The Curious Cases of Rutherford and Fry

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The Curious Cases of Rutherford & Fry

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Factual: Science & Nature

Factual: Science & Nature: Science & Technology

Science sleuths Dr Adam Rutherford and Dr Hannah Fry investigate everyday mysteries.

Science sleuths Dr Adam Rutherford and Dr Hannah Fry investigate everyday mysteries sent by listeners.

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The Curious Cases of Rutherford & Fry: Series 14: A Frytful Scare Part 2

A Frytful Scare Part 2

Series 14

BBC Radio 4 - The Curious Cases of Rutherford & Fry, Series 14, A Frytful Scare Part 2

Rutherford and Fry board a rollercoaster to investigate why we enjoy being scared

Why do we love rollercoasters? Science sleuths Drs Rutherford and Fry investigate. From 2019.

Rutherford and Fry delve into the history of roller coasters in the second instalment of their investigation into why we enjoy being scared. 

Amelie Xenakis asks: "Why do people enjoy rollercoasters? I am a thrill-seeker and I am always terrified before riding a roller coaster but I enjoy the ride itself. (I would like BOTH of you to ride a roller coaster if possible)."

Never ones to shy away from a challenge, the pair attempt to channel their inner adrenaline junkies with a trip on one the UK's scariest rollercoasters at Thorpe Park.

They discover the birth of the roller coaster in the 18th century, when Catherine the Great enjoyed careering down Russian Ice Mountains covered in snow. Adam talks to scary sociologist Margee Kerr, author of 'Scream! The Science of Fear', about how the modern roller coaster evolved.

David Poeppel from New York University studies the science of screaming, and we discover what makes screams uniquely terrifying. Plus, psychologist and broadcaster Claudia Hammond describes some early experiments which tested how fear affects our body.

Presenters: Adam Rutherford, Hannah Fry
Producer: Michelle Martin

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2019.

The Curious Cases of Rutherford & Fry: Series 14

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.

Dr Adam Rutherford and Dr Hannah Fry investigate science mysteries sent by listeners.

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The Curious Cases of Rutherford & Fry

Series 14

A Frytful Scare Part 2

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