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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 Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4 in June 2012.

Available now

30 minutes

Last on

Mon 5 Jul 2021 03:30
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4 Extra

Clip

Broadcasts

  • Sat 2 Jun 2012 10:30
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4
  • Mon 15 Oct 2012 11:00
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4
  • Mon 13 Mar 2017 06:30
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4 Extra
  • Mon 13 Mar 2017 13:30
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4 Extra
  • Mon 13 Mar 2017 20:30
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4 Extra
  • Tue 14 Mar 2017 01:30
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4 Extra
  • Thu 1 Jul 2021 14:30
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4 Extra
  • Fri 2 Jul 2021 02:30
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4 Extra
  • Sun 4 Jul 2021 15:30
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4 Extra
  • Mon 5 Jul 2021 03:30
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4 Extra