Communication

Paul Sinha looks through all of human history and examines how we came to be where we are.

In this edition, he looks at the modern's youth's obsession with a device that can be used to email, text, surf the web, play games and, very occasionally, make telephone calls - the telephone.

The story of how it came, legally, into being obviously involves electro-shock therapy and an exploding boat.

Paul also looks at a more positive aspect of young people, and tells a story of how the introduction of gin to the United Kingdom inspired the 17th-century equivalent of the Ice Bucket Challenge.

Written and performed by Paul Sinha.

Producer: Ed Morrish

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2014.