The Great Stink: When London Reeked of Desperation

Send us Fan MailSo close your eyes and imagine this: you're trapped inside a porta potty at the peak of summer—it's hot, humid, and full. Now imagine the entire city of London smelling like that for weeks. That was real life in the summer of 1858.In this nose-wrinkling, eye-watering episode of Info On The Go, Kat and William take you deep into the putrid heart of one of the most revolting public health disasters in history: The Great Stink of London.What caused it? A boiling River Thames turned open sewer. Overflowing cesspools. Exploding methane gas. A government nearly run out of its own Parliament building by the stench. Working-class families choking on toxic air, while Victorian doctors blamed “bad smells” for deadly diseases like cholera.And then—enter a hero: Joseph Bazalgette, the man who turned filth into function with a sewer system so well-built, it still serves London today.You'll hear:How the Thames turned from a source of life into a death trapThe tragic and absurd moments, like fainting MPs and a woman knocked out by the river’s fumes mid-suicide attemptWhy cholera outbreaks changed everythingThe engineering marvel that saved a city from drowning in its own wasteAnd some gross, hilarious, and weird facts from the river’s murky past—including polar bears, pirate ghosts, and sewer pigs!From disease and despair to innovation and infrastructure, The Great Stink wasn’t just a public health disaster—it was a turning point in modern sanitation, urban planning, and human resilience.So plug your nose and press play—this one stinks, in the best way possible.Thank You for listening and Stay curious,Kat & WilliamEmail  [email protected] you would like to support Info On The Go click the link belowhttps://www.buzzsprout.com/2434258/support Follow us wherever you listen to podcasts and leave us a review.Follow us on Facebook at Info on the Go!https://www.facebook.com/share/g/159DdiptQh/?mibextid=wwXIfrhttps://infoonthego.buzzsprout.com Being Me Is the Best Thing to Be by Judy Erb tells the story of Honey, a curious little turtle who learns that being herself is the very best thing to be. It's a wonderful read for children, parents, and grandparents, celebrating self-confidence and self-acceptance. Be Like Honey Being Me Is the Best Thing to Be by Judy Erb tells the story of Honey, a curious little turtle who  Fresh From Cache™Created by IT professional Joel Folgner, Fresh From Cache delivers tech news, how-tos, and straightf PatreonSupport the show by becoming Patreon . Listen AD free and a week early. Have some one on one time wiOld GloryUse Code INFOGO to get 15% off at checkoutCozy EarthUse Code INFOGO to get 21% OFF Strong Coffee Company Get 20% OFF at chePatreonSupport the show by becoming Patreon . Listen AD free and a week early. Have some one on one time wiDisclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the showThank You for listening and Stay curious,Kat & WilliamEmail  [email protected] you would like to support Info On The Go click the link belowhttps://www.buzzsprout.com/2434258/support Follow us wherever you listen to podcasts and leave us a review.Follow us on Facebook at Info on the Go!https://www.facebook.com/share/g/159DdiptQh/?mibextid=wwXIfrhttps://infoonthego.buzzsprout.com