Signals, seaweed and space
The anniversary of the telegraph sparks an unexpected conversation about bioelectricity.
Unexpected Elements · BBC World Service
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Show Notes
On the anniversary of the first telegraph being sent, the team discover how the telegraph was used as a colonial tool in Ghana, and how an eccentric Brazilian emperor helped spark a communications revolution.
They also reveal how tiny worms have helped scientists work out how our hearing works, and how bioelectricity might help focus your mind and heal your wounds.
There’s a tale of evil seaweed causing havoc for coastal communities, a scientist studying misophonia makes a pitch for The Coolest Science in the World, and there’s a listener question about how chickens fly.
And Marnie delves into a lesser known history of space flight, with the tale of a Zambian man who dreamt of being an astronaut.