BBC Radio 4 Extra

Noise: A Human History: The Conquering Engines

The Conquering Engines: Industrial Revolution

The Conquering Engines

Noise: A Human History

BBC Radio 4 Extra - Noise: A Human History, The Conquering Engines

Prof David Hendy explores how the sounds of nature gave way to the industrial revolution.

David Hendy explores the work of the writer David Thoreau, and how the sounds of nature gave way before the industrial din.

Henry David Thoreau is one of history's great listeners. His classic work Walden is dense with descriptions of the natural sounds he discovered when he swapped his Concord home for a simple cabin in the woods. But his peace was disturbed by a noise that presaged the age to come: the snort of the iron horse. 

Professor David Hendy of the University of Sussex explains how the sounds of nature gave way before the industrial din.

30-part series made in collaboration with the British Library Sound Archive.

Signature tune composed by Joe Acheson. 
Producer: Matt Thompson
A Rockethouse production for BBC Radio 4.

Your digital radio entertainment station showcasing the best in comedy and drama

Your digital radio entertainment station showcasing the best in comedy and drama. With recent favourites from BBC Radio 4.

Documentaries

Factual: History

Prof David Hendy on the role of sound and listening in 100,000 years of human history.

Prof David Hendy presents a 30-part series exploring the role of sound, and listening, in the past 100,000 years of human history.

BBC Radio 4

BBC Radio 4 is a radio channel that started transmitting on the 30th September 1967. It replaced BBC Home Service.

Accessibility links

Programme Index

Noise: A Human History

The Conquering Engines

Genres

Series

BBC Radio 4 Extra

About BBC Radio 4 Extra