Wonder | Tales of Wonder and Curiosity

The Wonder show is about the people, places and events that shape our daily lives. Often those events are entirely out of our control, our destiny is shaped not only by our own actions and often inaction but also those of others and of circumstance. This idea is shaped beautifully by Mark Twain in an essay that he wrote, called “The turning point of my life”. For today’s show, I am going to read that essay taken from a collection of Mark Twain’s essays by Samuel Clemens (who of course is better known as "Mark Twain!"), called “What is Man? – and other essays”. The collection is on the public domain and available for free via Project Gutenberg. To leave a message or ask a question about this or any of the content, visit www.injustoneday.com/sayhello Thanks for being here.

In Northern India there lies a city, believed to be the oldest continuously inhabited city in the world and the spiritual home of India. Thousands flock here each day, to bathe in the waters of the Ganges, to cremate their loved ones, to pray in their many temples and/or to commune and to learn. This city has a strong heritage in music, literature, arts and craft, the most cherished being the art of silk weaving, known the world over for the beautiful and prized Banarasi sarees. It is also a city of legends, with myths and tales of curiosity across its narrow alleyways and in its many ruins. It is a vibrant city of contrasts, a much loved and revered Holy city, a commercial city, a seat of learning and all wrapped up in its daily bustle, noise and pollution; it is a land of silk and dreams. This is the story of Varanasi. For more information, links and sources visit www.injustoneday.com/varanasi. To leave a comment, ask a question or provide feedback, visit www.injustoneday.com/sayhello Thanks for being here

California, the sunshine state of America, was gleaming for another reason back in 1848. On a farm in Sacramento, near the town of Caloma in January 1848, whilst working on John Sutter’s ranch, building a saw mill, John Marshall found gold. The two men tried to keep the find quiet, but word soon got out and before long people were coming from all around in search of fame and fortune. The Gold Rush brought tens of thousands of people to the area from all over the world and with it the need for supplies, tools and workwear. One man, recognizing the business potential this brought, arrived from New York to San Francisco to set up a branch of the family wholesale dry goods and garment business. His business grew quickly as did his reputation for quality. Then one day an opportunity arose that he could not refuse, that opportunity was to change his life and the lives of many others and would start a 150 year success story that continues to thrive to this day. This is the story of Levi's Jeans. For the show notes links and sources for this episode visit injustoneday.com/levis. Thanks for being here.

The beginning of the 16th century was a time of exploration, of discovery and of curiosity. Columbus had recently discovered the New World, Europe was expanding rapidly with trade routes being opened up with the East. These brought a wealth of exotic spices, plants and animals back from places such as India and China, to satisfy curiosity but also to display wealth and stature. Any self-respecting gentleman, nobleman or King wanted to display his wealth with a show of the unusual, the exotic and often the macabre. The natural world was becoming a focus of scientific and cultural interest as these explorers and travellers were returning with examples and illustrations of new species. One man recognised that his was a time of opportunity, of curiosity and wonder and he capitalised on it. To this day one of his creations, despite its inaccuracies lives in the annals of science and of art as a true masterpiece. This is the story of Durer’s Rhinoceros. Thanks for listening For more information, links and sources please head over to www.injustoneday.com/rhino Finally, I would like to hear from you, if you have any things you are curious about and would like to hear about on the show then you can let me know at www.injustoneday.com/getintouch/sayhello There are some instructions on how you can do that there or you can email me at hello@injustoneday.com. But until next time, thanks for being here and Have a great day.

Lying off the Northwest Coast of Scotland is a group of Islands known collectively as the Hebrides. They are Harris and Lewis, North and South Uist, Benbecula and Barra. These ancient and remote islands are as mysterious as they are beautiful, with the competing forces of the strong Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf Stream, nature is unforgiving. Yet, this brings with it unique opportunities and habitats for birds, mammals, marine animals and fauna not seen elsewhere. The Isle of Lewis, is 680 sq miles and is the northern most Island, it has a population of approx. 19000 people the majority of whom are concentrated in the town of Stornaway. It was previously inhabited by the Picts was under Norse rule from the 9th century when the Vikings settled there. Following the Treaty of Perth in 1266 Lewis and the other Islands became part of Scotland once again. The Isle of Lewis Almost 6 centuries later, on a day in April 1831, a farmer was out grazing his cattle when one of his animals unearthed what would become one of the most important archaeological and historically important finds to this day. This is the story of the Lewis Chessmen. For more information, links and sources visit www.injustoneday.com/chessmen.

Welcome to Season 3 of the Wonder Show! A new year and a new season – it feels great to be back. The feedback I’ve had to the first two seasons has been great and I appreciate all the good wishes you’ve given me, thank you. I have so many great tales of wonder and of curiosity to share with you and so I’ve decided that from Season 3, I’ll be extending the Season from 8 to 12 weeks, so you will have a total of 12 episodes per season to enjoy. For more information visit www.injustoneday.com You can pick up the next season of Wonder from all your usual places on Wednesday 31 January 2018. Oh, and the Wonder Show has been accepted by Spotify now too which is great news, so you can find it there. See you next week. Until then have a great day

In 1912, a London bookseller, acquired a manuscript as part of a much larger collection of rare books. Nothing unusual there but this collection was different and so was this manuscript. At the time, he didn’t know what he had in his possession. This manuscript had not been seen for over 200 years. After he unearthed it, it became a text of enormous interest to scientists, historians, academics and the public alike because it is quite simply a mystery. Elements of its history have been painstakingly pieced together but the true purpose of the book, its origin and its meaning have confounded all who have studied it. This is the story of the Voynich manuscript. For more information visit www.injustoneday.com/manuscript. Keep in touch via social media or email hello@injustoneday.com

On a wall in Milan, Italy there sits a work of art that has survived, despite man and nature’s best efforts to destroy it, for over 600 years. It has been studied, analysed in microscopic detail, restored, bombed and marvelled at. Some say that with so many restorations over the years, what remains is now only 40% of the original work of the artist yet it still mesmerises us. This masterpiece has stood the test of time and reflects the true wonder of the artist, a polymath who had an innate curiosity of the world, of us and how we work. This is the story of Leonardo Da Vinci and his painting of The Last Supper. For more information visit www.injustoneday.com/thelastsupper

There are few places on Earth that showcase the extraordinary beauty and diversity of life as in the Amazon. It is simply unique. The Amazon is the world’s largest rainforest and river system and spans across eight countries and one overseas territory, through Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana/ France. It contains one-tenth of the world’s known species; the latest estimates are 40,000 plant species, 1600 species of tree, 3,000 freshwater fish species, 1600 bird species, 1000 amphibians, 400+ mammals and more than 370 types of reptiles. This of course doesn’t take account of the myriad of insects and invertebrates that live there. It is one of Earth's last refuges for animals such as jaguars, harpy eagles and pink dolphins. A recent report by WWF confirmed that scientists are discovering an average of one new species in the Amazon every other day. Also, more than 30 million people, including 350 indigenous groups live in the Amazon and depend upon it for their shelter, food, agriculture and livelihoods. The Amazon rainforest and river provide such a unique and vital ecosystem that benefits us all, it is quite breath-taking and heart-breaking in equal measure. Today I want to tell one of the many stories of the Amazon, about an area along the vast Amazon River, how it is like nothing else anywhere on Earth and why it matters. Let’s find out more. For more information visit www.injustoneday.com/boilingriver

Our understanding of our world and how it came to be would be much less if it were not for the very many great scientists, historians and explorers who have endured much in the name of scientific and educational advancement over the centuries. One such person was a woman who lived in the 19th century on the South Coast of England. She was poorly educated, mostly self-taught and from a working-class background but her discoveries would help to create a new branch of science which would advance our understanding of what came before us. She was very definitely ahead of her time. This is the story of Mary Anning, also known as the greatest fossil hunter. Let’s find out more. For more information visit www.injustoneday.com/thefossilhunter

In Robert Louis Stevenson's Treasure Island, Long John Silver's parrot, Captain Flint would say with great rapidity, as the novel tells us, "Pieces of eight! Pieces of eight! Pieces of eight!" till you wondered that it was not out of breath, or till John threw his handkerchief over the cage. " This classic story has captivated generations of adults and children alike. It has also linked the coins (and parrots) to fictional depictions of pirates, to this day. So, whilst great pirate stories have forever linked “pieces of eight” with their owners and their seafaring bounty where does the term come from and what were they for? That is a tale of wonder. Let’s find out. For more information links and sources visit www.injustoneday.com/piecesofeight Thanks for listening!

On the morning of December 1, 1948, a body was found on an Adelaide Beach in South Australia. The man was lying slumped forward with his head against the seawall. He was well dressed wearing a suit with immaculately shined shoes but he had no identification on him of any kind. In the almost 70 years since that December day when he was found, no one has been able to discover the man’s identity, where he came from, what he was doing on the beach that day or how he died. What can this Unknown Man tell us? Let’s find out more. For more information visit www.injustoneday.com/wonder Thanks for listening and have a great day!

In 1848, a young man called Phineas Gage was carrying out a dangerous job on the railroad in central Vermont, USA. He was the foreman of a team of men who respected him greatly. On this day, 13 September 1848, this man was doing something he had done hundreds of times before but that day his attention was diverted for just a few seconds. These few seconds, would change his life forever and his experience would become one of the keystones of our understanding of neuroscience and of human behaviour. This is the curious story of Phineas Gage and his impact on the world of science. Let's find out more. For more information on this or any of the shows head on over to www.injustoneday.com/wonder.

Catherine “Kitty” Genovese, died in the early hours of the morning of 13 March 1964 in the rear hallway of her apartment block, from stab wounds inflicted by a man whom she had never met and for no other reason that he had been intent “on killing a woman” that night. This is the story that devastated a family, shocked a neighbourhood and a city and sent shockwaves around the world. 50 years on the effects are still felt strongly because the events of that night changed America. This is the story of Kitty Genovese, the Bystander Effect and the creation of the 911 emergency call. For more information visit www.injustoneday.com/kitty

This is just a very quick episode to say that Episode 8 of Season 1 last week marked the end of this season. Season 2 is in production as we speak and I will be back on the airwaves on Wednesday 1 November with more Tales of Wonder and Curiosity. I also wanted to take the opportunity to say Thank You! When I started this podcast a few weeks ago I had no idea how it would be received. For more information visit www.injustoneday.com/podcast Until Next Time Have a Great Day!

Today, high in the hills of Northern Thailand you will find acres upon acres of beautiful agricultural and environmental projects that have brought prosperity, education and health to a nation that less than half a century ago was in the grip of the worst opium crisis the world has known. This change was brought about by a man who was raised in the West but at a young age was thrust into a life of duty much earlier than he had expected. He was a quiet man, with a love for science and the environment, for photography and who was an accomplished jazz musician. He would become the longest reigning monarch and a much revered and loved King who would leave a legacy to his country and his people recognised the world over. This is the story of King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Phoo-mi-Pohn uh Doon-Ja-deht) or Rama IX, of Thailand, his legacy to his nation and his people. Let's find out more.

On 7 December 1900, Superintendent Robert Muirhead, of the Northern Lighthouse Board said farewell to his 3 lighthouse keepers, James Ducat, Thomas Marshall and Donald McArthur. They waved him goodbye as he stepped off the East landing at Eilean Mor onto his waiting boat to take him back to the mainland. The 3 lighthouse men were starting their next shift for 3 weeks on the island, taking care of the lighthouse and ensuring safe passage for the ships that passed by the Islands on the West Coast of Scotland navigating the often stormy and tempestuous Atlantic Ocean. What Robert Muirhead didn’t know at that time as he watched the three men head off into the distance was that he would likely be the last person to see them alive. The story surrounding the Flannan Isles Lighthouse has been a story of wonder and mystery for over a hundred years, what happened there and why? Let’s find out more

Every Day in one of the busiest cities of the world, an army of men start their daily work; nothing unusual there but these men are unique. For over 125 years, they have provided a service to the people of Bombay, now Mumbai that is the envy of the world. They are the Dabbawalas, the tiffin carriers who have a system of delivery that is unsurpassed and with it they ensure that the workers of Mumbai receive their home cooked food in perfect condition and on time every day. Let's find out more

In our world of over 7.5 billion people there is more that connects us than divides us but as individuals we are all unique. Sir David Attenborough and Charles Darwin – two great men who lived and worked about 150 years apart but both have made an enormous impact on our understanding of who we are and where we fit in to this great world of ours. My starting point is Charles Darwin, who was he, what influenced him and how did he become the father of natural selection? Let’s Find out.

Today, we live in a world of 24-hour media where images are beamed across the globe within seconds of an event, enabling us to see, hear and connect with people and their lives. Over 75 years ago though this was entirely different, news from other parts of the world was limited, edited and much slower to reach us. During World War II there was a refugee crisis like never before but out of this crisis shone a short but lasting beacon of light in one of the worst periods of our history. This beacon of light led to a series of rescue missions for mainly Jewish children fleeing the German regime. The missions were informally called Kindertransport (or transportation of children) and took place in the 15 months between December 1938 and May 1940. The Kindertransport is an amazing story of the true wonder of the human capacity for kindness and connection during the darkest of times. Let’s find out more. For more information visit the website at www.injustoneday.com/wonder