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Smile

Kate Williams explores the history of the modern winning smile - from a sign of madness to a political weapon. From 2012.

Kate Williams goes in search of the modern winning smile

Used in many different and persuasive ways, from beautiful people beaming down from billboards to politicians vying to win our votes - the broad and confident smile is very much at the centre of communication in today's society.

Yet open mouthed smiling can also be deemed a sign of madness – or simply undignified.

Historian and author Kate discovers the impact of dentistry and films on our changing relationship with our smiles along with role gender and culture play.

Why do most of us hate smiling in photographs?

Discover why Jenni Murray would never broadcast without one.

Producer: Andrea Kidd

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 2012.

Available now

30 minutes

Last on

Sat 10 May 202500:30
BBC Radio 4 Extra

Clip

Broadcasts

  • Sat 2 Jun 201210:30
    BBC Radio 4
  • Mon 15 Oct 201211:00
    BBC Radio 4
  • Mon 13 Mar 201706:30
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Mon 13 Mar 201713:30
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Mon 13 Mar 201720:30
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Tue 14 Mar 201701:30
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Thu 1 Jul 202114:30
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Fri 2 Jul 202102:30
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Sun 4 Jul 202115:30
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Mon 5 Jul 202103:30
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Fri 9 May 202510:30
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Fri 9 May 202516:30
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Sat 10 May 202500:30
    BBC Radio 4 Extra