The Golden Thread

Original version

BBC Radio 4 LW

BBC Radio 4 Extra

BBC Radio 4 FM

The Golden Thread: 5. Space and Swimming Suits

5. Space and Swimming Suits

BBC Radio 4 - The Golden Thread, 5. Space and Swimming Suits

The fabrics used to dress astronauts and champion swimmers.

How the Playtex women made clothes for the Apollo 11 team and rows over Olympic swimming suits. Concluded by Francesca Dymond.

Discover the surprising expertise behind Neil Armstrong's space suit and the technological developments that have allowed records to be smashed in swimming events.

Kassia St Clair concludes her survey of the fabrics that have shaped our world.

Abridged by Laurence Wareing.

Read by Francesca Dymond.

Producer: Eilidh McCreadie

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2018

BBC Radio 4

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

Factual: Science & Nature

By Kassia St Clair. The story of how fabrics have changed and shaped the world we live in.

Journalist Kassia St Clair uncovers the fascinating stories of how fabrics have shaped the world we live in.

Accessibility links

Programme Index

The Golden Thread

5. Space and Swimming Suits

Genres

Series

BBC Radio 4 LW

About BBC Radio 4