Sir Clive Sinclair was a computer whizz and business mogul to rival Steve Jobs or Bill Gates. He was a visionary who could do no wrong... until he tried to launch an electric vehicle. The C5 “electrically assisted pedal cycle" doesn't seem so outlandish to us now... but 1985 just …
It was a revolutionary design by a visionary technologist... but 1985 just wasn't ready for the Sinclair C5.
When Disneyland released one million helium balloons to set a new world record, Cleveland, Ohio looked on in envy. Could it top the Magic Kingdom? What did citizens hope to gain from getting into the record books... and at what cost? This is a special **Cautionary Tales Short** \- a …
The proud people of Cleveland wanted to set a world record... but why and at what cost?
With its splendid modern architecture, the Hyatt Regency was _the_ place to be seen in Kansas City in 1981. Beneath space-age walkways, guests drank, laughed and danced... not realizing that the 60 tons of of glass, concrete and steel hanging above their heads was about to come crashing down. One …
How one tiny error brought 60 tons of glass, concrete and steel crashing down on a packed hotel lobby.
As we're getting ready for our new season, coming next week, we're sharing an episode from Pushkin's newest show, What's Your Problem?
While we're getting ready to premiere our new season next week, check out Pushkin's newest show, What's Your Problem? In this preview, Tim talks to former Planet Money host Jacob Goldstein about the entrepreneurs interviewed on the show, the future they’re trying to build—and the problems they have to solve …
Cautionary Tales Brings You New Episodes Every Other Friday from March 25th
The greatest mistakes, disasters and fiascos of the past aren't just gripping stories... they're also warnings from which we all can learn. Cautionary Tales with Tim Harford returns EVERY OTHER FRIDAY FROM MARCH 25th to chronicle the defeats of mighty armies, the destruction of business empires and the deadly eruptions …
Introducing you to the Endless Thread Podcast with Cautionary Tales host Tim Hartford
While we're working away on new episodes for Season 3, check out Endless Thread, a podcast from WBUR. Endless Thread reveals untold histories, unsolved mysteries, and other wild stories from the internet. They recently did a whole series on internet memes. In this episode, we hear the little-known origin story …
Introducing you to the New Bazaar Podcast with Cautionary Tales host Tim Hartford
This week, we're sharing a podcast you might like. The New Bazaar is made by our friends over at Bazaar Audio. In each episode, the brilliant host Cardiff Garcia talks to a guest about the way the economy shapes our lives, and how our choices are reflected back onto the …
Introducing you to the New Bazaar Podcast with Cautionary Tales host Tim Hartford
This week, we're sharing a special preview of the new season of Pushkin's show Lost Hills: Dead in the Water. Lost Hills investigates the dark side of Malibu, California. Beneath a seductive facade, this city of billionaires, celebrities, and surf bums is hiding something menacing. Season 2 takes place in …
Sharing a special preview of the new season of Pushkin's show Lost Hills: Dead in the Water. Lost Hills investigates the dark side of Malibu, California. Beneath a seductive facade, this city of billionaires, celebrities, and surf bums is hiding something menacing.
Presenting: An Excerpt from Miracle And Wonder: Conversations With Paul Simon by Malcolm Gladwell and Bruce Headlam.
Did poison, radiation or a deadly fungus kill those who entered the pharaoh's tomb? Or was it a curse?
Disturbing the remains of the Egyptian pharaohs is known to incur a deadly curse, so why did a team of archeologists still risk inciting the wrath of King Tutankhamun by entering his burial chamber? And how many of them met a premature end for their impudence? Learn more about your …