Historical Objects & The Stories They Tell Us

What’s Your Map accompanies an extraordinary map collection, and highlights a different map with a personal connection to the guest and the incredible stories they have to share.

In this episode, we discover an early map of the Northern Polar Regions from the 16th century that illustrates the curiosity and bravery of these polar expeditions, their attempts to chart the unknown, and questions our very definition of a map! You can view the map as you listen.

When was the last time you thought about the humble zipper?

This episode delves into the invention and adoption of the zipper, starting with why the Amish shun this seemingly harmless machine.

Ruth Goodman's narration of this show brings you right to the places she describes — from an archaeological dig in Siberia, to Dalton, Georgia.

On the way, you discover what makes carpets an essential part of a home, and also an important cultural symbol.

The History of the World in 100 Objects is a brilliant way to access the collections of the British Museum — and in this case, a Sudanese slit drum.

This fascinating episode takes us back to the tragedy of British colonial violence in Sudan, through the history of an artifact that made its way to the court of Queen Victoria.

This episode of Not Just the Tudors explores a very British history of an object popular around the world — fireworks.

Concentrating on the years from 1487 to the Gunpowder Plot of 1605, this episode examines the popularity of firework spectacles, and how the British came to establish an annual firework tradition that endures to this day.