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2. Beards

Helen Arney and Dr Kat Arney explore the Victorian legacy: why did beards explode under Queen Victoria? From 2017.

It's the most celebrated period of British ingenuity, but are our Victorian forebears due a rethink?

Sci-curious sisters Kat and Helen Arney are on hand with some revisionist revelations that could turn what we think we know completely upside down.

The current fad for furry face furniture can be traced back to the Victorians. If you think we're at Peak Beard today - think again!

But the growth of facial hair isn't a straightforward story.

In 1840 beards were derided and only one MP dared to sport one.

Just 50 years later, before the end of the century, nearly every man in the public eye had bearded up.

Why did beards explode under Queen Victoria? And is it true that beards can be good for health?

Helen and Kat are hunting for the hairy truth.

A Hat Trick production for 主播大秀 Radio 4, first broadcast in April 2017.

Available now

14 minutes

Last on

Tuesday 09:30

Broadcasts

  • Tue 4 Apr 2017 13:45
  • Thu 9 Aug 2018 09:30
  • Tue 17 Mar 2020 14:15
  • Wed 18 Mar 2020 02:15
  • Tuesday 09:30