Witness History

John Koza, a pioneering computer scientist and founder of Scientific Games, shares his groundbreaking journey of inventing the instant scratch card. He reveals how early promotional games had serious security flaws and how his innovative multi-pass printing technique created unique, secure tickets. Koza discusses his strategic pitches to state lotteries, the legal challenges faced, and the excitement of launching the first scratch cards in Massachusetts in 1974. His insights highlight how this invention transformed the lottery industry and became a cultural phenomenon.

In this compelling conversation, Svetlana Mojsov, a pioneering Yugoslav scientist, shares her groundbreaking discovery of the hormone GLP-1, crucial for insulin release and the management of diabetes. She recounts her journey from Macedonia to Massachusetts, influencing the development of life-changing weight-loss and diabetes treatments. Svetlana also reflects on the initial challenges of gaining recognition for her work and the lasting impact her research has had on medicine today.

Cleon Roberts, daughter of Sonny Roberts, shares captivating insights about her father, a Jamaican carpenter who founded Planetone, the UK’s first black-owned music studio, in 1961. She recounts the struggles black musicians faced amidst racial hostility and how Planetone became a musical haven for the Caribbean community. Cleon also highlights Sonny's production of early Afrobeat with The Nkengas and the unexpected chart success of Judy Boucher's hit. Their stories reveal the profound impact Sonny had on shaping black British music.

Wanjira Maathai, an environmentalist and daughter of the legendary Wangari Maathai, shares powerful stories from her mother's life. She reflects on Wangari's childhood love for nature and her groundbreaking work in founding the Green Belt Movement, which empowered women and led to the planting of over 30 million trees. Discover the fierce campaigns to protect Karura Forest and the expansion of their activism into human rights. Wanjira also discusses her mother’s historic Nobel Peace Prize win and the enduring impact of her legacy.

Joseph McCorry, a former Merchant Navy utility hand, shares a gripping firsthand account of the 1958 bombing of the British oil tanker SS San Flaviano in Balikpapan, Indonesia. He recounts being ordered to paint Union Jacks on deck to deter local unrest, the chaos during the attack, and the scramble to evacuate as a bomb struck the ship. Megan Jones investigates CIA involvement and unearths declassified documents, revealing the covert support for rebels. McCorry also reflects on how that fateful day shaped his life and career.

Sophia Jansson, Tove Jansson's niece, shares enchanting memories of her aunt, the beloved creator of the Moomins. She discusses how Tove's nature-inspired art and childhood adventures in the Archipelago influenced the whimsical Moomin stories. Throughout the conversation, Sophia introduces iconic characters like Moomintroll and reveals Tove's frustrations with early TV adaptations. She also emphasizes Tove's wisdom about embracing curiosity and avoiding cynicism, offering a heartfelt glimpse into the world of the Moomins and their creator.

Helen Fielding, renowned author and journalist, shares the delightful backstory of Bridget Jones, the iconic character she created. She reveals how Bridget was born from a need for anonymity and comic exaggeration in her weekly column. The infamous blue soup anecdote showcases real-life inspirations behind Bridget’s quirky diary entries. Fielding discusses the character's evolution across books and films, highlighting why her relatable struggles still resonate with today’s audiences, including Gen Z.

In this captivating discussion, Alexander Daniel, son of Soviet writer Yuli Daniel, shares poignant memories of his father's arrest and trial alongside Andrei Sinyavsky in 1965. They explore the surprising public protests demanding justice, the chilling impact of political repression under Brezhnev, and the defiant spirit displayed in court. Alexander reveals the bond between the two writers during their harrowing experiences and reflects on the significance of preserving his father's prison poems, capturing a compelling chapter of dissent in Soviet history.

In 1961, the Argentine poet and short story writer Jorge Luis Borges won the Formentor Prize for literature.Borges’ stories were characterised by mind-bending plots often featuring labyrinths, dreams and fables.Following his recognition in 1961, his reputation grew to such an extent that he is regarded as one of the most influential Latin American writers in history, as Ben Henderson reveals using BBC archive.Eye-witness accounts brought to life by archive. Witness History is for those fascinated by the past. We take you to the events that have shaped our world through the eyes of the people who were there. For nine minutes every day, we take you back in time and all over the world, to examine wars, coups, scientific discoveries, cultural moments and much more. Recent episodes explore everything from the death of Adolf Hitler, the first spacewalk and the making of the movie Jaws, to celebrity tortoise Lonesome George, the Kobe earthquake and the invention of superglue. We look at the lives of some of the most famous leaders, artists, scientists and personalities in history, including: Eva Peron – Argentina’s Evita; President Ronald Reagan and his famous ‘tear down this wall’ speech; Thomas Keneally on why he wrote Schindler’s List; and Jacques Derrida, France’s ‘rock star’ philosopher. You can learn all about fascinating and surprising stories, such as the civil rights swimming protest; the disastrous D-Day rehearsal; and the death of one of the world’s oldest languages.(Photo: Jorge Luis Borges in 1977. Credit: Sophie Bassouls/Sygma via Getty Images)

Anneli Høier, former literary agent for Henning Mankell, delves into the impactful rise of Nordic Noir, centered around the Wallander series. She shares how the gripping themes of social critique and xenophobia in 'Faceless Killers' resonated globally. Høier contrasts Wallander’s relatable flaws with traditional detectives, highlighting his human appeal. She also discusses Mankell's struggles in exporting Scandinavian literature and his influential humanitarian work, painting a picture of a revolutionary figure in crime fiction.