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Shelf Lives

First broadcast from 19960104 to 20060818.

25 episodes

Series	Episode	Title	First Broadcast	Repeated	Description
198A	01	Tamagotchi	19980101		In the first of six programmes, Nigel Cassidy examines the virtual life and times of the cyberpet which has delighted children and enraged parents all over the world.
198A	02	Baileys Irish Cream	19980108		`Baileys Irish Cream'. Nigel Cassidy tells the story of the unlikely cocktail of cream, whisky and technology that disproved the rule that you should not mix your drinks.
198A	03	Face Saver	19980115		Nigel Cassidy tells the story of the cosmetics brand that changed the face of the beauty business.
198A	04	Mdf	19980122		Nigel Cassidy investigates medium-density fibreboard, the versatile yet controversial material that some say is an improvement on nature.
198A	05	Full Stretch	19980129		Nigel Cassidy tells the story of Lycra, the man-made fibre that is now found everywhere from the gym to the catwalk.
198A	06 LAST	The Cash Machine	19980205		Nigel Cassidy investigates the device which has revolutionised banking.
199D	01	Press One For More Options	19991118		In five programmes Nigel Cassidy traces the curious histories of products and services which shape our lives. 1: `Press One for More Options'. An investigation into one of the most hated features of modern business life - voicemail.
199D	02	Cappuccino Crazy	19991125		In five programmes Nigel Cassidy traces the curious histories of products and services which shape our lives. 2: `Cappuccino Crazy'. Cassidy overdoses on caffeine as he tries to discover why frothy coffee has seemingly become the official drink of New Britain.
199D	03	Not So Fantastic, Please?	19991202		In five programmes Nigel Cassidy traces the curious histories of products and services which shape our lives. 3: `Not So Fantastic, Please?' Cassidy investigates low-maintenance UPVC plastic windows - which have literally changed the face of Britain.
199D	04	Up In Smoke	19991209		In five programmes Nigel Cassidy traces the curious histories of products and services which shape our lives. 4: `Up in Smoke'. Invented to help submarine crews survive weeks without a smoke, nicotine chewing gum and similar products such as the patch have seen sales soar. Cassidy investigates a multimillion pound industry.
199D	05	Potted History	19991216		Nigel Cassidy traces the curious histories of products and services which shape our lives. `Potted History'. The Pot Noodle and similar products are the ultimate in anti-cuisine. Born in the 1960s before the microwave oven was in common use, they still sell in their millions to those who much prefer to watch television cookery programmes than cook for themselves.
	02		20060815		He finds books on Buddhism on the shelves of jazz guitar legend Martin Taylor.
	04		20060817		He visits renowned percussionist Evelyn Glennie at her Cambridgeshire home to browse through her favourite books.
		Programme Catalogue - Details: Disposable Nappies	19960104		Producer: N. KOENIG Next in series: CHRISTMAS TREE SPECIAL Previous in series: CHRISTMAS SPECIAL - BARBIE Broadcast history 04 Jan 1996 20:45-21:00 (RADIO 4) 24 May 1996 08:43-08:58 (RADIO 4) Recorded on 1995-12-18.
		The Christmas Turkey	19981226		`The Christmas Turkey'. Stephen Bayley, Raymond Blanc and Bernard Matthews help Nigel Cassidy uncover the curious history of the bird which is at the centre of a multimillion pound industry.
		The Christmas Tree	20001221		Nigel Cassidy reports on the multimillion pound Christmas tree industry, where peace, goodwill and cut-throat competition reign supreme.
		Pokemania	20001228		In a special Christmas edition, Nigel Cassidy traces the Japanese origins of the Pokemon craze and questions some of the people behind the systematic marketing of a group of products worth billions.
		The Teabag		20010810	Nigel Cassidy traces the curious histories of products and services which shape our lives. He discovers that the teabag, which has almost entirely taken over from loose tea, only really took off because proper tea took too long to make during TV ad breaks.
		The Skip	20011108		Nigel Cassidy meets a man who's furnished his house almost entirely from things he's found in skips.
		Air Conditioning	20011230		`Air Conditioning'. Nigel Cassidy tells the story of the energy-guzzling, all-American invention that environmental protesters say is no longer acceptable.
		The Caravan	20011231	20020101	Nigel Cassidy traces the life and times of the caravan, discovering that the touring van was once the exclusive preserve of adventurous wealthy travellers.
		The Computer Mouse	20020101	20020102	`The Computer Mouse'. Nigel Cassidy goes to Silicon Valley to meet the man who dreamt up the idea of the mouse.
			20060814		1/5. Chris Dolan finds out what people's bookcases say about them. Richard Holloway reveals his inner rebel through a bad-boy children's classic, a romantic philosopher and a poet.
			20060816		3/5. Chris Dolan finds out what people's bookcases say about them. He goes through books that mean a lot to John Sessions
			20060818		5/5. Chris Dolan finds out what people's bookcases say about them. He visits journalist Sheena McDonald to find out what she reads in between war reporting and interviewing politicians.