History Rage

Drones didn’t start in Silicon Valley — they began with Victorians and warDrones feel like the defining weapon of the 21st century — cheap, disposable, and terrifyingly effective. But what if that belief is completely wrong?In this episode of History Rage, aviation historian and journalist Mark Piesing explodes the modern myth surrounding drones and reveals a truth that stretches back more than 120 years. Long before satellites, digital cameras, or GPS, Victorian engineers were already imagining — and building — pilotless weapons designed to change warfare forever.From Nikola Tesla’s radio-controlled boats in the 1890s, to British attack drones planned during the First World War, this episode traces how unmanned warfare evolved through failed experiments, secret Cold War programmes, and nuclear testing — long before the Predator ever flew.Mark explains why the “father of the drone” was a British engineer targeted by German assassins, how Marilyn Monroe began her career on a drone production line, and why US Navy admirals were signing orders for thousands of attack drones before the Battle of Midway. Along the way, Paul and Mark explore why these technologies repeatedly promised to change war — and why military bureaucracy so often held them back.This is not a story of sudden innovation. It’s a story of persistence, secrecy, and ideas far ahead of the technology needed to make them work. And it explains why today’s drone warfare in Ukraine looks eerily familiar to predictions made in 1898.If you think drones are a modern invention, prepare to be very, very angry.Guest: Mark PiesingMark Piesing is an award-winning journalist and aviation historian specialising in unmanned systems, aerospace innovation, and Cold War technology. His work has appeared with the Smithsonian, Royal Aeronautical Society, and major international publications.Read more here: https://markpiesing.com/2025/07/03/i-was-asked-to-write-this-piece-by-history-com-how-drones-have-upended-warfare/Follow & contact MarkTwitter/X: @markpiesingInstagram: @markpiesingwritesFurther listeningHistory Rage Episode 196 – Mark rages against polar explorers: https://pod.fo/e/2c75bdHistory Rage Episode 53 – Nikola Tesla with Iwun Morus: https://pod.fo/e/16c1d5About History RageHistory Rage is the podcast where historians unleash their fury on the myths, half-truths, and bad history we all think we know. Hosted by Paul Bavill, each episode gives an expert one burning misconception to destroy — loudly, passionately, and with evidence.Follow History RageTwitter/X: @HistoryRageInstagram: @historyrageWebsite: www.historyrage.comSupport the PodcastIf you enjoy independent, expert-led history without ads, you can support History Rage in several ways:£3/month – Ad-free listening via Apple Podcasts or Patreon£5/month – Ask questions to future guests and receive the coveted History Rage mug👉 Support the show at patreon.com/historyrageOr simply tell someone else about the podcast — word of mouth keeps History Rage alive.

The Blitz myth shattered: courage, crime, and chaos behind stoicismThe familiar story of Britain’s Blitz—calm, united, unshaken—is one of the most powerful myths of the Second World War. But in this gripping episode of History Rage, historian Joshua Levine dismantles the “Keep Calm and Carry On” narrative and reveals a far more complex reality.Drawing on firsthand accounts and deep archival research, Joshua shows how the Blitz was not a single story of resilience, but a patchwork of human experiences. Alongside genuine moments of solidarity—strangers comforting each other under falling bombs—there were also spikes in crime, looting, black marketeering, and deeply personal tragedies driven by desperation.We explore how wartime propaganda helped shape the enduring myth of the “Blitz Spirit,” promoting unity while downplaying panic, fear, and social tension. Even the iconic “Keep Calm and Carry On” poster was barely used during the war, despite becoming a defining symbol decades later.Joshua also uncovers how the Blitz became a turning point in British society. Class boundaries blurred, communities were reshaped, and people lived with an intensity that led to dramatic social change—including what he provocatively describes as a “first sexual revolution.” At the same time, the government’s response to bombing and homelessness laid early foundations for the modern welfare state.This episode challenges everything you thought you knew about wartime Britain—and replaces myth with nuance, humanity, and truth. 👤 About the GuestJoshua Levine is a leading social historian and author specialising in modern British history and the Second World War.📖 The Secret History of the Blitz Buy your copy here (and support independent bookshops):👉 https://uk.bookshop.org/a/10120/9781398550681🎤 Live Event: Joshua will be speaking at the Imperial War Museum History Festival at IWM Duxford on Saturday 13th June.🎟️ Tickets available here: https://www.iwm.org.uk/events/iwm-duxford/iwm-history-festivalCheck out the IWM Sound Archive at: https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/sound 🎧 Follow History RageStay connected and never miss an episode: 🌐 Website: www.historyrage.com🐦 Twitter/X: @HistoryRage📘 Instagram: @historyrage📩 Email: historyragepod@gmail.com💥 Support the ShowLove what you hear? Become a History Rager on Patreon:👉 £5/month gets you:Entry into the monthly book draw 📚Access to exclusive listener Q&As 🎙️The coveted History Rage mug ☕If you’re tired of oversimplified history, this episode is your antidote—revealing the Blitz as it truly was: messy, contradictory, and profoundly human.

Bletchley Park wasn’t built by one man—and history must stop pretending otherwiseFor most people, Bletchley Park means one thing: Alan Turing, Enigma, and a single heroic breakthrough.That story is neat, cinematic—and deeply misleading.In this episode of History Rage, Paul Bavill is joined by historian, author, and Bletchley Park trustee Sir Dermot Turing to dismantle one of Britain’s most comfortable Second World War myths. What follows is a forensic, passionate unpicking of how thousands of codebreakers—most of them women—have been written out of history.This is not an attack on Alan Turing. It’s a demand for accuracy.Sir Dermot explains why Enigma has become a historical obsession, how it eclipses dozens of other vital ciphers, and why reducing Bletchley Park to a single man does a disservice to everyone involved—including Turing himself. From Spanish and Italian diplomatic codes to Japanese military signals, this episode reveals just how broad, complex, and international the intelligence war really was.Crucially, the conversation exposes how women codebreakers were systematically downgraded by job titles, pay grades, and later historians. Clerical assistants, typists, and “support staff” were in reality performing some of the hardest cryptographic work of the war—often better than the men promoted over them. Figures such as Joan Clarke, Wendy White, Helen Hazelden, Marie Rose Egan, and many others emerge not as footnotes, but as central players.This episode also explores:Why Enigma machines themselves were never the real secretHow civil service bureaucracy distorted the historical recordThe hidden importance of German diplomatic intelligenceWhy Bletchley Park was far messier, more political, and more human than popular culture admitsIf you think you know the story of Bletchley Park, this episode will make you angry—for all the right reasons.About the Guest: Sir Dermot TuringSir Dermot Turing is a historian, author, and trustee of Bletchley Park, specialising in intelligence history and overlooked figures of the Second World War. He is the nephew of Alan Turing and a leading voice challenging simplistic narratives around wartime codebreaking.Recommended Reading📘 Misread Signals: How History Overlooked Women CodebreakersAn essential corrective to the Enigma-centric story, uncovering the vital contributions of women across British intelligence.Available here: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/10120/9781803997933Explore More from History Rage🎧 History Rage is the podcast where historians confront the myths that refuse to die.Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all major platformsFollow History Rage on social media for episode clips, debates, and announcementsSupport the PodcastIf you value independent, ad-free history:£3/month – ad-free listening£5/month – bonus content and the legendary History Rage mug👉 Support the show at patreon.com/historyrage or directly through Apple Podcasts subscriptions.And if you loved this episode?Tell someone. History only changes when the story spreads.

Daniel Defoe wasn’t just a novelist — he helped forge Britain itselfDaniel Defoe is remembered as the author of Robinson Crusoe — but that legacy hides a far more dangerous, politically explosive truth. Long before his novels reshaped literature, Defoe was shaping nations.In this episode of History Rage, Paul Bavill is joined by historian Marc Mierowsky, Fellow and Lecturer in English at the University of Melbourne, to rage against the idea that Defoe was “just” a novelist. Instead, we uncover Defoe as a government propagandist, intelligence agent, and covert operator, working at the very heart of early British state power.Marc reveals how Defoe:Operated as a political fixer and spy for Robert HarleyBuilt one of Britain’s earliest nationwide intelligence and propaganda networksInfiltrated Scottish politics during the crisis years before the 1707 Act of UnionManipulated religious divisions, rebellion, and public opinionHelped sabotage organised resistance to the Union of England and ScotlandThis is a story of dirty tricks, espionage, pamphlet warfare, and political manipulation, all carried out by a man later celebrated as a literary pioneer. It also raises uncomfortable questions about state power, surveillance, and whether the foundations of modern Britain were laid through persuasion — or coercion.If you think you know Daniel Defoe, this episode will leave you furious, fascinated, and questioning everything.About the guestMarc Mierowsky is Fellow and Lecturer in English at the University of Melbourne, specialising in Restoration and early eighteenth-century literature, politics, and espionage. His research focuses on Daniel Defoe’s secret service work, propaganda networks, and the intelligence machinery behind the Anglo-Scottish Union.Marc Mierowsky – links & contactBook: A Spy Amongst Us: Daniel Defoe’s Secret Service and the Plot to End Scottish IndependencePublisher page / book retailers: Available via major academic and online booksellersAffiliation: University of MelbourneWhy this episode mattersDefoe’s story forces us to confront an uncomfortable truth: the modern British state was built using surveillance, propaganda, and manipulation of public opinion. The debates around sovereignty, identity, and union that rage today were already burning in the early 1700s — and Defoe was pouring fuel on the fire.This episode is essential listening for anyone interested in:British historyScottish independence and the Act of UnionEarly modern espionageThe hidden political origins of the novelPropaganda, intelligence, and state powerAbout History RageHistory Rage is the podcast that smashes historical myths and takes cherished assumptions out back and wrecks them. Hosted by Paul Bavill, each episode gives expert historians space to rage about the misconceptions they want destroyed.Follow & contact History RageWebsite: https://historyrage.comTwitter / X: @HistoryRageBluesky: historyrage.bsky.socialEmail: historyragepod@gmail.comSupport the podcastIf you love fearless history without the myths:Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/historyrageApple Subscriptions: Ad-free listening from £3 per month£5 tier: Bonus content and the legendary History Rage mugSupporting the podcast keeps independent, expert-led history alive — and angry.Stay angry.

Discover the Spanish Infanta who reshaped Renaissance power from behind the throne.Step into the glittering courts of 16th-century Europe as historian Professor Magdalena Sánchez joins host Paul Bavill to rage against a stubborn myth: that women only matter in history when they command political power. Catalina Micaela — daughter of Philip II of Spain and Duchess of Savoy — has long been treated as a political footnote. But across 3,000 intimate letters, a forceful, devoted, and highly capable woman emerges: one who shaped diplomacy, managed wars, and commanded a court… while enduring ten pregnancies in thirteen years. Professor Sánchez reveals how Catalina: • Asserted her authority as Infanta of Spain, not merely “a duchess” • Governed Savoy during her husband’s campaigns, acting as his lieutenant • Challenged ministers, criticised generals, and organised court life with precision • Maintained deep emotional connection through constant letter-writing and gift-giving • Balanced political influence with religious devotion and motherhood as central duties This episode uncovers Catalina’s love story, her leadership, and the invisible labour of royal women — all of which historians have too often ignored. If you think only queens and rulers shape history, Catalina will change your mind.Further Listening from the History Rage ArchiveFor more on powerful and underestimated women of Renaissance Europe: • Episode 199 — Catherine de’ Medici with Una McElvenna • Episode 232 — Ruling Queens with Elizabeth Norton About Our Guest – Professor Magdalena SánchezProfessor of History at Gettysburg College and author of: Infanta: The Short Remarkable Life of Catalina Michaela (Yale University Press) — the first major biography to spotlight Catalina’s voice and legacy. 📚 Buy the book Infanta: The Short Remarkable Life of Catalina Michaelahttps://uk.bookshop.org/a/10120/9780300282832Listen, Follow & Support History Rage🎧 New to History Rage? We invite leading historians to vent their anger at the myths we keep getting wrong. Follow for more raging truth: → Search History Rage on Apple Podcasts or your preferred app → Find @HistoryRage on social media (search to connect)💥 Support the show and unlock benefits: • Ad-free listening available via Apple Podcasts subscription at £3/month • Join the £5/month Patreon for monthly livestream access — search History Rage Patreon to subscribe 📣 Love this episode? Tell one friend, one colleague, one fellow history-nerd — and help the rage spread.

Samuel Pepys exposed: secrets, suppression, and the truth behind his diary. Samuel Pepys Was Not What You Think…EXPLICIT CONTENT WARNING - NOT FOR THE FAINT HEARTED!For generations, Samuel Pepys has been portrayed as a witty observer of Restoration London — a charming administrator who documented plague, fire, and naval reform.But what if that version of Pepys wasn’t the full story?In this explosive Gloucester History Festival Special, historian and author Guy de la Bédoyère joins History Rage to challenge the long-standing myth that Pepys was simply “a man of his time.”Drawing on decades of research — including learning Pepys’s original shorthand — Guy reveals how editors suppressed, mistranslated, and obscured disturbing passages from the diary for over 200 years. What You’ll Discover in This EpisodeThis episode goes beyond familiar Pepys anecdotes and digs into the hidden layers of his diary — and the people who shaped how history remembers him.Inside this episode:Why large sections of Pepys’s diary were deliberately removed or mistranslated How 19th- and 20th-century editors shaped the public image of Pepys The truth behind Pepys’s secret use of foreign languages and coded shorthand Why the phrase “a man of his time” can dangerously excuse behaviour Why Pepys’s record remains unique in early modern history Guy explains how Pepys deliberately buried controversial actions within routine daily entries — making them easy to overlook unless carefully decoded. Why This Episode MattersPepys’s diary is one of the most important personal records in English history — documenting events like:The Great Plague of 1665 The Great Fire of London The Restoration of monarchy after the English Civil Wars But Guy argues that understanding Pepys properly means confronting the uncomfortable details — not sanitising them.This episode challenges the idea that historical figures should be excused simply because of the era in which they lived — and asks what happens when historians uncover what earlier editors chose to hide.About the Guest — Guy de la BédoyèreGuy de la Bédoyère is a bestselling historian, broadcaster, and former Time Team presenter.He is widely known for his work on Roman Britain and historical biography, and his latest research focuses on uncovering suppressed truths within Pepys’s writings.📖 Buy the book here: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/10120/9780349147406Purchasing through the History Rage Bookshop helps support both the podcast and independent booksellers.See Guy Live — Gloucester History Festival🎟 Live Event AnnouncementGloucester History Festival 📅 Saturday 18th April 2026 🎤 The Confessions of Samuel PepysGuy will be speaking live about the hidden realities behind Pepys’s diary and answering audience questions.🎟 Get tickets: https://www.gloucesterhistoryfestival.co.uk/events/the-confessions-of-samuel-pepys/Follow History RageStay connected with the podcast and never miss an episode.📱 Follow History RageTwitter/X: https://twitter.com/HistoryRage Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/historyrage Website: https://www.historyrage.com Newsletter: https://historyrage.substack.com/Support the PodcastIf you enjoy History Rage and want to keep the show going, there are several ways to help:⭐ Leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify — it helps others discover the show. 🎧 Share the episode with friends and fellow history lovers. ☕ Support via Patreon — early access, livestreams, and exclusive extras.👉 Join here: https://www.patreon.com/historyrageSubscribers receive:Early episode releases Monthly livestream access Opportunities to submit questions to guests Exclusive History Rage rewards Listen NextIf you enjoyed this episode, you may also like:Episode 241 — Quakers weren’t peaceful outsiders Episode 284 — The forgotten women of the Restoration court Both continue the theme of challenging historical myths and misconceptions.

Titanic myths sink fast when the real evidence finally surfaces.For decades, J. Bruce Ismay has been cast as the Titanic’s cowardly villain—but what if almost everything you think you know is wrong? In this revelatory episode, Paul Bavill is joined by Clifford Ismay, author of Understanding J. Bruce Ismay: The True Story of the Man They Call the Coward of the Titanic, to explore the real man behind the myths.Drawing on family documents, maritime records, witness statements, and newly uncovered letters, Cliff exposes how false press narratives, Hollywood invention, and long-lived conspiracy theories reshaped Ismay’s legacy beyond recognition.What You’ll Learn in This EpisodeWhy the infamous “coward” label doesn’t match documented evidenceHow J. Bruce Ismay actually spent the final hours on the TitanicWhy claims that he forced Captain Smith to speed up are baselessThe truth about “unsinkable” myths and who really said itHow William Randolph Hearst ignited a media assault that changed historyThe bizarre “Olympic switch conspiracy”—and why it’s complete nonsenseHow Ismay lived after the disaster, and why the recluse narrative isn’t trueHow film portrayals from A Night to Remember to Titanic distort the factsThis is Titanic history stripped of melodrama and rebuilt from primary sources—the closest you’ll get to the truth without descending to the wreck yourself.ABOUT THE GUEST – Clifford IsmayClifford Ismay is a maritime historian, museum director, and author specialising in Edwardian shipping history and the legacy of the White Star Line. As a distant relative of J. Bruce Ismay, he brings unparalleled insight into both the man and the myths that engulfed him.Clifford Ismay – Contact & Follow📘 Book: Understanding J. Bruce Ismay👉 Order here: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/10120/9780750998666 Listen Next🎧 Episode 117 – Gareth Russell on Third Class “Locked Below Deck” Myths🎧 Episode 91 – Anne Fletcher on the Widows of the Scott ExpeditionFOLLOW & SUPPORT HISTORY RAGEIf you’re raging right along with us, here’s how to keep the fury flowing:Follow History Rage🐦 Twitter/X: @HistoryRage📸 Instagram: @HistoryRage🌐 Website: https:www.historyrage.com Support the Podcast💷 Apple Podcasts Subscriptions:Ad-free listening for £3/month. Tap Subscribe in the Apple Podcasts app.💷 Patreon:Join for £5/month to getThe monthly live streamExclusive perksThe coveted History Rage mug👉 patreon.com/historyrageSpread the RageIf you enjoyed this episode, tell a friend, share it online, or leave a review. It genuinely helps more listeners discover the show.

The Mercian king history reduced to a ditch—but changed EnglandMost people know Offa of Mercia for one thing: a giant ditch dividing England and Wales. But that familiar image hides a far more powerful—and fascinating—figure.In this episode, host Paul Bavill is joined by Cambridge historian Rory Naismith to challenge the long-standing myth of Offa as a brutal warlord. Instead, we uncover a ruler who helped shape the political, economic, and diplomatic foundations of early England.Why Offa of Mercia deserves a rethinkFor centuries, narratives shaped by sources like the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle have painted Offa as a violent tyrant. But as Rory explains, that version of history is incomplete—and often biased.Look closer, and a different picture emerges:A king who ruled for nearly 40 years, stabilising a vast kingdom A ruler who centralised power across southern England A leader who pioneered systems later used by kings like Alfred the Great Offa wasn’t just surviving—he was building something lasting.More than Offa’s DykeYes, Offa's Dyke is impressive—stretching coast to coast and rivaling Roman engineering in scale. But it wasn’t simply a defensive ditch.It was:A symbol of power and dominance A political statement to neighbouring Welsh kingdoms Part of a wider strategy to control borders and project authority Offa wasn’t just reacting—he was sending a message.The king who connected kingdomsFar from being isolated, Offa operated in a deeply interconnected world.This episode explores:His rivalry and diplomacy with Charlemagne Trade, coinage, and economic reform across his realm A remarkable gold coin linking Mercia to the Islamic world From Rome to Francia, Offa was playing the game of international politics at the highest level.Offa’s real legacyForget the “bloodthirsty conqueror” cliché. Offa’s greatest achievement was something far more significant:Creating a unified system of kingship Bringing together multiple regions under one authority Laying the groundwork for the future kingdom of England Without Offa, the later successes of rulers like Alfred may not have been possible.Listen MoreEpisode 16 – Eleanor Janega on the Dark Ages: https://pod.fo/e/11c7f3Episode 240 – Dirk Hoffman-Becking on the Holy Roman Empire: https://pod.fo/e/3330ceGuest details: Rory NaismithTwitter/X: https://twitter.com/rory_naismith 📚 Buy the book “Offa: King of the Mercians” via the History Rage Bookshop: 👉 https://uk.bookshop.org/a/10120/9780300257465See Rory live🎤 Gloucester History Festival 📅 Sunday 19th April 🎟️ Tickets: https://www.gloucesterhistoryfestival.co.uk/events/anglo-saxon-kings/Follow & support History RageLove the show? Here’s how to keep the rage alive:🔔 Follow History Rage on your podcast platform ⭐ Leave a review on Apple Podcasts & Spotify 📢 Share the episode with a fellow history fan 🌐 Find more episodes and updates via your preferred podcast app Your support helps bring more expert guests and untold stories to the surface.History isn’t just what we’re told—it’s what we question.

The Cambridge Five were not heroes—just dangerous traitors with devastating consequencesThe Cambridge Five have long been shrouded in myth, glamour, and intrigue—but what if the truth is far darker? In this explosive episode of History Rage, host Paul Bavill is joined by journalist, historian, and History Book Buffs co-host Antonia Senior to dismantle one of the most persistent legends of the Cold War.From Kim Philby to Guy Burgess, these men have often been portrayed as charming ideologues or romantic anti-establishment figures. Antonia Senior tears that narrative apart, revealing a group defined not by idealism, but by betrayal, violence, and catastrophic consequences.You’ll discover how these well-connected Cambridge graduates infiltrated the highest levels of British intelligence, why their crimes were overlooked for so long, and how their actions directly served Stalin’s brutal regime. This episode goes beyond the spy story—exposing the human cost, the institutional failures, and the dangerous myths that still persist today.If you think you know the Cambridge Five, think again. What We Cover:Who the Cambridge Five really were—and how they infiltrated British intelligenceWhy they’ve been wrongly romanticised in popular cultureThe devastating impact of their espionage during and after WWIIThe shocking personal behaviour and moral failures behind the mythHow class, privilege, and institutional blind spots enabled their successThe truth about their exposure, confessions, and escapes About the Guest – Antonia Senior: Antonia Senior is a journalist, historian, novelist, and co-host of the History Book Buffs podcast. With a background in intelligence history from Cambridge, she brings deep expertise and sharp analysis to Cold War espionage.Follow Antonia Senior:X (Twitter): @toniseniorPodcast: History Book Buffs (available on all major platforms) Book Recommendation: Antonia’s latest book Stalin’s Apostles uncovers the true story of the Cambridge Five and their role in advancing Soviet strategy.👉 Buy your copy from the History Rage Bookshop: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/10120/9781399727891 Listen Next:Episode 203: Female Intelligence Operatives with Claire Hubbard-HallEpisode 219: Post-War Berlin with Giles Milton Follow & Support History Rage:🔥 Love the show? Join the rage!🎧 Subscribe on your favourite podcast platform⭐ Leave a rating & review on Apple Podcasts to boost visibility📣 Share the episode and spread the rageSupport the Podcast:Patreon (join livestreams & exclusive content): https://www.patreon.com/historyrageApple Subscriptions: Ad-free listening from £3/monthStay Connected:Website: https://historyrage.comNewsletter: https://historyrage.substack.com If you’re tired of history myths and want the truth—raw, unfiltered, and unapologetic—this is the episode for you.