Today In History with The Retrospectors

Dive into the fascinating journey of the DeLorean DMC-12, a car marketed as a luxury icon but plagued by performance woes. Discover how John DeLorean's ambition led him from the spotlight to a $24 million cocaine conspiracy. Learn about the misguided production efforts in Northern Ireland, where untrained workers and corporate deception reign supreme. The DeLorean's unexpected fame in 'Back to the Future' almost took a different route with a Mustang, adding a quirky twist to this automotive saga.

In a jaw-dropping concert moment in 1982, a rock star famously bit the head off a bat, sparking chaos and laughter among fans. This wasn't his first outrageous stunt; he had previously bitten the head off a dove at a press launch. The podcast dives into the clever marketing behind these shocking antics, driven by his ingenious wife. They also discuss how an infamous chicken incident at another iconic concert reshaped rules for live performances, leaving a lasting impact on the rock scene.

We all know you’re here because you - like us, are a bona fide history nerd, so here's a little something from the producers of this podcast; a brand new series of Conflict Of Interest with the Imperial War Museum. We think you're going to love itHow have artists, filmmakers and photographers shaped our understanding of wars and conflict? Journalist and writer Helen Lewis explores the recently-opened Blavatnik Art, Film and Photography Galleries at Imperial War Museum, London.From No Man's Land to mushroom clouds, Helen discovers the people that have interpreted over a hundred years of conflict, in this specially-curated tour by James Bulgin, Head of Public History at IWM.They are joined by Suzanne Plunkett, Reuters' Chief Photographer for the UK and Ireland, and a photojournalist for almost 30 years - and someone who can give us a first hand account of what it’s like to be capturing a seismic event in the moment.Objects Discussed:Paul Nash, The Menin Road, 1919John Armstrong, Pro Patria, 1938 War Pictorial News No. 21Mushroom Cloud over Nagasaki, 1945Suzanne Plunkett, People Covered in Dust and Debris New York, 11 September 2001 - © AP (IWM DC 123993)© AP (IWM DC 124023)Narrator:  James Taylor. Producer: Matt Hill at Rethink Audio, with support from Eleanor Head, Daniel BenChorin, and the IWM Institute team at Imperial War Museums Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The rocky debut of Richard Sheridan's 'The Rivals' is a tale of initial disaster followed by swift improvisation. Critics panned it, and even the audience threw fruit! After eleven days of rewrites, the play reopened to acclaim. Discover the significance of Mrs. Malaprop's malapropisms and how they transformed comedic writing. Dive into Sheridan's colorful life and his sharp wit that captivated audiences. This blend of chaos and humor illustrates theater's unpredictable charm.

Discover the fascinating life of Miguel de Cervantes, who, after a tumultuous career, became the author of the iconic 'Don Quixote' at 57. Explore how Cervantes' innovative writing changed literature forever and the surprising influence of a fake sequel that reignited interest in his characters. Dive into the novel’s humorous reception in Britain and how it still resonates today. The hosts even draw amusing parallels between Don Quixote and modern pop culture like Shrek, showcasing the timeless appeal of this literary masterpiece.

The podcast dives into the groundbreaking impact of a police procedural that transformed television in the 1980s. It discusses the show's chaotic storytelling and complex characters that challenged traditional formats. Despite initial low ratings and audience confusion, it carved a niche for intelligent drama. The hosts explore its cultural significance, writing innovations, and how it tackled moral dilemmas, paving the way for future series. Listeners also learn about personal connections to the show and its legacy in redefining TV storytelling.

On January 14, 1794, Dr. Jesse Bennett faced incredible odds as he performed a life-saving C-section on his wife in a log cabin. The episode dives into the moral dilemmas frontier doctors confronted and the societal stigma around surgery at the time. It also reveals earlier successful cases of caesareans, tracing the procedure's evolution from its perilous beginnings to the modern day. Myths surrounding cesarean sections, including those linked to Julius Caesar, are unraveled, showcasing a rich history filled with surprising twists.

Chariot racing was a dangerous and violent sport at the best of times, but on 13th January, 532, a hooligan-led protest at the Hippodrome of Constantinople - known as ‘the Nika rebellion’ - ultimately lead to over 30,000 deaths and the destruction of half the City. Upon hearing his wife urge him that ‘royalty is a good burial shroud’, the Emperor Justinian reportedly decided to slaughter his own people to maintain his position of power. Yet, despite this, he was ultimately deemed to have earned his epithet: ‘The Great’. In this episode, Arion, Rebecca and Olly unearth the tradition of ‘curse tablets’; explain why Empress Theodora switched allegiances from the ‘greens’ to the ‘blues’; and reveal how a eunuch wielding gold coins helped to stabilise the Byzantine empire…Further Reading: • ‘Overview of the Nika Revolt’ (ThoughtCo, 2019): https://www.thoughtco.com/the-nika-revolt-1788557 • Deadly Moments in History - The Nika Riots (Invicta, 2018): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dm9mscL2qHU • ‘12 Historic Little Known Rebellions with Tragic and Bloody Ends’ (History Collection, 2017): https://historycollection.com/12-historic-little-known-rebellions-tragic-bloody-ends/9/‘Why am I hearing a rerun?’Each Thursday and Friday we repeat stories from our archive of 800+ episodes, so we can maintain the quality of our independent podcast and bring you fresh, free content every Monday-Wednesday… … But 🌴CLUB RETROSPECTORS🌴members get an additional full-length episode each Sunday! Join now with a free trial on Apple Podcasts or Patreon and support our show ❤️ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Delve into the fascinating tale of the Sinclair C5, an electric vehicle that missed the mark. Launching in winter, its design clashed with the elements, leaving it vulnerable to criticism. Discover the quirky challenges it faced, from misrepresentations about its range to the unexpected legal loophole allowing unlicensed youth to drive it. Its marketing strategies aimed at young consumers were innovative yet ultimately flawed. Explore the rise and fall of this curious vehicle and its place in the legacy of Sir Clive Sinclair's other ambitious projects.

Rerun: “In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes”, the American statesman Benjamin Franklin once said, but until 9 January, 1799, taxation looked very different to the way it does today, because this was the day the world was first introduced to income tax.Its introduction by British Prime Minister William Pitt the Younger was not one of his most popular innovations, but he had good reason to be wanting to bring more money into the government’s coffers, given the national debt had doubled during the American War of Independence and now stood at £243 million.In this episode, Arion, Rebecca and Olly explain why there was a bonfire outside Westminster the day income tax was eventually repealed; marvel that taxation used to target the wealthy rather than the poor; and reveal why taxing farts is more sensible than it sounds… Further Reading:• ‘9 January 1799: income tax introduced to Britain’ (Money Week, 2021): https://moneyweek.com/372129/9-january-1799-income-tax-introduced-to-britain • ‘A short history of income tax’ (The Independent, 1995): https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/a-short-history-of-income-tax-1577708.html• ‘William Hague on William Pitt’ (Cambridge University, 2010): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O0tHmYEaqok‘Why am I hearing a rerun?’Each Thursday and Friday we repeat stories from our archive of 800+ episodes, so we can maintain the quality of our independent podcast and bring you fresh, free content every Monday-Wednesday… … But 🌴CLUB RETROSPECTORS🌴members get an additional full-length episode each Sunday! Join now with a free trial on Apple Podcasts or Patreon and support our show ❤️The Retrospectors are Olly Mann, Rebecca Messina & Arion McNicoll, with Matt Hill.Theme Music: Pass The Peas. Announcer: Bob Ravelli. Graphic Design: Terry Saunders. Edit Producer: Emma Corsham.Copyright: Rethink Audio / Olly Mann 2025. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices