In this week's episode, hear about the history behind the names of five nations, all named after real historical figures.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Velcro - or, officially, the hook-and-loop fastener - is a useful little invention that we all still use today, and one that was popularised after helping us get to the Moon. 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Quarter-Arsed History presents: the story of W.G. Grace, one of the most famous cricketers from the 19th century, famous for his immense skill which helped to revolutionise the game. 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, get across the origin and history of a fierce century-and-a-half sporting rivalry, brought to life whenever Australia face off against England in Test cricket: the Ashes.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The microwave oven came about due to a very lucky accident involving an electrical engineer and chocolate bar, and today is found in billions of homes worldwide.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Quarter-Arsed History presents: the Petrov Affair, when two Soviet spies caused a major political upheaval by defecting to Australia in the 1950s.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week's episode, hear the story of the Dismissal: the 1975 Australian Constitutional Crisis, when Prime Minister Gough Whitlam was turfed out by the governor-general.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The ballpoint pen may not have ushered in a technological revolution as so many other inventions in this series did, but it nonetheless played a significant role in making everyday writing simple, cheap, and relatively smudge-free.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Quarter-Arsed History presents: the story of Robert Curthose, who managed to cause all sorts of headaches for his two kingly brothers, despite being older than both of them.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week's episode, apropos of nothing, meet three historical younger-born princes who nothing but a royal pain in the arse for their older brothers.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.