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26/12/2008

Adam Hart-Davis explores the history of the technology of Christmas, with balloons, stars and a stockingful of toys.

Adam Hart-Davis explores the history of the technology of Christmas, with balloons, stars and a stockingful of toys.

He travels to the town of Lauscha in Germany, where glass baubles are still blown by hand, a tradition that goes back to the mid-1830s. Adam finds a dizzying description of the first Christmas tree lit by electric light bulbs, looks at X-rays of teddy bear skeletons and pulls a cracker in the name of scientific investigation.

Available now

30 minutes

Last on

Wed 30 Dec 2009 21:00

Broadcasts

  • Boxing Day 2008 11:00
  • Wed 30 Dec 2009 21:00