Wait... They Did What!?

How would you feel if the school rules said you had to show your legs? In the 1970s, boys had to have bare necks, and girls had to have bare legs... until some students fought for their rights to long hair and pants.  This episode will answer questions like: Why couldn’t girls wear pants to school? Why weren’t boys allowed to have long hair? Can a school enforce hair policies? What to do if you feel discriminated against. Find more episodes of kids’ history podcast Wait... They Did What!? with Tilly Oddy-Black on the Kids tab of ABC listen. 

Bikinis come in all shapes and sizes today, but in the 1960s you could get arrested for wearing one in public... if the ‘beach inspector’ thought it was too skimpy.  This episode will answer questions like: Who invented the bikini? Why was the bikini banned in Australia? What is a beach inspector? How have swimsuit laws changed? Find more episodes of kids’ history podcast Wait... They Did What!? with Tilly Oddy-Black on the Kids tab of ABC listen. 

Hitchhiking was a popular way to travel in the 1970s... despite some hitchers being accused of needing a shower and a haircut.  This episode will answer questions like: Is hitchhiking illegal? Why don’t people pick up hitchhikers anymore? Why do people no longer hitchhike? What are vagrancy laws? Find more episodes of kids’ history podcast Wait... They Did What!? with Tilly Oddy-Black on the Kids tab of ABC listen... and don’t ever get in cars with strangers. 

It was legal for Australian teachers to hit school kids up until the 1990s... with a weapon known as the cane.   This episode will answer questions like: What was the cane at school? When was the cane banned in schools in Australia? Why was the cane banned in schools? What are the rights of children in Australia?  Find more episodes of kids’ history podcast Wait... They Did What!? with Tilly Oddy-Black on the Kids tab of ABC listen. If you or someone you know is being hurt by anyone, you should tell a trusted adult, or you could call the Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800. 

School assemblies looked a little different between the 1950s and 80s. Kids had to sing God Save the Queen... and then promise to be her servants.  This episode will answer questions like: What is the oath of allegiance to the queen? Why did Australia stop singing God Save the Queen? Why is God Save the Queen controversial? What is the connection between the monarchy and Australia? Find more episodes of kids’ history podcast Wait... They Did What?! with Tilly Oddy-Black on the Kids tab of ABC listen. 

People have worn fur to keep warm for thousands of years, but in the 1950s a fur coat became a fashion status symbol... often at the expense of smelly weasel-like creatures.  This episode will answer questions like: Is it ethical to wear a fur coat? What animals are used for fur? How valuable are fur coats? What is faux fur? Find more episodes of kids’ history podcast Wait... They Did What!? with Tilly Oddy-Black on the Kids tab of ABC listen. 

Did you know that in the 1970s, kids could buy fireworks... with some explosive consequences?  This episode will answer questions like: What is cracker night? Who was Guy Fawkes? Are fireworks legal? Are fireworks dangerous? What injuries are caused by fireworks? Find more episodes of kids’ history podcast Wait... They Did What!? with Tilly Oddy-Black on the Kids tab of ABC listen.

Wait... They Did What!? is the question you’ll be asking after travelling back through modern history with comedian Tilly Oddy-Black.  We’ll unearth the weird, wild and outright scandalous stuff people did in the olden days... like letting kids buy fireworks, banning bikinis on the beach, putting blood-sucking leeches on sick people, and riding in cars without seatbelts. It’s the podcast that will make you feel just a little bit smarter than your parents and grandparents. New episodes out every Monday on the Kids tab of ABC listen.