Jack P Taylor's Political and Historical Curiosities

Latest Episodes:

41. The BBC Advisory Committee on Spoken English Jul 24, 2017

Show notes

BBC English: the BBC Advisory Committee on Spoken English, its history, and its effect on the English language today.

The BBC Advisory Committee on Spoken English lasted only around fifteen years before World War 2, yet its effects can still be felt today.

In this episode I'll talk you through the committee's history and it effects us today.

Apologies again for the 24 hour delay on releasing this weeks episode. As advance warning I will be on holiday for the first two weeks of August so there will likely be no podcasts on the 6th or 13th - unless you pay $1million mwahaha

40. The raising of Chicago & the reversal of the Chicago River Jul 16, 2017

Show notes

In the early 19th Century Chicago barely existed, by the the late 1840s it was growing rapidly.

With no sewage system it had numerous issues with disease, and being level with Lake Michigan there was no way to build a traditional sewer system.

The solution was to raise Chicago up to fourteen feet in places, and then later to reverse the Chicago river.

This episode covers all this and more!

Before and after image for Chicago River reversal: https://chicagoriverstories.files.wordpress.com/2016/03/canal_image.jpg?w=640

39. Disaster Victim Identification Jul 09, 2017

Show notes

Victim identification is an incredibly important part of resolving a disaster. For families, and loves ones it can be difficult to gain closure without their loved ones remains. Similarly those charged with resolving disasters can struggle to know where to place resources e.g. counselling if they do not know who has perished.

As with any process which humans have needed since well day one, like farming, we have refined it.

This episode covers a history of Disaster Victim Identification including major developments.

Link to the INTERPOL guide: https://www.interpol.int/Media/Files/INTERPOL-Expertise/DVI/DVI-Guide-new-version-2013

38. Submarine Communication Cables - from the Telegraph to the Internet Jul 03, 2017

Show notes

Submarine cables account for over 99% of international internet traffic. You will use them everyday on the latest pieces of technology. Yet this infrastructure is based on old knowledge. In this episode I'll take you through 170 years of submarine cables helping us to communicate. Link to Stuff You Missed in History Class episode on Transatlantic Telegraph Cable: http://www.missedinhistory.com/podcasts/transatlantic-telegraph.htm

36. Le Tour de France Jun 25, 2017

Show notes

Le Tour de France started in 1903 and since then it's history has become dominated by war, politics, drugs, and most importantly amazing feats of physical prowess.

I'll cover the first 110 years of its history and I hope you enjoy.

If you curious how the French Cycling Federation's name is actually said in French: Union Velocipedique France

35. Presidential Libraries Jun 18, 2017

Show notes

A tale with an intro by Hayes, a story by FDR, and a possible conclusion under Obama.

The Presidential Library is a fascinating concept.

In this episode I explore how they started, how they've developed, and how they may be changing drastically with Obama.

The link to the Politico article "Presidential Libraries Are A Scam. Could Obama Change That?" May be found here: http://archive.is/r6wjR

34. The Victoria Cross medal and Charles Upham Jun 11, 2017

Show notes

In this 3rd episode of three recorded partly during my bike ride I fill you in on the Victoria Cross medal's history, and the story of Charles Upham - the most highly decorated Commonwealth soldier of World War 2.

The link to donate to the National Autistic Society if you're feeling generous is here: uk.virginmoneygiving.com/jackptaylor

33. Albertopolis: the town that Prince Albert built Jun 11, 2017

Show notes

In this 2nd episode of three recorded partly during my bike ride I fill you in on Albertopolis the area of the London built with the profits from the Great Exhibition of 1851 by Prince Albert.

The link to donate to the National Autistic Society if you're feeling generous is here: uk.virginmoneygiving.com/jackptaylor

32. Highgate Cemetery: its history and its famous occupants. Jun 11, 2017

Show notes

In this 1st episode of three recorded partly during my bike ride I fill you in on Highgate Cemetery's history and its famous occupants.

The link to donate to the National Autistic Society if you're feeling generous is here: uk.virginmoneygiving.com/jackptaylor

31. Briefing - UK General Election - the first and last constituencies to declare Jun 08, 2017

Show notes

The title says it all really so I don't what you are looking here for. Go away.

Oh you wan't that link to when each constituency should roughly be declared.

Here you go: https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/jun/08/what-time-does-each-constituency-declare-its-results-in-the-2017-general-election

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