Histories

Histories

Home
Notes
History Bookshop
The History of Things
Archive
About
A history of… taxis (Part 2)
18th-century cab passengers had to be on guard against wig-snatchers
 • 
Paul Lenz
3
Today in history: August 29
A king fights at sea, a technological breakthrough, a last man standing…
 • 
Andrew Chapman
A history of… taxis (Part 1)
Early cabs caused a "great disturbance" to Charles I…
 • 
Paul Lenz
Today in history: August 15
The original big Mac; a man, a plan, a canal; and the last of a poet…
 • 
Andrew Chapman
A history of… tattoos (Part 2)
I am not sure that I could stand "Tattowing the buttocks" with "with most stoical resolution" for even 15 minutes…
 • 
Paul Lenz
Today in history: August 1
On this day: high mice, wounded sailors and scouting for publicity…
 • 
Andrew Chapman
1
A history of… tattoos (Part 1)
If you bumped into someone with the words "committed licentious acts two times" tattooed on their face you could be pretty sure what they had been up…
 • 
Paul Lenz
5
'The fixed vision of a monomaniac', 1940
'Drums, flags and loyalty-parades'… plus ça change.
 • 
Andrew Chapman
2
A history of… champagne
If you'd like some more bubbles have you tried adding pigeon's dung?
 • 
Paul Lenz
Histories
Histories
Regular stories from the hidden corners of history. Histories uses the words of those who were there; The History of Things explores aspects of everyday life.
Recommendations
View all 8
A History of Mankind
A History of Mankind
David Roman
Ancient Beat
Ancient Beat
James Fleischmann
Everything Is Amazing
Everything Is Amazing
Mike Sowden
Stone Club
Stone Club
Stone Club
Res Obscura
Res Obscura
Benjamin Breen
Important links
Heritage Hunter
History publications and news
© 2025 Andrew Chapman & Paul Lenz
Privacy ∙ Terms ∙ Collection notice
Start writingGet the app
Substack is the home for great culture