Is It True That...?

...We Always Believed in God?

25 min

For as long as we can remember, human beings have expressed belief in higher deities in art, rituals, and rules of behaviour. But is the idea in a higher power innately human? Or was it something we picked up along the way?

...The Library of Alexandria Burned Down?

24 min

The Library of Alexandria was considered a treasure trove of knowledge - and its loss shows how fragile knowledge can be. What has been preserved over thousands of years has often been painstakingly preserved and copied. But whether on parchment, as a manuscript or on microchips - the decisive factor is how we use this heritage to build bridges between the past, present and future.

...Vibrators Were Invented for Female Pleasure?

19 min

According to a widely believed story, the vibrator was the brainchild of male doctors who wanted to treat hysteria with orgasms. But behind this medical origin story lie not only bizarre errors but also aggression. Female pleasure was long considered dangerous, especially when women discovered it for themselves.

...We Used to Die Younger in the Past?

23 min

Advances in agriculture, hygiene and medicine have steadily increased average life expectancy throughout history. But even in the Stone Age, some people reached old age. Was life expectancy really much lower in the past?

...Hitler Invented the Autobahn?

24 min

Many believe that Hitler invented the Autobahn, boosting the German economy and solving unemployment in the process. But this is not actually true. So why do we think it is?

...The Steam Engine Started the Industrial Revolution?

23 min

The steam engine marked the beginning of the fossil fuel era. But was it really this invention that triggered the Industrial Revolution? The search for answers takes us back to ancient times, to China, to Iceland... But never strays far from the coal mines of Great Britain.

...Bartering Was the First Form of Money?

22 min

A world without money? It is hard to imagine - but it did exist. But was bartering really the first form of exchange, with money gradually replacing it? And how did this happen?

...Men Have Always Worn Trousers?

22 min

What does what we wear reveal about our society? Who determines what is considered masculine or feminine? From Antiquity to the present day, this episode looks back at the history of trousers. Both practical and scandalous, how did trousers come to symbolise masculinity?

...Beauty Standards Have Always Been the Same?

23 min

Beauty has shaped our thoughts and feelings from ancient times to the present day. Who do we find attractive? And why? Although many cultures share a similar vision of beauty criteria, there is still immense diversity. But one pattern persists: Attractive people have a clear advantage in life.