Historical Projects

David Jenkins

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Historical Projects explores iconic achievements like Hagia Sophia, the Library of Alexandria, and Cologne Cathedral to uncover timeless lessons in vision, leadership, and collaboration. Host David Jenkins and fellow technical professionals reveal how these stories become blueprints for modern project success. Join the community and be part of the journey where history meets leadership.

Трейлер

Empire State Building_Trailer

During the Great Depression, New York built the impossible: the Empire State Building — rising at four and a half floors per week. In this episode, David Jenkins and Associate Professor Tillmann Bohme unpack how 3,000 workers, razor‑sharp coordination, and bold ambition delivered a 102‑story icon in just 1 year and 45 days. From skyscraper rivalry to Art Deco brilliance, fast‑track construction, and modern sustainability, this is the story of how a building became a global symbol of resilience and vision.

3 мин.
30 июн.

Persepolis_Full podcast

What if the most extraordinary project you’ve ever seen… was built 2,500 years ago? In this episode of Historical Projects, we travel to ancient Persia to explore Persepolis — a city carved in stone,engineered across generations, and designed to send a message of unity to the world. And guiding us is someone who’s lived this history: structural engineer and researcher Younes Rahnama, who grew up in Iran and saw Persepolis long before he studied engineering. You’ll hear how a spontaneous post‑graduation trip — a two‑hour flight to Shiraz — led Younes to one of the most breathtaking moments of his life. In his own words: “The very first time I saw those columns and the mythical creatures carved into the stone… it was something else.” But Persepolis isn’t just beautiful — it’s a masterclass in leadership and project design. A 150‑year mega‑project begun by Darius the Great… expanded by Xerxes… refined by Artaxerxes.A place where 28 nations contributed their own engineering and artistic traditions.A city whose reliefs show not slaves or prisoners, but delegations walking side‑by‑side. We dive into the engineering brilliance — from earthquake‑resistant stonework to a subterranean water system carved into bedrock. We explore clay tablets that reveal a transparent, data‑driven workforce system — documenting wages, rations, evensupport for mothers and midwives. And we explore Younes’ personal connection — how Persepolis anchors him as a PhD student researching structural systems far from home. In his own words: “When I look at those ruins, I don’t see a dead empire; I see the birthplace of values we still strive for today.” And yes — we even talk about tea, sunglasses, and the moment he literally lost himself in the ruins. If you love history, leadership, engineering, or stories that remind us what humans can build when they thinkbeyond their own lifetime… You won’t want to miss the full episode. Persepolis: Building an Empire in Stone.

29 мин.
Трейлер

Persepolis_Teaser

What if the most extraordinary project you’ve ever seen… wasbuilt 2,500 years ago? In this episode of Historical Projects, we travel toancient Persia to explore Persepolis — a city carved in stone, engineeredacross generations, and designed to send a message of unity to the world. And guiding us is someone who’s lived this history:structural engineer and researcher Younes Rahnama, who grew up in Iranand saw Persepolis long before he studied engineering. You’ll hear how a spontaneous post‑graduation trip — a two‑hourflight to Shiraz — led Younes to one of the most breathtaking moments of hislife. In his own words: “The very first time I saw those columns and the mythicalcreatures carved into the stone… it was something else.” But Persepolis isn’t just beautiful — it’s a masterclass inleadership and project design. A 150‑year mega‑project begun by Darius the Great… expandedby Xerxes… refined by Artaxerxes. A place where 28 nations contributed their own engineering and artistictraditions. A city whose reliefs show not slaves or prisoners, but delegations walkingside‑by‑side. We dive into the engineering brilliance — from earthquake‑resistantstonework to a subterranean water system carved into bedrock. We explore clay tablets that reveal a transparent, data‑drivenworkforce system — documenting wages, rations, even support for mothers andmidwives. And we explore Younes’ personal connection — how Persepolisanchors him as a PhD student researching structural systems far from home. Inhis own words: “When I look at those ruins, I don’t see a dead empire; Isee the birthplace of values we still strive for today.” And yes — we even talk about tea, sunglasses, and the momenthe literally lost himself in the ruins. If you love history, leadership, engineering, or storiesthat remind us what humans can build when they think beyond their own lifetime…You won’t want to miss the full episode. Persepolis: Building an Empire in Stone.

3 мин.
16 июн.

CN Tower_Full podcast

Please follow this show on Spotify In this episode of Historical Projects, host David is joined by engineer and industry leader Jean-Philippe Hudon to explore the CNTower — a project that combined national ambition, engineering innovation, and extraordinary teamwork. JP begins with his first childhood encounter with the Tower, recalling the awe of standing on the glass floor andlooking down 342 meters. From there, he and David trace the story back to the 1970s, when Toronto’s booming skyline created major radio and televisioninterference. Canadian National Railway stepped in with a bold solution: build a tower so tall and so structurally advanced that it would broadcast signals cleanly across the region. “The tower has no joints — it was made from a continuous concrete pour.” Together, they explore the construction process: 1,500 workers, 24-hour shifts, 40,500 cubic meters of concrete, and the dramatic helicopter lift that placed the antenna in 1975. They discuss how the Tower became the tallest freestanding structure in the world for 32 years, and how it continues to serve as a telecommunications hub and cultural icon. The conversation then shifts to leadership and project success — from managing risk and coordinating complexteams to creating psychological safety and building projects that outlive their original purpose. JP shares personal stories from his own engineering career, drawing parallels between the Tower’s ambition and the challenges modern leaders face. If you’re passionate about engineering, leadership, or the human stories behind iconic structures, this episode offersa powerful look at what it takes to build something that changes a skyline — and a country. Follow the show,

29 мин.
Трейлер

CN Tower_Teaser 3 mins

“It redefined a skyline, solved a national communications challenge, and stood as the world’s tallest freestanding structure for more than three decades.” In this upcoming episode of Historical Projects, we explore the CN Tower — a project that pushed engineering to its limits and reshaped the identity of an entire nation. Rising 553 meters above Toronto, the Tower wasn’t just built to be tall; it was built to solve a real communications problem and to showcase the ambition of Canadian engineering. Host David previews the story with guest JP Hudon, areliability engineer turned industry leader whose personal connection to the Tower — from childhood memories to professional insights — brings the narrative to life. Together, they tease out the big themes: vision, risk, teamwork, national pride, and the human stories behind a project that required 1,500 workers, continuous concrete pours, and a helicopter named Olga to lift the antenna into place. This trailer gives listeners a taste of the history, theengineering marvels, and the leadership lessons that make the CN Tower one of the most compelling project stories of the modern era. Follow the show and get ready for the full episode.

3 мин.
2 июн.

La Sagrada Familia_Full podcast

Please follow this show on Spotify In this episode of Historical Projects, host David is joined by engineering and strategy leader Derek Hannigan to explore La Sagrada Família — a project that challenges everything we think we know about timelines, leadership, and long‑term vision. Derek shares his personal experience visiting the basilica,describing how seeing it at dawn, at night, and from his balcony transformed his understanding of the project. He and David trace the story from its 1882 origins under Francisco de Paula del Villar to the moment Antoni Gaudí took over and reimagined the entire design. Gaudí devoted the last 40 years of his life to the project, leaving behind models and geometric studies so detailed that future generations could continue the work after his death. “The people who poured the foundations in the 1880s knewwith certainty they would never see the finished building.” Together, David and Derek explore how the basilica survivedwars, funding shortages, the destruction of Gaudí’s original models, and the transition from hand‑built craftsmanship to computer‑aided design — all while staying true to its purpose. They connect this history to modern leadership: how to sustain vision across generations, how to adapt methods without losing purpose, and how to build cultures of stewardship rather than ownership. The episode blends vivid history with personal stories,strategic insight, and unforgettable details — from the stone‑forest interior to the stained‑glass light that shifts from cool blues to fiery reds as the day moves. If you’re passionate about strategy, architecture, or thewith the power of long‑term vision, this episode will leave you inspired by what humans can achieve together. Be sure to follow our community podcast.

29 мин.
Трейлер

La Sagrada Familia_Teaser 3min

This is a project defined by vision, resilience, and the belief that some creations are meant to outlive their creators. In this upcoming episode of Historical Projects, we explore one of the most astonishing long‑term projects ever attempted: La Sagrada Família. More than a basilica, it is a living testament to human imagination — a project carried forward by generations who believed in a vision they would never see completed. Host David introduces the extraordinary story behind thebuilding and previews the conversation with guest Derek Hannigan, a seasoned engineering and strategy leader whose personal visit to the basilica adds depth and immediacy to the narrative. Together, they tease out the big themes:visionary leadership, multi‑generational strategy, adaptive design, and the courage to build something that transcends a single lifetime. This trailer gives listeners a taste of the history, the wonder, and the strategic insights that make La Sagrada Família one of the most compelling project stories in the world. Follow the show and get ready for the full episode.

3 мин.
19 мая

Library of Alexandria_Full podcast

“This wasn’t just a library — it was a knowledge engine,staffed by more than 100 scholars who lived, worked, and researched on site.” In this episode of Historical Projects, host David isjoined by strategist and engineer Dewetia to explore the Library of Alexandria — a project defined by vision, investment, and the belief that knowledge couldbe systematically gathered for the benefit of humanity. Dewetia takes us back to the Library’s founding underPtolemy I and II, when its mission was nothing less than to collect every written work in existence, translate texts into Greek, and support scholars across mathematics, astronomy, medicine, literature, and philosophy. At its height, the Library may have held between 40,000 and 400,000 scrolls, making it the intellectual centre of the ancient world. “Ships arriving in Alexandria were searched for books;any scrolls found were copied. The originals were kept in the Library…” Together, David and Dewetia explore how the Library rose,how it gradually declined through political instability and shifting priorities, and why its legacy still shapes modern research institutions. They connect this history to today’s innovation challenges: sustaining long‑term vision, protecting cultures of curiosity, balancing knowledge collection withknowledge use, and recognising early warning signs when support begins to fade. The episode blends vivid history with personal stories,strategic insight, and modern parallels — from decarbonisation to organisational learning — offering listeners a rich reflection on what it takes to build something that lasts. If you’re passionate about innovation, leadership, or thepower of knowledge, this episode will stay with you long after it ends.

30 мин.

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Historical Projects explores iconic achievements like Hagia Sophia, the Library of Alexandria, and Cologne Cathedral to uncover timeless lessons in vision, leadership, and collaboration. Host David Jenkins and fellow technical professionals reveal how these stories become blueprints for modern project success. Join the community and be part of the journey where history meets leadership.

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David Jenkins
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2 тыс.
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Historical Projects