Stories of the legendary Hanging Gardens of Babylon beguile generations of listeners. An Indian emperor builds paradise on Earth in memory of his beloved wife. In medieval England, gardening brings an inquisitive monk closer to God. And growing

Coffee

13 days ago 32m 25s

A herder in 9th century Ethiopia discovers a stimulating plant, after observing his goats behaving strangely. The pope weighs in on whether a bitter new beverage really was invented by Satan. A stall selling hot drinks takes 1650s London by sto

Forks

20 days ago 32m 20s

In medieval Italy, a woman’s death is blamed on the two-pronged utensils she uses at her wedding banquet. In 17th century France, a fed-up cardinal issues a decree to tackle bad table manners. British colonial taxes lead Americans to invent a u

Dish Washing

27 days ago 31m 19s

A high stakes summit between Henry VIII and his French counterpart leaves behind a mountain of dirty dishes. The decline of wood burning in homes changes how we clean crockery. An inventor of weapons turns his hand to more domestic pursuits. An

Lights

Apr 15th, 2024 34m 55s

In the hills of northern Spain, lamps help an anthropologist and his young daughter make an incredible discovery. Rushlights illuminate the early modern period. A French king seeks a new mistress in the dazzlingly lit Palace of Versailles. And

Baths

Apr 8th, 2024 35m 42s

A murderous emperor builds the grandest bath complex ever seen in Ancient Rome. The arrival of a new disease spells trouble for the bathhouses of Tudor London. An excitable Victorian clergyman extolls the virtues of skinny dipping. And World Wa

The Fridge

Apr 1st, 2024 32m 20s

In Ancient Persia, ingenious ice houses refrigerate food in one of the hottest deserts on earth. Bronze Age sites on Orkney reveal the secrets of early cold storage systems. A well-known sea captain becomes the face of a global frozen food bran

Wallpaper

Mar 26th, 2024 33m

A wasp leads to the invention of paper in ancient China. Rich Europeans have to find another way to decorate their walls when coal fires ruin their valuable tapestries. Anger over wallpaper helps ignite the French Revolution. And a silent kille

Trailer

The Curious History of Your Home - Trailer

Jan 8th, 2024 1m

Join domestic historian Ruth Goodman as she guides you through the surprising, often epic stories behind everyday objects in your home. Double glazed windows? We owe those to a French king’s odd fascination with oranges. The minty fresh toothpa