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- [00:00]
A
Think about the last time you had a cancel subscription. There's probably some waiting on hold, some guessing at your password, some mind numbing small talk, and maybe after all that, you still weren't able to cancel it. Good news it doesn't have to be this way. Thanks to Rocket Money, Rocket Money tracks, manages, and can cancel your subscriptions for you. When you connect your accounts, you'll see a complete picture of all your reoccurring subscriptions all in one place. Rocket Money organizes your subscriptions by due date and notifies you when something's coming up, so you'll never be caught off guard when you get charged. If you see a subscription you want to cancel, Rocket Money simplifies the process. Instead of waiting on hold for an hour, you can cancel it right from the app. Rocket Money will even try to get you a refund for the money you spent on subscriptions you forgot about. Stop wasting your time trying to cancel subscriptions the hard way. Make your life easier and go to RocketMoney.com cancel. That's RocketMoney.com cancel or download the app from the Apple app or Google Play stores.
- [01:10]
B
It's January 12, 1828, deep beneath the ground in southeast London. Isambard Kingdom Brunel puffs on a cigar and watches his two laborers standing on a raised platform maneuver a long plank of wood into position. They're 60ft down, working on the first ever tunnel beneath the River Thames. One of the youngest engineers on the project, 21 year old Brunel, is eager to prove himself. His father, Mark Isambard Brunel, is the project's chief designer. But the younger Brunel doesn't want anyone to think he got his job because of that connection. So he works 20 hour shifts, getting only a few hours of sleep every night. Now, in the flickering gaslight, Bruno Brunel watches the workers hammer the plank into the roof of the tunnel. It's dangerous work. Wooden boards like this form a protective shield that is the only barrier between them and the River Thames above. But the men are tired. They've been working all night, and from the tunnel floor, Brunel can see that something isn't right. The new board is askew and silt is trickling through the gap. But before Brunel can warn them, a torrent of gray water bursts through the roof, knocking the men off the platform. Helping them to their feet, Brunel orders everyone out of the tunnel immediately. He knows the breach is irreparable. The only thing that matters now is getting away. They turn and wade through the water which is now gushing around their feet and growing deeper every second. As fast as they can, they head back toward the stairs. Then the flood douses the gas lights and the tunnel is plunged into darkness. Fear, grief grips Brunel. Groping through the waist deep water, he grabs at the scaffolding that lines the tunnel and pulls himself along. But the scaffolding is now being lifted by the churning water. Suddenly the structure flips, crashing down on top of Brunel and pinning him beneath the water. He thrashes as hard as he can, trying to free himself. Twisting and wrenching with increasing desperation, he finally manages to pull free and resurfaces. Gasping for breath, he glimpses a distant light. His only chance is to swim for it. So Brunel kicks through the water, ignoring the pain and exhaustion. And just as his strength begins to fade, Brunel's hand lands on a rope. He holds on for dear life as a sudden surge of water propels him on toward the light.
- [03:37]
Six miners lose their lives in the Thames Tunnel flood. But Isambard Kingdom Brunel is lucky. He's found unconscious outside the tunnel entrance and is carried to safety. While he's lying in a hospital bed, recovering from his injuries, Brunel hears of a competition to design a bridge across the mighty Avon Gorge in Bristol. He immediately begins sketching a complicated structure that will eventually win the commission. But 33 years will pass and the young Brunel will become an icon of the Industrial Revolution before his bridge finally opens on December 8, 1864.
- [04:14]
A quick word before we get to the rest of the show. I know many of you listen to history daily while in the car, which is great. I like keeping you company while you travel. But what if I travel to you? I'm planning a History Daily live show and I might be coming to your town. If you want to be the first to hear about tour dates, special VIP opportunities, and to get a discount on tickets, head to historydailylive.com that's historydailylive.com it's a history daily road trip. Historydailylive.com think about the last time you.
- [04:45]
A
Had a cancel subscription. There's probably some waiting on hold, some guessing at your password, some mind numbing small talk, and maybe after all that, you still weren't able to cancel it. Good news, it doesn't have to be this way. Thanks to Rocket Money. Rocket Money tracks, manages and can cancel your subscriptions for you. When you connect your accounts, you'll see a complete picture of all your reoccurring subscriptions all all in one place. Rocket Money organizes your subscriptions by due date and notifies you when something's coming up, so you'll never be caught off guard when you get charged. If you see a subscription you want to cancel, Rocket Money simplifies the process. Instead of waiting on hold for an hour, you can cancel it right from the app. Rocket Money will even try to get you a refund for the money you spent on subscriptions you forgot about. Stop wasting your time trying to cancel subscriptions the hard way. Make your life easier and go to RocketMoney.com cancel. That's RocketMoney.com cancel or download the app from the Apple App or Google Play.
- [05:43]
C
Stores When you think about businesses that are selling through the roof, Allbirds or Skims. Sure you think about a great product, a cool brand and brilliant marketing. But an often overlooked secret is actually the businesses behind the business making, selling and for the shoppers, buying. Simple. For millions of businesses, that business is Shopify. Nobody does selling better than Shopify, home of the one checkout on the planet. And the not so secret secret with shop pay that boosts conversions up to 50%, meaning way less carts going abandoned and way more sales going. So if you're into growing your business, your commerce platform better be ready to sell wherever your customers are scrolling or strolling on the web, in your store, in their feed and everywhere in between. Businesses that sell more sell on Shopify, upgrade your business and get the same checkout Skims uses. Sign up for your $1 per month trial period at shopify.com audioboom all lowercase go to shopify.com audioboom to upgrade your selling today. Shopify.com audioboom.
- [06:55]
B
Hey, this is Sarah. Look, I'm standing out front of a.m. p.m. Right now and well, you're sweet and all, but I found something more fulfill, even kind of cheesy. But I like it. Sure you met some of my dietary needs, but they've just got it all. So farewell oatmeal. So long you strange soggy break up.
- [07:13]
D
With bland breakfast and taste AM PM's bacon, egg and cheese biscuit made with cage free egg, smoked bacon and melty cheese on a buttery biscuit. AM PM Too much good stuff when.
- [07:24]
C
You think about businesses that are selling through the roof, Allbirds or Skims. Sure you think about a great product, a cool brand and brilliant marketing. But an often overlooked secret is actually the businesses behind the business making, selling and for the shoppers, buying. Simple. For millions of businesses that business is Shopify. Nobody does selling better than Shopify. Home of the number one checkout on the planet. And the not so secret secret with shop pay that boosts conversions up to 50%, meaning way less carts going abandoned and way more sales going. So if you're into growing your business, your commerce platform better be ready to sell wherever your custom are scrolling or strolling on the web, in your store, in their feed and everywhere in between. Businesses that sell more sell on Shopify, upgrade your business and get the same checkout skims uses. Sign up for your $1 per month trial period at shopify.com audioboom all lowercase go to shopify.com audioboom to upgrade your selling today. Shopify.com audiobook audioboom.
- [08:37]
B
From noiser and airship, I'm lindsey graham and this is history. Daily.
- [08:57]
History is made every day on this podcast. Every day we tell the true stories of the people and events that shaped our world. Today is December 8, 1864, the opening of the Clifton Suspension Bridge.
- [09:13]
It's the morning of July 21, 1831 in Bristol, west England, three and a half years after the Thames Tunnel flood. Isambard Kingdom Brunel stands at the edge of the Avon Gorge and peers down to the chasm below. It's a dramatic sight. The steep limestone walls drop almost 300ft to the river, glinting below. And it's here that the 25 year old Brunel plans to build a spectacular bridge. A new crossing over the river Avon has been needed for decades. Bristol is the biggest port on the west coast of England and it's growing fast. But a traditional bridge of arched stone won't do. Tall rigged ships sail up the river from the sea to reach the city's docks. An ordinary bridge would block their way. So Bristol needs something different. A new type of bridge that can soar high above the ships passing below.
- [10:03]
So two years ago, in 1829, an open competition was launched calling for designs and Brunel entered. But he faced stiff competition. The well respected British architect Thomas Telford submitted his own ambitious design for a 400 foot bridge supported by giant Gothic towers. And the expectation was that he would win the commission. But Brunel impressed the judges with a smaller and cheaper bridge featuring ornate and fashionable Egyptian style towers at each end. And in March 1831, his design was chosen. Four months later, construction is about to begin. Gathered at the edge of the cliff are some of Bristol's wealthiest landowners and businessmen. They've all come to witness the first shovel enter the earth. But Very soon after this groundbreaking ceremony, problems begin to mount for the bridge. Legal challenges and funding shortfalls slow the pace of construction before political turmoil throws the future of the entire project into doubt. In London, the House of Lords rejects the second Reform bill, a new law that would give places like Bristol greater representation in Parliament. In response, riots break out in Bristol and the city goes up in flames. Brunel himself volunteers to help quell the riots. And arriving in the center of Bristol, he can't believe his eyes. The grand pillars of the mayor's residence are black. Smoke still billows out of its shattered windows, and smashed statues and bits of furniture lie scattered across its front steps. With two other volunteers, Brunel creeps up to the front door. He grabs a broken chair leg to protect himself before heading inside. But the building is now deserted. Brunel and the others salvage what valuables they can and carry them to the safety of the building next door. The riots are soon brought under control, but lasting damage has been done. And it's not just to the mayor's residence. In the aftermath of this unrest, Bristol is hit with an economic slump and the work on the expensive Clifton suspension bridge is halted indefinitely.
- [12:01]
With construction on hold, Brunel embarks on a grand tour of England. He's seeking both new projects and new inspiration. He travels by coach up the northeast of England, where he designs a new harbor for the River Weir. Then he visits the ancient Durham Cathedral before stopping off near Stockton to inspect the country's first railway suspension bridge. But he's not impressed. With his meticulous eye, he can see that the bridge sags under the weight of passing coal wagons and that the columns supporting it will need replacing. He's certain that his bridge in Clifton, if it ever was completed, will would have been far superior.
- [12:35]
After his visit to the northeast, Brunel then heads across the country and takes his first ever journey on a steam train. Britain's first passenger line opened only a few years ago in 1825. But many more are already planned, and Brunel wants to see this exciting new mode of transport for himself. And as he looks out the carriage window, Brunel marvels at the new technology. But once again, he's sure he can do better. Even at the speed of just 25 miles per hour, the carriage shakes so much that Brunel can't read a book or write any notes. So he begins to imagine a new railroad that would be smoother and faster. What he has in mind won't be cheap, though. But Brunel thinks he knows just where to find the right investors. Because he knows Bristol has been facing growing competition from other ports. Brunel believes he can use that to his advantage if it will help protect their businesses. Bristol's wealthy merchants will surely invest in a railroad linking their city with London. So Brunel returns to Bristol. His bridge upon the Avon Gorge will remain unfinished. But soon Brunel will have a far greater project to occupy him instead, one that will transform the landscape of England itself and make Isambard Kingdom Brunel a legend in his own time.
- [13:50]
A
You really want to be better with your finances. You try to put money away in savings. You look for deals. You wrote out a budget once, a long time ago, you still overdraft from time to time, and you still have debt. The truth is, managing money is not easy. But Rocket Money can help. Rocket Money shows you exactly what you're spending every month. From there, the app helps you make a budget that meets your financial goals. The app even gives you real time alerts when you're about to go over your budget so you don't spend too much. With Rocket Money. You can also see all your subscriptions at a glance and cancel the ones you don't want right from the app. Rocket Money can even try to get you a refund for some of the money wasted. Plus you can use the Smart Savings feature to start putting more money away. Rocket Money analyzes your accounts to determine the optimal time to stow away cash without going over your budget. Our members report that the Rocket Money app save more than $700 a year. Getting better with money doesn't have to be a pipe dream. Rocket Money can make it a reality. Go to RocketMoney.com cancel or download the app from the Apple app or Google Play stores.
- [14:50]
C
When you think about businesses that are selling through the roof, allbirds or skims. Sure you think about a great product, a cool brand and brilliant marketing. But an often overlooked secret is actually the businesses behind the business making selling and for the shoppers, buying Simple. For millions of businesses, that business is Shopify. Nobody does selling better than Shopify, home of the number one checkout on the planet. And the not so secret with shop pay that boosts conversions up to 50%, meaning way less carts going abandoned and way more sales going. So if you're into growing your business, your commerce platform better be ready to sell wherever your customers are scrolling or strolling on the web, in your store, in their feed, and everywhere in between. Businesses that sell more sell on Shopify, upgrade your business and get the same checkout skims uses Sign up for your $1 per month trial period at shopify.com audioboom all lowercase go to shopify.com audioboom to upgrade your selling today shopify.com audioboom.
- [16:00]
B
What do you think makes the perfect snack?
- [16:02]
D
Hmm, it's gotta be when I'm really craving it and it's convenient.
- [16:05]
E
Could you be more specific when it's cravenient?
- [16:08]
B
Okay, like a freshly baked cookie made.
- [16:10]
D
With real butter available right down the street at a.m. p.m. Or a savory breakfast sandwich I can grab in just.
- [16:15]
B
A second at a.m. p.m. I'm seeing a pattern here.
- [16:17]
D
Well yeah, we're talking about what I.
- [16:19]
B
Crave, which is anything from ampm. What more could you want?
- [16:22]
D
Stop by AMPM where the snacks and drinks are perfectly craveable and convenient. That's cravenience AM PM Too much good stuff. If you're a maintenance supervisor for a commercial property, you've had to deal with everything from leaky faucets to flickering light bulbs. But nothing's worse than that ancient boiler that's lived in the building since the day it was built 50 years ago. It's enough to make anyone lose their cool. That's where Grainger comes in. With industrial grade products and dependable, fast delivery, Grainger can help with any challenge, from worn out components to everyday necessities. Call click grainger.com or just stop by Grainger for the ones who get it done.
- [17:09]
B
It's the morning of March 6, 1833, on a stagecoach from London to Bristol, a year and a half after construction stopped on the Clifton Suspension Bridge. Isambard Kingdom Brunel sits outside at the back of the coach, blinking against the dirt and dust whipping across his face. This is the cheapest seat on board, but that's not why Brunel chose it. He's surveying the land, taking note of every hill, valley and stream they pass, deciphering the landscape. For his next project, the Great Western Railway, Brunel plans to link London with the port city of Bristol. But if this ambitious idea is to become a reality, he'll need to show potential investors the plans are feasible. So Brunel is traveling by horseback and coach back and forth along his intended route, stopping only for a few hours every night at secluded inns. He often works into the small hours of the morning, noting down endless gradients and measurements before getting up and doing it all over again. Finally, after months of this exhausting work, Brunel presents his survey to his investors in Bristol. The line will be 116 miles long and cost 2.5 million pounds, a phenomenal amount of money in the early 1830s. Still, the project is so compelling that Brunel soon has all the investors he needs. The only obstacle that now stands in his way is is Parliament. The new railroad needs the approval of the government to go ahead. Some members of Parliament oppose the project, though, fearing it will put canal and stagecoach owners out of business. But when Brunel is summoned to London in the summer of 1835, he has answers for every question the politicians pose. His encyclopedic knowledge of the English countryside and the principles of engineering win over most of the skeptics. And on August 31, 1835, the Great Western Railway bill is passed. Construction gets underway. Shortly after.
- [18:59]
Brunel employs thousands of laborers to carve his new railroad through the English countryside. Apart from some water pumps and gunpowder for breaking through rock, the entire track is built by hand. It's exhausting and often dangerous work, and hundreds of workers are killed during the construction. Many are crushed by falling rocks. They fall into deep shafts or are blown apart by explosions. But Brunel is apparently unconcerned by the growing list of casualties. To him, building something magnificent is worth the sacrifice. Brunel himself never stops working and never stops dreaming. Before the railway line is even finished, Brunel has another grand he pitches it to more investors. They should extend the railroad across the Atlantic. He's not suggesting an enormous transcontinental bridge. Instead, he wants the Great Western Railway to connect directly with a steamboat that can carry passengers onto New York. The steamship has never crossed the Atlantic before, but Brunel becomes increasingly obsessed with the idea. He commissions a designer and a shipbuilder and by March 1838, his SS Great Western is ready. Brunel is on board for its maiden voyage. But as the paddle wheeled steamship approaches Bristol to pick up its first paying passengers, Brunel notices thick black smoke billowing out of its funnel. There's a fire in the engine room and within minutes the deck is alight. In the confusion that follows, Brunel falls, dislocating his shoulder and breaking his leg. Deckhands quickly wrap Brunel up in a sail and lower him to a lifeboat that rows him to safety ashore. Both Brunel and the Great Western survived the fire, but more than 50 passengers cancel their bookings on the first quarter crossing. When the steamship finally does set off for New York, just seven passengers are on board. It's not a promising start, but the ship safely arrives in America two weeks later and ushers in a new era of travel. People can now book a single ticket that will take them all the way from London to New York, making the world a little smaller, thanks to Brunel's vision. But of course, he is still not satisfied. As Brunel recovers from his injuries, he gets to work designing an even bigger steamship that he dubs the SS Great Britain. Its launch in 1843 will be a landmark in maritime history. The first oceangoing ship with both an iron hull and a screw propeller. Armed with his trademark black stovepipe hat and an endless supply of cigars, Brunel will continue to push himself, summoning up ambitious new plans to revolutionize public transportation and engineering. But he won't live to see all his grand dreams come true. And one project from early in his career that he left frustratingly unfinished will eventually become a monument to his genius.
- [21:48]
A
Okay, it's kind of embarrassing how bad I am at budgeting.
- [21:51]
E
Let me see your charges.
- [21:53]
A
Ugh, fine.
- [21:53]
E
You spent over $600 on takeout last month.
- [21:56]
A
I can't cook. You know this.
- [21:58]
E
Yes, I have had your disgusting food, but you're literally paying for a meal subscription on top of that.
- [22:04]
A
Whoa, wait, wait, wait. I. That can't be right.
- [22:06]
E
Look, just get Rocket Money. It shows you all of your expenses in one place and even tracks your subscriptions. And if there's a subscription you don't want, which for you, there are a lot you don't need, you can just cancel right in the app with a few taps.
- [22:19]
A
So you mean I don't have to call anyone to cancel? Nope.
- [22:22]
E
No hold times or anything. And they'll even try to get you a refund on some of the months of wasted money, which is a lot of money for you.
- [22:30]
A
Okay? Okay.
- [22:31]
E
And if you thought I was done, I'm not. The app can also help you make a budget that works for your income. Anytime you get close to your spending limits, it alerts you so you know exactly where your money is going at all times.
- [22:41]
A
All right, Emin, what do I have to do?
- [22:43]
E
Go to RocketMoney.com cancel or download the app from the Apple or Google Play stores.
- [22:49]
D
If you're a maintenance supervisor for a commercial property, you've had to deal with everything from leaky faucets to flickering light bulbs. But nothing's worse than that ancient boiler that's lived in the building since the day it was built 50 years ago. It's enough to make anyone lose their cool. That's where Grainger comes in with industrial grade products and Dependable, fast delivery, Grainger can help with any challenge, from worn out components to everyday necessities. Call clickgrainger.com or just stop by Grainger for the ones who get it done. If you're the purchasing manager at a manufacturing plant, you know having a trusted partner makes all the difference. That's why, hands down, you count on Grainger for auto reordering. With on time restocks, your team will have the cut resistant gloves they need at the start of their shift and you can end your day knowing they've got safety well in hand. Call 1-800-GRAINGER clickgrainger.com or just stop by Grainger for the ones who get it done.
- [23:49]
E
If you're an H Vac technician and a call comes in, Grainger knows that you need a partner that helps you find the right product fast and hassle free. And you know that when the first problem of the day is a clanking blower motor, there's no need to break a sweat. With Grainger's easy to use website and product details, you're confident you'll soon have everything humming right along. Call 1-800-GRAINGER Click grainger.com or just stop by Grainger for the ones who get it done.
- [24:28]
B
It's December 8, 1864, in Bristol, England, 33 years after construction began on the Clifton Suspension Bridge. A young boy climbs a rock at the edge of the Avon Gorge, trying to get a better view. There's a huge crowd around him on the cliffside. They haven't been put off by the cold weather or the light rain swirling through the air. And in fact, to the boy, it seems like the whole of Bristol has come out to celebrate. Stretching across the gorge in front of him are the sweeping chains and the tall square towers of the now finely complete Clifton Suspension Bridge. The boy watches as tradesmen, engineers and uniformed soldiers parade across the bridge. But one person is missing. The man who designed it is Embark Kingdom Brunel. Brunel died from a stroke five years ago at the age of just 53. By then, the Clifton Suspension Bridge had been on hold for years. It was only after Brunel's death that there was finally a push to finish it. Some changes have been made to the original plans, strengthening the ironwork and dropping the original Egyptian decorations on the towers. But the core of the design is pure Brunel and it now stands as a spectacular monument to Brunel's ingenuity. But it's far from the only one. Brunel's legacy is etched into the landscape of Britain. During his lifetime he laid over a thousand miles of railroad and designed more than a hundred bridges. He revolutionized ship design and even built an innovative prefab military hospital for use in the Crimean War. Later he will be recognized as one of Victoria and Britain's most important figures and he will forever remain an icon of the country's industrial heritage. As for the Clifton Suspension Bridge, it will continue to carry millions of people across Avon Gorge every year year and it will be treasured as one of the symbols of the city of Bristol as it was from the moment it opened on December 8, 1864.
- [26:25]
Next on History Daily December 9, 1967 in the middle of a performance in New Haven, Connecticut, the Door Singer Jim Morrison is arrested.
- [26:37]
From noiser and airshift. This is History Daily Hosted, edited and executive produced by me, Lindsey Graham Audio editing by Mohammed Shazi Sound design by Molly Bach Music by Thrum this episode is written and researched By Angus Gavin McClary Edited by William Simpson Managing Producer Emily Byrne Executive producers are William Simpson for Airship and Pascal Hughes for Nouser.
- [27:07]
Believe me, the family that takes the Internet on vacation.
- [27:13]
Is the family that finds a better beach.
- [27:16]
In peak crab mating season.
- [27:20]
Be prepared for anything with an ESIM from Airalo. An eSIM is a digital SIM card built into your phone. Download the Airalo app, activate your ESIM and get online in minutes, anytime, anywhere. No more surprising roaming fees, weird public wi fi or fiddly plastic. Just super connectivity at your fingertips. That's Airalo. A I r a L O the world's most powerful ESIM provider, loved by 20 million savvy vacationers. It's as essential as packing your bathing suit for the beach. Don't get caught in a pinch. Pack the Internet, download Airalo today. That's a I r A L O Airalo and use code crab for 15% off your first ESIM terms apply. What do you think makes the perfect snack?
- [28:07]
D
Hmm, it's gotta be when I'm really craving it and it's convenient.
- [28:10]
B
Could you be more specific? When it's cravinient.
- [28:13]
C
Okay.
- [28:14]
B
Like a freshly baked cookie made with.
- [28:15]
D
Real butter, available right down the street at a.m. p.m. Or a savory breakfast.
- [28:19]
B
Sandwich I can grab in just a second at a.m. pM. I'm seeing a pattern here.
- [28:22]
D
Well, yeah, we're talking about what I.
- [28:24]
B
Crave, which is anything from am pm. What more could you want?
- [28:27]
D
Stop by AM PM where the snacks and drinks are perfectly craven.
- [28:32]
That's cravenience. AM PM Too much good stuff.
- [28:58]
E
De ofertas incre Ibles de marcas top como even flow, Graco, Britax, Breville, Nespresso, Kitchenaid, le cruschette y muchas mas perrotines que tuar rapido corchecada oferta e sunica sives algo qute encanta agregalo. Tu carrito ante que de paresca puede que.
- [29:17]
Siestasir visitas os implemented andot rebel.
- [29:26]
Asta sitenta porciento de descento comparte allegria, navidena grandesa or Rosen from Revelpunto com sos from Erebel com.