53 - Mária Telkes, Pet Ocelots, and Agatha Christie's New Life

53 - Mária Telkes, Pet Ocelots, and Agatha Christie's New Life

From What The Factual? / Facts The Way I Like It! by Gill Smith & Pete Moor

December 12, 2025 · 32 min · Season 3 · Episode 53

About this episode

Gill and Pete celebrate their 1 year anniversary by sharing fascinating stories about Agatha Christie, Mária Telkes, and more.

It's Gill and Pete's 1 year anniversary since the first ever Facts The Way I Like it so in a celebratory episode they surprise everyone by sharing more facts. Ok, no surprise exactly but still... This Friday, Gill brings us the stpry of how Agatha Christie found inspiration and a new life in the Middle East, then she tells us of how Christian Dior was inspired by his sister Catherine's wartime resistance to eventually name one of his most iconic fragrances after her.  Pete shares some bizarre facts about the legendary artist Salvador Dali and also tells the inspirational story of Mária Telkes who almost single handedly developed early solar power technology and created the Solar Still which saved countless lives during WWII. She finally left a legacy without which our solar technology may well not be where it is today. To finish the episode we have a birthday quiz based around famous people and famous quotes which itself ends with Pete dragging out his Beatles impressions again. After this episode there will be a small hiatus over Christmas.  There may be some "greatest hits" episodes and maybe some re-issues to tide you over the Christmas period but Gill and Pete will…

People in this episode

Hosts: Gill Smith, Pete Moor

Topics covered

  • Agatha Christie
  • solar power
  • Christian Dior
  • Salvador Dali
  • Mária Telkes
  • comedy
  • history

Keywords

  • Agatha Christie
  • Mária Telkes
  • solar power
  • Christian Dior
  • Salvador Dali
  • comedy
  • history

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Facts The Way I Like It!

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