Glued Up - The Sticky Story Of Humanity

In episode five he explores how the sticking power of modern glues – in everything from phones to furniture and planes to wind turbines – pose a problem, because they can't be UNstuck.

He hears how modern electronic devices contain more glue than ever before, making them harder to repair and more likely to end up in landfill. But new designs could make our tech more sustainable.

And he learns about research into reversible glues that can be turned off at the flick of a switch, and how they could change the way we make, fix and recycle our stuff.

Contributors:

Barny Greenland, University of Sussex

Liz Chamberlain, iFixit

Sound effects: scratching_rotten_wall by erpe, from Freesound

Producer: Anand Jagatia

Presenter: Mark Miodownik

Executive Producer: Sasha Feachem

BBC Studios Audio Production

Modern glues are incredibly strong - but are they too good?

Mark Miodownik explores human progress through the sticky substances that have shaped us.

Mark Miodownik explores why glues that don't unstick are a problem, and how reversible adhesives will be key to a sustainable future.

[LISTEN NOW]

How glues helped us fly

20240417

[LISTEN NOW]

How Glues Helped Us Fly

20240417

20241003 (R4)
20241005 (R4)

In this series, materials scientist Mark Miodownik charts the journey of human progress through the sticky substances that have shaped us.

In episode three he explores how adhesives have unlocked radically new designs for aircraft, letting us build planes that flew higher, faster and further than ever before.

He learns how, during WWII, adhesives allowed Britain to build a fighter plane that could outstrip anything else in the sky.

And he hears how glues are used to create the strong and lightweight stuff that planes are made out of today – materials that will be central to the goal of environmentally sustainable flight.

Contributors:

Christopher Wilk, Victoria and Albert Museum

Ginger Gardiner, Composites World

Producer: Anand Jagatia

Presenter: Mark Miodownik

Executive Producer: Sasha Feachem

BBC Studios Audio Production

Some of the biggest revolutions in aircraft design have been down to adhesives.

Mark Miodownik explores human progress through the sticky substances that have shaped us.

Mark Miodownik explores how some of the biggest revolutions in aircraft design have been down to adhesives.

[LISTEN NOW]

How rubber changed the world

20240416

[LISTEN NOW]

How Rubber Changed The World

20240416

20240926 (R4)
20240928 (R4)

In this series, materials scientist Mark Miodownik charts the journey of human progress through the sticky substances that have shaped us.

In episode two he explores how latex, the sticky sap of the rubber tree, transformed the world we live in.

He learns how rubber is an ancient Mesoamerican innovation dating back at least 3,600 years, used by the Olmec people for its incredible stretchiness and bounciness.

And he hears how scientists of the industrial revolution were captivated by rubber, but struggled to harness its miraculous properties. Eventually, one man would solve this sticky problem – but the quest nearly killed him, and cost him everything he had.

Contributors:

Charles Slack, Author and historian

Mike Tarkanian, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Sound effects: DeLorean DMC-12 (V6 PRV engine) by SkyernAklea, from Freesound

Producer: Anand Jagatia

Presenter: Mark Miodownik

Executive Producer: Sasha Feachem

BBC Studios Audio Production

Latex, the sticky sap of the rubber tree, transformed everything in the 19th century.

Mark Miodownik explores human progress through the sticky substances that have shaped us.

Mark Miodownik explores how the ancient Mesoamerican innovation of rubber transformed everything in the 19th century.

[LISTEN NOW]

The Birth of Civilisation

20240415

[LISTEN NOW]

War and Wounds

20240418

[LISTEN NOW]

War And Wounds

20240418

20241010 (R4)
20241012 (R4)

In this series, materials scientist Mark Miodownik charts the journey of human progress through the sticky substances that have shaped us.

In episode four he explores how the accidental invention of superglue produced a life saving adhesive that was used to treat battle wounds during the Vietnam War.

He hears how medical glues today have transformed the way we heal ourselves. And he learns about research into a new generation of tissue adhesives inspired by sticky, slimy secretions from the natural world.

Contributors:

Chantelle Champagne, University of Alberta

Jeff Karp, Brigham and Women's Hospital through Harvard Medical School

Sound effects: Cup breaks by avakas, from Freesound

Producer: Anand Jagatia

Presenter: Mark Miodownik

Executive Producer: Sasha Feachem

BBC Studios Audio Production

The accidental invention of superglue has saved lives on battlefields and operating tables

Mark Miodownik explores human progress through the sticky substances that have shaped us.

Mark Miodownik explores how the accidental invention of superglue has saved lives on the battlefield and hospital operating tables.

[LISTEN NOW]

The Birth Of Civilisation

20240415

20240919 (R4)
20240921 (R4)

Modern life would quite literally fall apart without glues – they hold our buildings, our phones, even our bodies together. But the story of stickiness runs much deeper than that. In fact, our greatest leaps forward as a species couldn't have happened without adhesives.

In this series, materials scientist Mark Miodownik charts the journey of human progress through the sticky substances that have shaped us. In episode one he explores the very earliest adhesives, dating back at least 190,000 years, that allowed our ancestors to invent, innovate, and make the first tools.

And he hears how lumps of these prehistoric glues contain fragments of the stone age people who used them, trapped in time for thousands of years.

Contributors:

Geeske Langejans, Delft University of Technology

Hannes Schroeder, University of Copenhagen

Executive Producer: Alexandra Feachem

Mark Miodownik explores how glues hold our world together – and how they have shaped our species since the dawn of civilisation.

Mark Miodownik explores human progress through the sticky substances that have shaped us.

How Rubber Changed The World

20240416

20240926 (R4)

In this series, materials scientist Mark Miodownik charts the journey of human progress through the sticky substances that have shaped us.

In episode two he explores how latex, the sticky sap of the rubber tree, transformed the world we live in.

He learns how rubber is an ancient Mesoamerican innovation dating back at least 3,600 years, used by the Olmec people for its incredible stretchiness and bounciness.

Contributors:

Charles Slack, Author and historian

Mike Tarkanian, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Sound effects: DeLorean DMC-12 (V6 PRV engine) by SkyernAklea, from Freesound

Executive Producer: Sasha Feachem

Latex, the sticky sap of the rubber tree, transformed everything in the 19th century.

Mark Miodownik explores how the ancient Mesoamerican innovation of rubber transformed everything in the 19th century.

Mark Miodownik explores human progress through the sticky substances that have shaped us.

How Glues Helped Us Fly

20240417

In this series, materials scientist Mark Miodownik charts the journey of human progress through the sticky substances that have shaped us.

In episode three he explores how adhesives have unlocked radically new designs for aircraft, letting us build planes that flew higher, faster and further than ever before.

He learns how, during WWII, adhesives allowed Britain to build a fighter plane that could outstrip anything else in the sky.

And he hears how glues are used to create the strong and lightweight stuff that planes are made out of today – materials that will be central to the goal of environmentally sustainable flight.

Contributors:

Christopher Wilk, Victoria and Albert Museum

Ginger Gardiner, Composites World

Executive Producer: Sasha Feachem

Some of the biggest revolutions in aircraft design have been down to adhesives.

Mark Miodownik explores how some of the biggest revolutions in aircraft design have been down to adhesives.

War And Wounds

20240418

In this series, materials scientist Mark Miodownik charts the journey of human progress through the sticky substances that have shaped us.

In episode four he explores how the accidental invention of superglue produced a life saving adhesive that was used to treat battle wounds during the Vietnam War.

Contributors:

Chantelle Champagne, University of Alberta

Jeff Karp, Brigham and Women's Hospital through Harvard Medical School

Sound effects: Cup breaks by avakas, from Freesound

Executive Producer: Sasha Feachem

The accidental invention of superglue has saved lives on battlefields and operating tables

Mark Miodownik explores how the accidental invention of superglue has saved lives on the battlefield and hospital operating tables.

05 LAST

Coming Unstuck

20240419

In this series, materials scientist Mark Miodownik charts the journey of human progress through the sticky substances that have shaped us.

In episode five he explores how the sticking power of modern glues – in everything from phones to furniture and planes to wind turbines – pose a problem, because they can't be UNstuck.

He hears how modern electronic devices contain more glue than ever before, making them harder to repair and more likely to end up in landfill. But new designs could make our tech more sustainable.

And he learns about research into reversible glues that can be turned off at the flick of a switch, and how they could change the way we make, fix and recycle our stuff.

Contributors:

Barny Greenland, University of Sussex

Liz Chamberlain, iFixit

Sound effects: scratching_rotten_wall by erpe, from Freesound

Executive Producer: Sasha Feachem

Modern glues are incredibly strong - but are they too good?

Mark Miodownik explores why glues that don't unstick are a problem, and how reversible adhesives will be key to a sustainable future.

Episodes

Episode	Title	First Broadcast	Repeated	Comments
		20240415		[LISTEN NOW]
		20240416		[LISTEN NOW]
		20240417		[LISTEN NOW]
		20240418		[LISTEN NOW]
		20240419		[LISTEN NOW]
	Coming Unstuck	20240419		[LISTEN NOW]
	Coming Unstuck	20240419	20241017 (R4) 20241019 (R4)	In this series, materials scientist Mark Miodownik charts the journey of human progress through the sticky substances that have shaped us. In episode five he explores how the sticking power of modern glues – in everything from phones to furniture and planes to wind turbines – pose a problem, because they can't be UNstuck. He hears how modern electronic devices contain more glue than ever before, making them harder to repair and more likely to end up in landfill. But new designs could make our tech more sustainable. And he learns about research into reversible glues that can be turned off at the flick of a switch, and how they could change the way we make, fix and recycle our stuff. Contributors: Barny Greenland, University of Sussex Liz Chamberlain, iFixit Sound effects: scratching_rotten_wall by erpe, from Freesound Producer: Anand Jagatia Presenter: Mark Miodownik Executive Producer: Sasha Feachem BBC Studios Audio Production Modern glues are incredibly strong - but are they too good? Mark Miodownik explores human progress through the sticky substances that have shaped us. Mark Miodownik explores why glues that don't unstick are a problem, and how reversible adhesives will be key to a sustainable future. [LISTEN NOW]
	How glues helped us fly	20240417		[LISTEN NOW]
	How Glues Helped Us Fly	20240417	20241003 (R4) 20241005 (R4)	In this series, materials scientist Mark Miodownik charts the journey of human progress through the sticky substances that have shaped us. In episode three he explores how adhesives have unlocked radically new designs for aircraft, letting us build planes that flew higher, faster and further than ever before. He learns how, during WWII, adhesives allowed Britain to build a fighter plane that could outstrip anything else in the sky. And he hears how glues are used to create the strong and lightweight stuff that planes are made out of today – materials that will be central to the goal of environmentally sustainable flight. Contributors: Christopher Wilk, Victoria and Albert Museum Ginger Gardiner, Composites World Producer: Anand Jagatia Presenter: Mark Miodownik Executive Producer: Sasha Feachem BBC Studios Audio Production Some of the biggest revolutions in aircraft design have been down to adhesives. Mark Miodownik explores human progress through the sticky substances that have shaped us. Mark Miodownik explores how some of the biggest revolutions in aircraft design have been down to adhesives. [LISTEN NOW]
	How rubber changed the world	20240416		[LISTEN NOW]
	How Rubber Changed The World	20240416	20240926 (R4) 20240928 (R4)	In this series, materials scientist Mark Miodownik charts the journey of human progress through the sticky substances that have shaped us. In episode two he explores how latex, the sticky sap of the rubber tree, transformed the world we live in. He learns how rubber is an ancient Mesoamerican innovation dating back at least 3,600 years, used by the Olmec people for its incredible stretchiness and bounciness. And he hears how scientists of the industrial revolution were captivated by rubber, but struggled to harness its miraculous properties. Eventually, one man would solve this sticky problem – but the quest nearly killed him, and cost him everything he had. Contributors: Charles Slack, Author and historian Mike Tarkanian, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Sound effects: DeLorean DMC-12 (V6 PRV engine) by SkyernAklea, from Freesound Producer: Anand Jagatia Presenter: Mark Miodownik Executive Producer: Sasha Feachem BBC Studios Audio Production Latex, the sticky sap of the rubber tree, transformed everything in the 19th century. Mark Miodownik explores human progress through the sticky substances that have shaped us. Mark Miodownik explores how the ancient Mesoamerican innovation of rubber transformed everything in the 19th century. [LISTEN NOW]
	The Birth of Civilisation	20240415		[LISTEN NOW]
	War and Wounds	20240418		[LISTEN NOW]
	War And Wounds	20240418	20241010 (R4) 20241012 (R4)	In this series, materials scientist Mark Miodownik charts the journey of human progress through the sticky substances that have shaped us. In episode four he explores how the accidental invention of superglue produced a life saving adhesive that was used to treat battle wounds during the Vietnam War. He hears how medical glues today have transformed the way we heal ourselves. And he learns about research into a new generation of tissue adhesives inspired by sticky, slimy secretions from the natural world. Contributors: Chantelle Champagne, University of Alberta Jeff Karp, Brigham and Women's Hospital through Harvard Medical School Sound effects: Cup breaks by avakas, from Freesound Producer: Anand Jagatia Presenter: Mark Miodownik Executive Producer: Sasha Feachem BBC Studios Audio Production The accidental invention of superglue has saved lives on battlefields and operating tables Mark Miodownik explores human progress through the sticky substances that have shaped us. Mark Miodownik explores how the accidental invention of superglue has saved lives on the battlefield and hospital operating tables. [LISTEN NOW]
01	The Birth Of Civilisation	20240415	20240919 (R4) 20240921 (R4)	Modern life would quite literally fall apart without glues – they hold our buildings, our phones, even our bodies together. But the story of stickiness runs much deeper than that. In fact, our greatest leaps forward as a species couldn't have happened without adhesives. In this series, materials scientist Mark Miodownik charts the journey of human progress through the sticky substances that have shaped us. In episode one he explores the very earliest adhesives, dating back at least 190,000 years, that allowed our ancestors to invent, innovate, and make the first tools. And he hears how lumps of these prehistoric glues contain fragments of the stone age people who used them, trapped in time for thousands of years. Contributors: Geeske Langejans, Delft University of Technology Hannes Schroeder, University of Copenhagen Executive Producer: Alexandra Feachem Mark Miodownik explores how glues hold our world together – and how they have shaped our species since the dawn of civilisation. Mark Miodownik explores human progress through the sticky substances that have shaped us.
02	How Rubber Changed The World	20240416	20240926 (R4)	In this series, materials scientist Mark Miodownik charts the journey of human progress through the sticky substances that have shaped us. In episode two he explores how latex, the sticky sap of the rubber tree, transformed the world we live in. He learns how rubber is an ancient Mesoamerican innovation dating back at least 3,600 years, used by the Olmec people for its incredible stretchiness and bounciness. And he hears how scientists of the industrial revolution were captivated by rubber, but struggled to harness its miraculous properties. Eventually, one man would solve this sticky problem – but the quest nearly killed him, and cost him everything he had. Contributors: Charles Slack, Author and historian Mike Tarkanian, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Sound effects: DeLorean DMC-12 (V6 PRV engine) by SkyernAklea, from Freesound Executive Producer: Sasha Feachem Latex, the sticky sap of the rubber tree, transformed everything in the 19th century. Mark Miodownik explores how the ancient Mesoamerican innovation of rubber transformed everything in the 19th century. Mark Miodownik explores human progress through the sticky substances that have shaped us.
03	How Glues Helped Us Fly	20240417		In this series, materials scientist Mark Miodownik charts the journey of human progress through the sticky substances that have shaped us. In episode three he explores how adhesives have unlocked radically new designs for aircraft, letting us build planes that flew higher, faster and further than ever before. He learns how, during WWII, adhesives allowed Britain to build a fighter plane that could outstrip anything else in the sky. And he hears how glues are used to create the strong and lightweight stuff that planes are made out of today – materials that will be central to the goal of environmentally sustainable flight. Contributors: Christopher Wilk, Victoria and Albert Museum Ginger Gardiner, Composites World Executive Producer: Sasha Feachem Some of the biggest revolutions in aircraft design have been down to adhesives. Mark Miodownik explores how some of the biggest revolutions in aircraft design have been down to adhesives.
04	War And Wounds	20240418		In this series, materials scientist Mark Miodownik charts the journey of human progress through the sticky substances that have shaped us. In episode four he explores how the accidental invention of superglue produced a life saving adhesive that was used to treat battle wounds during the Vietnam War. He hears how medical glues today have transformed the way we heal ourselves. And he learns about research into a new generation of tissue adhesives inspired by sticky, slimy secretions from the natural world. Contributors: Chantelle Champagne, University of Alberta Jeff Karp, Brigham and Women's Hospital through Harvard Medical School Sound effects: Cup breaks by avakas, from Freesound Executive Producer: Sasha Feachem The accidental invention of superglue has saved lives on battlefields and operating tables Mark Miodownik explores how the accidental invention of superglue has saved lives on the battlefield and hospital operating tables.
05 LAST	Coming Unstuck	20240419		In this series, materials scientist Mark Miodownik charts the journey of human progress through the sticky substances that have shaped us. In episode five he explores how the sticking power of modern glues – in everything from phones to furniture and planes to wind turbines – pose a problem, because they can't be UNstuck. He hears how modern electronic devices contain more glue than ever before, making them harder to repair and more likely to end up in landfill. But new designs could make our tech more sustainable. And he learns about research into reversible glues that can be turned off at the flick of a switch, and how they could change the way we make, fix and recycle our stuff. Contributors: Barny Greenland, University of Sussex Liz Chamberlain, iFixit Sound effects: scratching_rotten_wall by erpe, from Freesound Executive Producer: Sasha Feachem Modern glues are incredibly strong - but are they too good? Mark Miodownik explores why glues that don't unstick are a problem, and how reversible adhesives will be key to a sustainable future.