16 episodes

Join domestic historian Ruth Goodman as she guides you through the surprising, often epic, stories behind everyday objects in your home. Double-glazed windows? We owe those to a French king’s odd fascination with oranges. The minty fresh toothpaste by your sink? Well, if you lived in Ancient Greece, you’d be washing your teeth with ground-up bones and oyster shells. And wallpaper? It seems innocent enough, but in the Victorian era it was downright deadly.

Discover the extraordinary history of the ordinary items all around you, every Tuesday, wherever you get your podcasts.

For ad-free listening, exclusive content and early access to new episodes, join Noiser+. Click the Noiser+ banner to get started with a 7-day free trial. Or if you’re on Spotify or Android, head to noiser.com/subscriptions

For advertising enquiries, email info@adelicious.fm

Hosted by Ruth Goodman. Production: Emmie Rose Price-Goodfellow, Tom Pink, Addison Nugent, Nicole Edmunds, Lloyd Starr, George Colwey, Miriam Baines, Katrina Hughes. Compositions by Tom Pink, Dorry Macaulay, Oliver Baines.

The Curious History of Your Home Noiser

    • History
    • 4.9 • 28 Ratings

Listen on Apple Podcasts
Requires subscription and macOS 11.4 or higher

Join domestic historian Ruth Goodman as she guides you through the surprising, often epic, stories behind everyday objects in your home. Double-glazed windows? We owe those to a French king’s odd fascination with oranges. The minty fresh toothpaste by your sink? Well, if you lived in Ancient Greece, you’d be washing your teeth with ground-up bones and oyster shells. And wallpaper? It seems innocent enough, but in the Victorian era it was downright deadly.

Discover the extraordinary history of the ordinary items all around you, every Tuesday, wherever you get your podcasts.

For ad-free listening, exclusive content and early access to new episodes, join Noiser+. Click the Noiser+ banner to get started with a 7-day free trial. Or if you’re on Spotify or Android, head to noiser.com/subscriptions

For advertising enquiries, email info@adelicious.fm

Hosted by Ruth Goodman. Production: Emmie Rose Price-Goodfellow, Tom Pink, Addison Nugent, Nicole Edmunds, Lloyd Starr, George Colwey, Miriam Baines, Katrina Hughes. Compositions by Tom Pink, Dorry Macaulay, Oliver Baines.

Listen on Apple Podcasts
Requires subscription and macOS 11.4 or higher

    Hats

    Hats

    This episode will be available for free on June 25th 2024. For instant access, ad-free listening and bonus material, join Noiser+.
    In the Italian Alps, the world’s oldest known hat is unearthed. In ancient Rome, a simple head covering separates slaves from freedmen. In Victorian London, hats prove deadly for the men and women who make them. And Napoleon Bonaparte causes a stir, by rotating his bicorne 90 degrees…
    A Noiser production, written by Nicole Edmunds.

    Carpets

    Carpets

    In remotest Siberia, an intrepid archaeologist uncovers the oldest rug known to man. The Moors of north Africa occupy Spain, bringing new floor coverings with them. A young girl’s innovation turns a small Georgia town into the carpet capital of the world. And the Dalai Lama flees Tibet, taking his carpets with him…
    A Noiser production, written by Roger Morris.
    For ad-free listening, exclusive content and early access to new episodes, join Noiser+. Click the Noiser+ banner to get started with a 7-day free trial. Or, if you’re on Spotify or Android, go to noiser.com/subscriptions.
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    • 38 min
    The Medicine Cabinet

    The Medicine Cabinet

    A radical apothecary causes a stir during the English Civil War. Wise Women offer mysterious advice on how to rid oneself of warts. A wife’s accidents in the kitchen lead her husband to develop the first band-aid. And in Victorian London, unsuspecting mothers treat their children with a dangerously addictive drug…
    A Noiser production, written by Roger Morris.
    For ad-free listening, exclusive content and early access to new episodes, join Noiser+. Click the Noiser+ banner to get started with a 7-day free trial. Or, if you’re on Spotify or Android, go to noiser.com/subscriptions.
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    • 38 min
    Introducing: D-Day: The Tide Turns - Episode 1

    Introducing: D-Day: The Tide Turns - Episode 1

    This is a taster episode of a brand-new podcast from the Noiser network. Host Paul McGann follows the real people involved in the D-Day landings.
    It’s 1944 and Europe is in the grip of the Nazi war machine. But on the shores of Great Britain, thousands of men and women are planning the great fightback. What will it take to turn the tide of World War 2?
    Search ‘D-Day: The Tide Turns’ in your podcast app and hit follow to get new episodes each Thursday. Or listen at noiser.com
    Episode 2 is live now on D-Day: The Tide Turns.

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    • 53 min
    Beds

    Beds

    Archaeologists in South Africa discover the world’s oldest bed. In Victorian London, homeless people have to choose between sleeping on a bench or sleeping in a coffin. 26 butchers and their wives get cosy in 17th-century Hertfordshire. And a bed proves fatal for three men in medieval France…
    A Noiser production, written by Nicole Edmunds.
    For ad-free listening, exclusive content and early access to new episodes, join Noiser+. Click the Noiser+ banner to get started with a 7-day free trial. Or, if you’re on Spotify or Android, go to noiser.com/subscriptions.
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    • 39 min
    Beer

    Beer

    In ancient Mesopotamia, people invent straws to better enjoy their favourite tipple. The Romans turn their noses up at barbarian beverages. The introduction of hops to brewing sparks a beer-based battle of the sexes. And Prohibition in America leads to the production of potentially deadly drinks…
    A Noiser production, written by Nicole Edmunds.
    For ad-free listening, exclusive content and early access to new episodes, join Noiser+. Click the Noiser+ banner to get started with a 7-day free trial. Or, if you’re on Spotify or Android, go to noiser.com/subscriptions
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    • 40 min

Customer Reviews

4.9 out of 5
28 Ratings

28 Ratings

ajwatson82 ,

Absolutely wonderful

This is just such a fascinating podcast. Ruth does such a wonderful job and really brings it to life. I would highly recommend this to anybody who is interested in history but especially interested in the curious things of history and every day life.

Poopence ,

Give it a go!

My friend recommended this series to me and at first I thought it sounded a bit dull, but I was so wrong! I loved every minute, very interesting and very entertaining.

Oracle of Wi-Fi ,

Great!

This is vey informative and interesting!

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