Martin Fone

Why do stars twinkle?

'Twinkle twinkle little star' isn't just a nursery rhyme: it's an astronomical phenomenon. But what causes it? Martin Fone takes a look at why stars twinkle.

What is an aspidistra? Why do you never see them any more? And will they ever fly again?

The aspidistra was once the most popular of all houseplants in Britain, but these days they're barely seen. Why did that happen, asks Martin Fone, and can it make a comeback?

How Alexandra Palace has survived fires, bankruptcy and even gang warfare in 150 years as London's 'palace of the people'

Alexandra Palace has suffered every imaginable disaster, yet remains enduringly popular even a century and a half after its official grand opening. Martin Fone takes a look at the history of one of Britain's great public buildings.

Curious Questions: Are rainbows actually circular?

Martin Fone delves into the science — and art — of the rainbow.

Curious Questions: How do you tell the difference between a British bluebell and a Spanish bluebell?

Martin Fone delves into the beautiful bluebell, one of the great sights of Spring.

The British-grown fruit once as common as the apple that's almost completely disappeared in just 50 years

Curious Questions: Why do Polo mints have a hole in the middle?

Polos are famous as the mints with the hole — and have been since they were launched 75 years ago. But why did they get a hole in the first place? Martin Fone finds out.

Who opened the first ever department store?

Forget the mid-19th century institutions of Harrods, Macy's or Bloomingdale's — the oldest department store in the world was founded in London in the 1780s. Martin Fone tells the story of Harding, Howell’s & Co Grand Fashionable Magazine.

What's the difference between a labyrinth and a maze?

You may never have thought to ponder what distinguishes a labyrinth from a maze. But as Martin Fone explains, it's something of a minefield.

Curious Questions: Can you hear the Northern Lights?

The Northern Lights — or Aurora Borealis — are among the planet's most extraordinary natural phenomena. Even stranger than their ethereal glow, however, is the fact that they can be heard as well as seen. Martin Fone explains more.

The first-ever vinyl LP turns 75 this year

Music-lovers who replaced their records with CDs three decades ago can still barely believe vinyl's unlikely resurgence — but the fresh interest in this old medium is still going as the first ever vinyl LP turns 75. Martin Fone charts the history of vinyl long-play records.

Why is pancake day called 'Shrove Tuesday'?

Martin Fone investigates how Shrove Tuesday got its name — and also unveils the history of the day that precedes it, Collop Monday.

Curious Questions: Why do we call a waterproof rain coat a mackintosh?

Scotland has turned out endless inventors of great genius in the past few hundred years, and Charles Macintosh — the man who brought waterproof clothing to the world — was as successful as any of them. Martin Fone tells his story.

What is witches' broom, and how does it form?

Martin Fone looks into one of the most curious — and curiously named — natural phenomena visible on a country walk in Britain.

Curious Questions: Can you trust expiry dates on food?

Best before and use-by dates claim to show us when our food is likely to have gone off — but how are they figured out, how did we do without them, and do we really need them? Martin Fone investigates and finds a tale of dodgy food, dodgier dates, and an unlikely side-hustle run by the legendary gangster Al Capone.

Do Brussels sprouts come from Brussels in Belgium?

As healthy as they are divisive, Martin Fone takes a look at the humble Brussels sprout. Why do we eat them at Christmas? Does anybody eat them during the rest of the year? And do they really come from Brussels?

Who started the first charity shop?

Charity shops have become a staple of British high streets in the past decade, and more and more of us are doing our shopping there — particularly as times are tight. But what's the story behind them? Martin Fone unearths the history of the charity shop.

Curious Questions: Is there a 'right' way up to use aluminium foil?

As we prepare to embark upon the season of wrapping leftover foodstuffs, Martin Fone answers a question that's been bugging us for years: is it dull side up and shiny side down, or the other way around?

Curious Questions: Did mince pies really once contain meat?

Martin Fone investigates the most traditional seasonal food of all: mince pies.

How do sycamore seeds spin?

A chance encounter with Nature's answer to the helicopter prompts Martin Fone to ponder how sycamore seeds managed to fall to earth so gracefully.