses the story of the Radium Girls who were poisoned by radium and fought for justice against their powerful bosses. It explores their initial symptoms, legal challenges, and the collective fight for accountability. It also highlights the transformative power of artificial intelligence and the importance of trust in technology.

In this podcast, they discuss a horrifying radiation accident in Goiânia, Brazil caused by a curious, glowing substance. The episode explores the tragic consequences of the accident, the dangerous working conditions at Radium Dial Studio in 1922, and the fight for justice and compensation for those affected.

Comedians Dave Anthony and Gareth Reynolds join Tim Harford on a cautionary conversation about George Washington's medical treatments, from lamb's blood to a collar of beetles. They also discuss the chaos of car integration in the early 20th century, including accidents and lack of infrastructure. Listen to their entertaining and informative discussion on history and absurdity.

The podcast explores the importance of preserving historical records and the potential consequences of their erasure. It discusses the Battle of Hastings and the Doomsday Book, the creation and downfall of the BBC Doomsday Project, the destruction of landing cards for Caribbean immigrants in the UK, the struggle for documentary evidence, the challenges of preserving data from outdated systems, and the vulnerability of digital archives.

Jane Marie, host of The Dream, discusses the downsides of coaching and positive thinking. Dr. Sherman James and Dr. Arline Geronimus explore the negative impacts of striving. The podcast delves into the American Dream, multi-level marketing, and health inequity.