Exploring one of the world's greatest cities
On the 13th March 2020 David Lynch’s masterpiece The Elephant Man was due to be re-released in cinemas, fully restored in 4k definition to honour the film’s 40th anniversary. Sadly, few showings were able to take place due to the onset of the Covid 19 crisis. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZvJuJKOmZAY Shot in atmospheric black and white, The Elephant…
I’m very exited to confirm that I am now selling my own unique mug designs! The robslondon shop now has my first two designs available to buy. I’ve chosen Charles Dickens and the Trellick Tower. These are two of my favourite, ubiquitous London symbols. The mugs are white and glossy with a vivid print of…
During the Cold War the threat of nuclear war was held in check by a perilous doctrine dubbed ‘Mutually Assured Destruction’. The idea behind this was that, because both sides maintained huge stockpiles of nuclear weapons, neither would dare attack the other, for to do so would be suicidal. Rather aptly, this theory was abbreviated to ‘MAD’. …
I am very excited to announce that BBC Radio 4 will shortly be broadcasting a show I co-presented with the wonderful Timandra Harkness. The programme explores some of the effects of modern technology on the brain. Timandra and I recently spent some time in London learning about about the brain, the impact of navigation techniques…
As the Cold War took hold and the devastating power of nuclear weapons became apparent, nations in both the West and East began to build bunkers in anticipation of a Third World War. Due to their purpose, many of these subterranean Cold War bunkers were top secret at the time and their existence continues to…
For many Londoners Waterloo Bridge is a favourite landmark, famed for its panoramic vista which takes in a sweeping view of both Westminster and the city’s financial Square Mile. The view towards Waterloo Bridge In the late 1970s however this beautiful river crossing, along with some other London Cold War sites, gained a far more…
November 2019 marks the 30th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, an event which effectively symbolised the end of the Cold War. Between 1945 and 1989 many cities found themselves under the shadow of the tense stand off between East and West. London was no exception and there are numerous sites in the…
When H.G Wells’ celebrated tale, War of the Worlds, was first serialised in Pearson’s Magazine in 1897, the world was powered by steam and Queen Victoria was still on the throne. Yet Wells had the foresight to envisage an alien invasion of Earth in which ultra-intelligent beings from Mars travel across the gulf of space in…
Update – please note that this exhibition at the National Archives has now finished. However, continue with my post below to see my personal highlights from it. In addition, my further Cold War posts include: * London’s Cold War Spy Locations * London True Crime: The Umbrella Assassination * London’s Cold War Bunkers *Bloomsbury: Where the…
The Romans founded London almost 2000 years ago. Emperor Claudius established Londinium, as it was originally known, between AD43 and AD50. Due to the ravages of time little exists of early Londinium today but, if you know where to look, there are some intriguing pockets of Roman history hidden around London’s historic Square Mile. Take my…
