Podcasts by Jack P Taylors Political and Historical Curiosities
I'm Jack a politics and history buff who enjoys learning about the why, how, when, who, and what of our world.
There is no theme, time limit, or other restrictions to this weekly show other than my own attention span and what I find interesting at that time.
This means prior topics include: Presidential desks, submarine communication cables, the last emperor of China and Eurovision.
I hope you choose to listen and if you want to get in touch twitter: @jackptaylor or e-mail: jackptaylor92@gmail.com
Further podcasts by Jack P Taylor
Podcast on the topic Geschichte
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61. Embassies from 2018-04-19T22:44:20
Embassies are fascinating entities having existed for longer than the concept of the modern nation-state.
They are often misunderstood and can offer a unique insight into the diplomatic i...
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60. Midgley's Leaded Gasoline from 2018-04-02T22:54:19
Thomas Midgley Jr. was undoubtedly a great inventor, yet he was far from a great man.
Midgley was recognised by J. R. McNeill, a pioneer of the study of environmental his...
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59. Truman's Internationalised Waterways from 2018-03-22T08:08:41
A lot of wonderful things can be said about Truman, particularly his attitude to the office of the President.
We can not say wonderful things about Truman's idea to internationalise the w...
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58. The Academy Awards (Oscars) from 2018-03-05T23:47:08
The Academy Awards/Oscars are the culmination of the Hollywood award season and celebrates the prior years greatest cinematic accomplishments.
In this episode I look at what the Academy A...
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57. Qazaqstan? from 2018-02-11T23:31:54
Countries do not change their name often, and far less often their alphabet.
Kazakhstan will soon be doing both to become Qazaqstan.
In this episode I cover the why, what, when, w...
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56. Champagne&Stilton from 2018-01-22T00:30
REGULATION (EU) No 1151/2012 OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 21 November 2012 on quality schemes for agricultural products and foodstuffs - Listen
55. The impossible christmas quiz 🎄 from 2017-12-25T01:07:14
Merry christmas everyone!
A fiendishly difficult christmas quiz for you all based on my past episodes - anything better than 50% and you deserve to be on Santa's good list.
Let us ...
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54. Bazalgette's sewers from 2017-12-07T00:01
Please don't think I have an obsession with sewers.
In this episode I look at work of Bazalgette, the former Chief Engineer of the London Metropolitan Board of Works, a man who Listen
53. Norway's $1 Trillion of foresight from 2017-11-26T22:31:33
Many nations sit on some form of natural resource wealth and, as is their right, they will exploit that wealth. The windfall is often spent nearly as quickly as it is earned with few able to exe...
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52. The 1904 St. Louis Olympics marathon from 2017-11-19T23:49:23
The olympics as we know them today are a rather modern phenomenon, peculiarly mixing 'amateur' athletics with a very professionally run programme of events.
The 1904 St. Louis olympics we...
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51. The rise and rise of Xi Jinping from 2017-10-29T23:03:38
Xi Jinping has been called many things. The Economist describes him as 'the most powerful man in the world', his own party call him 'the core of the Chinese Communist Party', others a 'closet Ma...
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50. Ignaz Semmelweis's hand washing from 2017-10-15T21:13:42
You may not have heard of Ignaz Semmelweis.
Yet along with Louis Pasteur and Alexander Fleming he should be seen as one of the most important men in medical history.
Semmelweis r...
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49. The theft of sex.com - act two from 2017-10-02T00:27:11
A good domain can be key to any business and in the porn business they don't come much better than sex.com.
One man, Gary Kremen, realised this early on and registered the site for a barg...
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48. The theft of sex.com - act one from 2017-09-24T22:22:44
A good domain can be key to any business and in the porn business they don't come much better than sex.com.
One man, Gary Kremen, realised this early on and registered the site for a barg...
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47. Briefing: Catalonia Independence Referendum from 2017-09-19T23:56:31
It has been a little while since I've wrote a briefing. With the upcoming Catalonia Independence Referendum I decided to write another.
I'll cover in this show:
What is happening.<...
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46. The Abdication of King Edward VIII from 2017-09-17T17:46:25
This week's show details how King Edward VIII was forced to chose between the love he held for his country or his love for Wallis Simpson.
With original audio of speeches by King Edward I...
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45. A history of Tulip mania from 2017-09-10T17:25:43
This weeks episode covers the first ever recorded economic speculative bubble.
A period in the Netherlands during the 17th century where one tulip bulb could cost the same as a fashionabl...
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44. Lloyd's of London from 2017-09-03T17:55:10
This week's episode is a history of Lloyd's of London. With a history stretching back over 300 years this insurance marketplace has been part of some of the biggest parts of history.
Toda...
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43. Air Force One from 2017-08-20T21:32:07
It’s good to be back from my summer holidays and thanks for continuing to listen.
This week’s episode covers a history of Air Force One and Presidential aviation more generally.
It...
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42. The Moscow-Washington Hotline from 2017-07-30T23:57:23
The Moscow-Washington Hotline: must a world be lost for want of a telephone call?
The Moscow-Washington Hotline has become a seminal part of how many see the American Presidency.
I...
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41. The BBC Advisory Committee on Spoken English from 2017-07-24T21:42:37
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 fifte...
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40. The raising of Chicago&the reversal of the Chicago River from 2017-07-16T21:49:48
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 Michig...
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39. Disaster Victim Identification from 2017-07-09T23:00:28
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 ...
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38. Submarine Communication Cables - from the Telegraph to the Internet from 2017-07-03T12:15:30
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.
36. Le Tour de France from 2017-06-25T12:37:59
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 11...
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35. Presidential Libraries from 2017-06-18T22:41:41
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,...
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34. The Victoria Cross medal and Charles Upham from 2017-06-11T16:42:24
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 sold...
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33. Albertopolis: the town that Prince Albert built from 2017-06-11T16:40:25
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. Listen
32. Highgate Cemetery: its history and its famous occupants. from 2017-06-11T16:36:39
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...
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31. Briefing - UK General Election - the first and last constituencies to declare from 2017-06-08T20:48:16
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://ww...
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30. Pu Yi - The Last Emperor of China from 2017-06-04T23:32:52
Today I discuss Pu Yi the Last Emperor of the Qing Dynasty and of Imperial China.
I won't say any more detail as #nospoilers
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29. The Avignon Papacy of 1309 to 1378: Anti-Popes and the Catholic Church goes on tour from 2017-05-29T00:22:20
In this week's episode I'll cover from 1292 to 1417 discussing:
how the Avignon Papacy of the Catholic Church began,
the Popes of the Avignon Papacy,
how the Papacy returned...
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28. The Pitcairn Islands - fit for 50 kings from 2017-05-21T21:49:57
In this week's episode I discuss the fascinating history of the least populous national jurisdiction in the world - the Pitcairn Islands. Covering:
Early settlers,
Discovery,
<... Listen
27. Eurovision from 2017-05-13T02:26:50
Not only an early episode but one that is current!
A history of the European Broadcasting Union - which you'll probably find boring.
Then a history of Eurovision in all its glory.<...
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26. The United Nations - a history: part 8 - Sept 11th 2001 to the modern day. from 2017-05-07T23:28:13
In this final episode we cover:
The 9/11 attacks
Afghanistan
The International Criminal Court
Iraq
The 60th anniversary of the UN
The election of Ban Ki...
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24. The United Nations - a history: part 7 - 1994 to 2001. from 2017-04-30T02:06:21
In this episode we cover:
Somalia,
Rwanda,
Yugoslavia,
Sergei Lavrov,
Iraq and oil-for-food,
Kofi Annan's election,
UNSC expansion,
The In...
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23. OPEC (Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries) from 2017-04-24T02:16:50
In this episode I cover 60 years of history for OPEC - a tale of oil and power
Covering its founding
How its membership expanded
The oil embargoes of 1967 and 1973
A ...
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22. The United Nations - a history: part 6 - 1986 to 1993 from 2017-04-24T02:14:09
In today's episode the UN gets out of it's funk. I cover:
The Iran-Iraq war
The Iraqi invasion of Kuwait
How the USSR became the Russian Federation
Yugoslavia and Som...
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21. No. 10 Downing Street from 2017-04-16T09:13:53
No. 10 Downing Street, and the rest of the street actually, are today's topic. I'll cover:
Why Downing Street is famous,
How Downing Street was built,
Who built Downing Stre...
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20. The United Nations - a history: part 5 - 1968 to 1985 from 2017-04-16T09:12:27
In today's episode I cover 1968 to 1985 in the UN's history, discussing:
The 1968 Protests in Czechoslovakia
Rhodesia and the first US veto in the UNSC
China's representatio...
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19. French Politics: the President, the Parliament, and the upcoming elections from 2017-04-09T22:01:08
In today's episode on French politics I consider how:
The French President gets elected,
The President's powers,
The French Prime Minister's powers,
The structure of...
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18. The United Nations - a history: part 4 - 1957 to 1967 from 2017-04-09T21:58:28
In today's episode I cover the history of the UN from 1957 to 1967 covering:
Nation building in Africa,
Gary Powers and the U-2 Crisis,
The Cuban Missile Crisis,
Viet...
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17. The Velvet Divorce: the dissolution of Czechoslovakia from 2017-04-02T10:56:24
In this episode I say "velvet divorce" a lot.
I also cover a brief history of Czechoslovakia,
How the dissolution came to be,
The issues that the dissolution faced
Is...
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16. The United Nations - a history: part 3 - 1946 to 1956 from 2017-04-02T10:53:11
In today's episode I consider 1946-1956 in the bodies history.
The first use of the veto
Palestine and Israel
An Oscar win
The Berlin Blockade
Chinese represen...
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15. Briefing - Article 50 - what is the process in under 4 minutes. from 2017-03-29T21:07:31
In a first I'm covering the actual news.
What is article 50?
How was it invoked?
Has the UK now left the EU?
How will we know how it's going?
What will the EU...
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14. The fireside chats of Franklin D. Roosevelt from 2017-03-26T09:07:06
Over the four terms of FDR's presidency he would deliver approx. 30 fireside messages, they have been credited for his immense popularity and are still today are unique type of address.
T...
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13. The United Nations - a history: part 2 - The three conferences and the first meeting from 2017-03-26T09:00:39
In this episode I consider the Dumbarton Oaks, Yalta, and San Francison conferences, and the first meetings of the United Nations General Assembly and the United Nations Security Council.
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12. Scotland: how it joined and how it is trying to leave the UK from 2017-03-19T09:25:09
I'll consider why Scotland joined England & Wales in 1707, how the fortunes of independence and home rule movements have ebbed and waned, and the state of play today
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11. The United Nations - a history: part 1 - what came before, and who wants what? from 2017-03-19T09:23:03
In this episode I consider what came before the United Nations, how the term United Nations first referred to a military alliance, and what each of Roosevelt, Churchill, and Stalin aimed to secu...
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10. The Presidents’ Desks from 2017-03-19T08:54:13
I’ll discuss the six desks the Presidents have used in the Oval Office: detailing who used which, the history of their creation, and debunking National Treasure 2
Where to buy a Resolute ...
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9. A history of NATO from 2017-03-19T08:53:30
The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation accounts for 70% of the world’s defense spending. I’ll discuss how it was founded, how it expanded, its operations, and it’s current role in the world.
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8. Nuclear weapons - a history from 2017-03-19T08:52:49
In this longest episode yet I discuss: how nuclear weapons were first developed, when different nations started their programmes, the largest bomb ever exploded, a whose who of nuclear countri...
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7. Presidential pardons from 2017-03-19T08:51:49
In this episode I’ll discuss how the President is given the power to pardon, it’s uses throughout the years, and the MOST CONTROVERSIAL PARDONS OF THEM ALL!
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6. The European Union – ever deeper&wider union from 2017-03-19T08:51:08
This week I’ll discuss how the EU began, how it became what we know today, its expansion through the years, and where next.
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5. I dub thee a podcast: the UK Honours system - part 1 from 2017-03-19T08:50:17
What is a knighthood?
When did it all start?
What do I need to do to get an honour?
Are you able to turn down an honour?
Apologies for part of my recording rig decidi...
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4. The White House: Re-Decoration from 2017-03-19T08:49:21
In this part 2 of my look at the White House I consider how President’s get their stuff in on moving day, how President’s change the famous building from adding kitchens to hot tubs, and talk ab...
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3. US Court System from 2017-03-19T08:48:17
In this episode I strive to explain the basics of the US court system – from a state level to the US Supreme Court. I also talk quickly about how judges get selected.
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2. The Vice President, The Senate, and Tie-Breakers from 2017-03-19T08:47:35
With Vice President Pence recently making history by being the 1st VP to be needed vote for a President’s cabinet I discuss the role of the VP in Senate, and historical instances of VPs being ne...
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1. The White House: A history of its construction and its renovation from 2017-03-19T08:37:50
With Trump’s staff struggling to work the light switches I decided to do a two-parter focusing on the White House. This week I go through how the White House was built and then extended, how it ...
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