On 16 September 1890, inventor Louis Le Prince boarded a train to Paris and vanished without a trace. In his book The Man Who Invented Motion Pictures, Paul Fischer explores his life and disappearance. Speaking to Ellie Cawthorne, he delves into the many theories about what may have happened Le Prince – from an accident or mugging, to murder by his rival Tho ... Show More
Yesterday
Preview: Was Jack the Ripper Queen Victoria's grandson?
As recent years attest, royal scandals have a habit of coming to light. But what if the mother of all royal scandals is still waiting to be revealed? Could it be that an heir to the British throne, Prince Albert Victor, lived a double life as a serial killer? Today on the History ... Show More
13m 43s
Aug 13
How opium became a powerful global commodity
Opium has been a painkiller, a vice and the fuel for at least two wars. But what makes it such a powerful global commodity? Benjamin Robert Siegel takes Isabel King through this complex history, exploring how opium shaped capitalism, medicine and global power from ancient poppy f ... Show More
44m 1s
Aug 11
A wild history of partying
For hundreds of years, people have gathered after dark to drink, dance and escape the pressures of everyday life. But how did 'going out' become a habit across the world? Jon Bauckham chats to Imogen Willetts about the hedonistic history of partying, journeying from 17th-century ... Show More
40m 9s
Dec 2022
278: France: The Mystery of Le Prince
In today's episode, Tom and Dominic explore the origins of the motion-picture camera, a device invented by "gentle giant" Louis Le Prince, who's œuvre spanned from working with pots and pans to photographing Queen Victoria or Gladstone. This history features mysterious disappeara ... Show More
27m 50s
Oct 2023
The UNSOLVED Disappearance of the Man Who Invented Diesel
Douglas Brunt, author of The Mysterious Case of Rudolf Diesel: Genius, Power, and Deception on the Eve of World War I, joins us to discuss the titular subject of his newest book, an often overlooked but seminal figure in American history who changed the course of history with his ... Show More
29m 53s
May 2024
Victor Grayson: The Scandalous Mystery of the Missing Politician
Uncover the enigma of Victor Grayson, the politician who vanished without a trace. Was it scandal, conspiracy, or something more sinister? Dive into history's unsolved political mystery! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
1h 26m