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Smile

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BBC Radio 4 Extra - Smile

Kate Williams explores the history and development of the modern winning smile

Kate Williams explores the history of the modern winning smile - from a sign of madness to a political weapon. From 2012.

Kate Williams goes in search of the modern winning smile

Used in many different and persuasive ways, from beautiful people beaming down from billboards to politicians vying to win our votes - the broad and confident smile is very much at the centre of communication in today's society. 

Yet open mouthed smiling can also be deemed a sign of madness – or simply undignified.

Historian and author Kate discovers the impact of dentistry and films on our changing relationship with our smiles along with role gender and culture play.

Why do most of us hate smiling in photographs? Discover why Jenni Murray would never broadcast without one.

Producer: Andrea Kidd

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 2012.

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.

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

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