Witness History

Lou Nelson, a former security officer and later a police officer and firefighter, shares his firsthand experiences from the American Freedom Train, an epic journey that showcased over 500 priceless artifacts across the U.S. He vividly recounts the excitement of launch day and the special atmosphere while taking history on the road. From community enthusiasm to celebrity endorsements, Nelson highlights the train's role in restoring national pride in the wake of the 1960s unrest. He even reminisces about breaking photography rules to capture this historical experience!

On 31 December 1999, a piece of music started playing in a lighthouse on the River Thames in east London. It’s called Longplayer, and it’s set to keep going, without repeating, until the year 2999. It was created by Jem Finer from The Pogues, using 234 Tibetan singing bowls. Megan Jones meets Jem to find out why he wanted to create a one thousand year long musical composition.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: The Longplayer listening post at Trinity Buoy Wharf, London. Credit: BBC)

Seventy-five years ago, Radio Free Europe started broadcasting news to audiences behind the Iron Curtain.It initially broadcast to Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Poland and Romania and programmes were produced in Munich, Germany. It now reaches nearly 50 million people a week, in 27 languages in 23 countries. Rachel Naylor speaks to former deputy director, Arch Puddington. 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: An engineer at Radio Free Europe in 1960. Credit: Bettmann)

Friedhelm 'Fred' Hillebrand, a pioneering telecommunications engineer from Deutsche Telekom, reveals how he conceived the SMS in 1984 despite skepticism over its 160-character limit. He shares the story of his initial experiments and how teenage adoption sparked a global texting revolution. Fred discusses the significance of SMS in shaping modern communication and comments on its legacy as the precursor to messaging apps like WhatsApp. His insights reflect the journey from a doubted concept to a transformative cultural phenomenon.

Benjamin Teuber, son of the late Klaus Teuber, shares captivating insights into the creation of Catan, the game that revolutionized board gaming. He recalls his father's humble beginnings hand-painting prototypes while balancing a dental career. The family’s playful game-testing rituals helped refine an intricate design into a beloved classic. Despite initial rejection from publishers, Klaus's persistence led to explosive success at the 1995 Nuremberg Toy Fair. Now, Benjamin and his brother guide the Catan legacy, honoring their father's vision and global impact.

The Tamagotchi was first released in Japan in 1996 after it was developed by Akihiro Yokoi and his colleagues at his toy development company.Measuring just a few centimetres long, the egg-shaped digital gadget was home to a series of pixelated alien pets.Owners had to feed, clean and play with their pets by pressing three tiny buttons. Looking after your Tamagotchi and seeing them evolve was thrilling for many children and its popularity quickly spread from Japan across the world.Almost 100 million Tamagotchis have been sold in more than 50 countries. Akihiro Yokoi tells Emily Uchida Finch how the hit toy was born, and the impact its prevalence has had on his life and career. A Whistledown production.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: Tamagotchi. Credit: Yves Forestier/Sygma via Getty Images)

Shane Chen, an inventive entrepreneur behind the Hover Tracks, shares his journey of creating a hoverboard-like motorized skateboard, inspired by his daughter's play at a trade show. He recounts the thrill of developing the prototype and raising funds through crowdfunding, but also highlights the challenges posed by cheap knock-offs that flooded the market, causing safety issues and tarnishing his brand's reputation. Despite limited profits, Shane expresses pride in his innovative contribution and reveals plans for a better version to restore consumer trust.

Peg Roberts, daughter of Kay Zufall, shares the fascinating journey of transforming an ordinary wallpaper-cleaning putty into the beloved children's toy, Play-Doh. She recounts how her inventive mother noticed her children's enjoyment in crafting with the putty, prompting a dramatic shift in marketing strategy. From convincing her brother-in-law to pivot the business to coining the catchy name and even the fragrance, Peg reveals the behind-the-scenes magic. Play-Doh's explosive popularity and rich legacy are examined, sparking nostalgia and delight.

Delve into the fascinating origin story of Jenga, a game born from family fun in Ghana. Discover how Leslie Scott's childhood experiences inspired the stacked block phenomenon. Hear about her tense negotiations with toy companies and the financial risks she took to make Jenga a reality. Uncover the key moment that led to its breakout success in North America and the clever marketing that followed. With nearly 100 million sales and a place in the National Toy Hall of Fame, Jenga's legacy continues to thrive.

Discover the fascinating origins of the first opera composed for television, Amahl and the Night Visitors. Gian Carlo Menotti faced writer's block and found inspiration from a stunning art piece. The live premiere on Christmas Eve in 1951 became a beloved holiday tradition. Hear about the challenges of staging opera for cameras and the overwhelming public reaction that followed. Dive into Menotti's reflections on the impact of media and watch how a simple story captured the hearts of millions.