Between 1951 and 1968, a chemical factory dumped extreme amounts of mercury into Minamata Bay, a small town in south east Japan, poisoning fish and devastating the lives of those who relied on them for food.
Over 1,500 people died, thousands were left disabled, including many unborn babies, and millions were exposed to toxic mercury levels.
Join us as we learn why the incident remains a symbol of the need for stringent environmental regulations to prevent industrial pollution and protect public health.
The Tenerife Airport Disaster occurred on March 27 1977, when two Boeing 747 passenger jets collided on the runway at Los Rodeos Airport.
Simple but fatal errors in communication, alongside very poor visibility resulted in a disaster that makes this the deadliest accident in aviation history outside terrorism.
On this episode, we explore what life was like for those who lived in the local area, as well as how aviation history was changed forever.
In this podcast episode, we delve into the events that unfolded during the Great Fire of London.
Join us as we explore how a small bakery in Pudding Lane became the unfortunate spark that ignited the city. Fanned by powerful winds, the flames quickly engulfed buildings and continued their relentless path of destruction for days.
Surprisingly, the official death toll stood at a mere six individuals, but the aftermath of the fire left a staggering 85% of London's population without homes.
In this episode of our podcast, we explore the cataclysmic eruption of Mount Vesuvius in August 79 AD.
We detail the series of pyroclastic surges and ash clouds unleashed during the eruption, which launched a colossal column of volcanic ash and gases into the sky.
We also discuss the ferocious pyroclastic flows, swift currents of hot gas and volcanic debris which reached temperatures exceeding several hundred degrees Celsius, hauntingly preserving the towns of Pompeii and Herculaneum for future discovery.
This event had a major impact on the region and is remembered as one of the deadliest natural disasters in history.
In this episode, we explore the devastating ecological collapse of Easter Island, one of the world’s most remote islands famous for its huge statues, vanished entirely, taking all tree species with it.
Forest harvesting began around 900 and peaked by 1400. By 1722, when European explorers came across the island, it was already deforested.
The consequences of deforestation had been dire: the ecosystem collapsed, resources diminished, and population dwindled. Trapped without food, resources, and a way off the island, the people turned on each other.
Explore the cautionary tale of Easter Island and its vital lessons for our world today...
A day of thrills turned into a nightmare at Alton Towers on 2nd June 2015, when what should have been a routine ride on the Smiler Rollercoaster, famed as one of the most intense and scariest rides in the theme park, ended in disaster, when a loaded rollercoaster train collided with an empty test car. The crash left every single rider injured, and for two riders, the impact was life-changing.
Join us on this episode to discover how a system designed for safety failed so catastrophically and whether the blame could be put firmly on human error.
In the midst of a lively performance of "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time", tragedy struck when a segment of the Apollo Theatre's ceiling unexpectedly collapsed, leaving more than 80 theatre-goers injured, and many more shaken.
This episode discusses the risks with old buildings, and how audience members believed that the ominous sounds of the roof beginning to collapse were actually part of the show…
The Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill is considered one of the worst environmental disasters in history. Occurring in April 2010, even now, experts are still unsure just how extensive the damage to the local flora and fauna has been.
Tune into this episode to find out how the disaster was triggered by a sudden outburst of natural gas, which unfortunately resulted in the platform of the oil rig igniting, and tragically claiming the lives of 11 workers and causing injuries to 17 others.
On this extra-long episode of "Did History Actually Teach Us Anything?", we’re diving into one of history’s most infamous maritime disasters: the sinking of the RMS Titanic.
On the night of April 14, 1912, the "unsinkable" ship struck an iceberg, leading to a catastrophic loss of life and forever changing the world of sea travel. We’ll explore the events leading up to the tragedy, the tragedies that had befallen the titanic before it had even set sail, and how the disaster reshaped maritime safety.
On 22nd August 2015, at the Shoreham Air Show in England, a former military aircraft crashed onto a main road during an aerial display, leading to the tragic deaths of 11 individuals and injuring 16 others.
Join us as we learn what happened to lead the aircraft to strike the A27 road while attempting a loop manoeuvre, break into four parts on impact, and ignite a large fireball.
Join us in this episode as we delve into the tragic events that unfolded at King's Cross station on November 18, 1987.
A small flame, ignited by a lit match falling through a gap on a wooden escalator, sparked a catastrophic blaze, claiming the lives of 31 individuals, including a senior firefighter, and injuring many others.
Tune in to learn about the immediate impacts of the fire, the heroic efforts of firefighters, and the lasting changes in safety protocols as a result of this tragic incident.
Travel back to March 28, 1979, when the tranquillity of the Susquehanna River was shattered by the partial nuclear meltdown at the Three Mile Island Nuclear Generating Station in Pennsylvania. In the early morning hours, the Unit 2 reactor unleashed radioactive gases and iodine into the environment, marking the darkest chapter in U.S. commercial nuclear power plant history.
This catastrophic event, rated Level 5 on the International Nuclear Event Scale, had far-reaching consequences, earning the designation of an "Accident with Wider Consequence." Tune in as we delve into the chilling details of the Three Mile Island accident, exploring its impact on the community near Harrisburg and the enduring legacy it left on the nation's nuclear industry.
In December 1952, London was engulfed by a deadly smog that wreaked havoc on its residents.
Lasting for 4 harrowing days, the Great London Smog claimed the lives of approximately 12,000 people and left thousands more suffering from illness.
Join us as we dive into the gripping narrative of this environmental disaster, exploring the impact it had on the city and its inhabitants.
We'll uncover the events that led to this catastrophic smog and examine the lasting repercussions it left on the community.
In this episode, we explore a dramatic incident from the world of theatre. Imagine a bustling performance, the anticipation of the crowd at its peak. Suddenly, a canon misfires, igniting the wooden beams and thatching of the theatre. Within an hour, the entire structure is engulfed in flames and burns to the ground. Miraculously, no one is injured.
Join us as we uncover the story behind this fiery mishap and its lasting impact on theatre construction.
Welcome to Did History Actually Teach us Anything?
The podcast where we unravel the most well-known tales of calamity, mishap, and unforeseen consequences that have shaped the course of history, and consider whether we've actually learned anything from them all these years later...
In this podcast, we examine the historical events that you may think you know about already and the causes that led to them, be they icebergs or bakers ovens.
We will consider whether these tragedies could have been avoided, and some of the surprising things we do differently now as a result.
But this podcast, isn't just about dates and events. It's about learning from the past, drawing insights from hindsight, and gaining a deeper appreciation for the complexities of what really happened in these events we think we know so well.
So get ready to encounter remarkable individuals, pivotal moments and fascinating insights that will make you appreciate health and safety and environmental management as far more than just red tape.