THE THUMB!

In this latest episode, the Unexpected duo, Professor James Daybell and Dr Sam Willis inspired by real life events uncover the unexpected history of THE THUMB! Which is all torture, extraction of confessions and leaning on people (via slave owners, witches, the Gestapo, mobsters and early modern Scotland), and gladiatorial combat! It’s also all about hitchhiking, hand gestures and the folklore tale of Tom Thumb and Charles Sherwood Stratton, AKA "General Tom Thumb" the US stage performer discovered by P.T. Barnum,! Who knew! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Om Podcasten

Histories of the Unexpected explores the past in ways that you never dreamt possible. Surely there’s nothing unexpected about the past? About History? Aha, well Histories of the Unexpected adopts a new approach to exploring our past. Gone is the traditional linear plotting of battles, monarchs and political movements. Histories of the Unexpected argues that everything has a history, even the most unexpected of subjects. Like SLIME. Or COURAGE. or APPLAUSE.... Presented by Dr Sam Willis and Professor James Daybell. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.