Very British Obsessions
The Brits have had countless infatuations through the years - Timeshift investigates...
The Smoking Years—Series 11, The Smoking Years
Just a few decades ago smokers were everywhere. An introduction to the rise and fall of 'the smoker'.
Cigarette cards and the Second World War—Series 11, The Smoking Years
How cigarette cards inadvertently helped U-Boat commanders in the Second World War.
When women began to smoke in public—Series 11, The Smoking Years
At first, public smoking was a male preserve. But gradually women began to seek the right to smoke in public too.
When the circus comes to town—Series 11, When the Circus Comes to Town
In an age of austerity the dazzle of the circus was just what the nation needed as it warily ventured out into a brave new world.
The superstitions of the circus—Series 11, When the Circus Comes to Town
Find out about some of the many circus superstitions.
The language of the circus—Series 11, When the Circus Comes to Town
Over the years circus people have developed their own unique language.
Vidal Sassoon—Series 13, Bouffants, Beehives and Bobs: The Hairdos that Made Britain
Sassoon's precision cutting on styles like The Bob revolutionised the hair business.
All the fun of the fair—Series 11, All the Fun of the Fair
For hundreds of years travelling fairs have brought lights, thrills and spectacles to towns across the country.
You've never had it so big—Series 13, Bouffants, Beehives and Bobs: The Hairdos that Made Britain
As the 50s became the 60s, 'big hair' expressed the confidence and affluence of this era.
A personal memory of Hull fairground—Series 11, All the Fun of the Fair
Writer and broadcaster Matthew Sweet recounts the sights, sounds and smells of his visits to Hull Fairground.
The fairground year—Series 11, All the Fun of the Fair
Professor Vanessa Toulmin from the National Fairground Archive talks about how the showman's season has changed.
'Teasy Weasy'—Series 13, Bouffants, Beehives and Bobs: The Hairdos that Made Britain
In post war austerity, Raymond 'Teasy Weasy' stood out as a beacon of true flamboyance.
The dodgems—Series 11, All the Fun of the Fair
The arrival of an electric ride from America caused a sensation at British fairgrounds.
The British Galloper & The American Carousel—Series 11, All the Fun of the Fair
Fairground historian Graham Downie explains how British gallopers are different from American carousels.
Web exclusive: The importance of looking—Series 13, A Day at the Zoo
Dr. Hilda Kean outlines the transformation in our relationship with animals.
Jumbo the elephant—Series 13, A Day at the Zoo
The life and times of London Zoo's celebrity elephant.
Some are more equal than others—Series 11, Hotel Deluxe
A treat from the archive as Alan Whicker takes us behind the Iron Curtain to see their unique attitude to the luxury hotel.
Web exclusive: Growing up in a zoo—Series 13, A Day at the Zoo
Richard Cansdale describes his unique childhood growing up in London Zoo.
Behind closed doors—Series 11, Hotel Deluxe
Luxury hotels are the epitome of discretion, whatever goings-on occur in the five star rooms.
The Hotel DeLuxe—Series 11, Hotel Deluxe
What it means to be a luxury hotel.
Flying pickets—Series 10, The Modern Age of the Coach
During the miners’ strike of 1984- 85, coaches full of miners played cat and mouse with the police as they attempted to make their way to illegal demonstrations.
The Shipping Forecast—Series 13, Hurricanes and Heatwaves: The Highs and Lows of British Weather
The Shipping Forecast has remained almost the same since the first one back in 1924.
Feeding time at the zoo—Series 13, A Day at the Zoo
The concept of feeding animals at the zoo has changed dramatically over the years.
No hurricane—Series 13, Hurricanes and Heatwaves: The Highs and Lows of British Weather
Weatherman Michael Fish’s ‘no hurricane’ forecast is still remembered 25 years on.
