91Èȱ¬

Where did the idea for the programme come from?
We are part of the pan 91Èȱ¬ project A History of the World which was originally cooked up a couple of years ago between the and Radio 4. The original idea was to make 100 radio programmes about 100 objects in the British Museum. Then people began to look at how the project might roll out beyond the British Museum and beyond London. Before we knew it, just about every part of the 91Èȱ¬ wanted to be part of it - from the World Service to C91Èȱ¬ who have been doing the 13 part Relic series on 91Èȱ¬1 and C91Èȱ¬. Local Radio across England is also a major partner. Before long we had the 91Èȱ¬ across the country involved, partnering up with their local museums. I think at the moment there are around 350 museums who are part of the project but more are joining all the time.

In Wales we had the task of working with museums across the country to think how we might represent the story of Wales and the History of the World through objects in their collections. There's a map with details of the museums we are working with.

How did you choose the objects? Were there many arguments /impassioned debates?
Choosing the objects wasn't easy. We kick started the project with 10 objects from each 91Èȱ¬ Local area in Wales - 10 from South East Wales, 10 from North East Wales and so on. But those were always intended to be a starting point and it is encouraging to see new museums joining the project and museums who are already with us are uploading more objects. And of course members of the public can also add objects so I never know what might appear on the website next from Wales. For example, this Stone Age tool was uploaded to the online collection by a member of the public.

Were you surprised by the variety of objects of Welsh origin? Can you give some examples?
There were some stories that we immediately knew we need to represent - for example - coal - Wales powered the industrial revolution. What was more surprising was that at one point we produced 80% of the world's tin plate - so a 150 year old tin of carrots ended up as one of our objects. Fortunately the carrots were eaten long ago.

It was also a great chance to showcase some of the wonderful archaeology from Wales - many of the items are in the like the Caergwrle bowl or the Tal y Llyn face mask, but of course, they come from all over Wales. We shouldn't forget also that Wales has an object in the British Museum 100 - the Mold Cape. It is a wonderful object and was originally found near Mold in Flintshire.

It was harder to decide what to choose to represent modern Wales. In the end we went for a Muslim Prayer compass which was recently added to the collections at St Fagans and is a contemporary object and SuperTed - from the 1980s. Animation from Wales has gone around the world - all because of who began making animation, reversioning it into other languages and exporting it across the world.

One of the things that is really nice is that each object has links - so you can go on a journey through the website - not just to the sites of the museums who contributed objects, but also to find out more about the subject in general.

My personal favourite is the gold nuggets from the Royal Charter wreck off Anglesey. If you click on the links on the object page (under Find Out More) you can find out all about the Maltese sailor who was responsible for saving most of the survivors from the wreck.

How can I find out about objects that didn't make it into the programme?
If you go to the website www.bbc.co.uk/ahistoryoftheworld you can find hundreds of objects from Wales and beyond. Not all of the Welsh ones are featured in the TV series, but they all have a story to tell. Try clicking on In Your Area to find objects from where you live or click on View List of Objects in the bottom right hand corner of the page and then you can search by 91Èȱ¬ Region.

A History of the World encourages people to add their own objects to the online collections. How can I add my object?
It might seem daunting, but as long as you have a digital photo of the object on your computer, it is easy. On every web page there is a yellow button saying 'Make History - Add Your Object'. If you click on this it will take you through the simple process of registering on the site and then adding your object. One man, in Scotland has added 85 objects at the last count in his collection. Radio Scotland have ended up making in half hour programme just about him and his objects.

Were there any particular problems / challenges in making a programme of this kind?
For some stories in the television series that we wanted to cover, museums simply didn't have relevant objects. In one case we were able to create the object. Wales invented the sleeping bag - kind of - it was a thing called the Euklesia rug which was made from Welsh wool and incorporated a sewn in inflatable pillow. Pryce Jones company in Newtown sold thousands of them to armies across the world. But not a single one survives. However, we did find the patent and we got an antique textile expert to make one up which our presenter Eddie Butler road tested and then we donated it to the Textile Museum in Newtown.

Do you have a favourite object?
I think one of my favourites is the model of a guillotine in the Powysland Museum in Welshpool. It was made from sheep bones by French prisoners of war in the early 19th century. It is simply an extraordinary thing.

If I'm allowed a second one, it would be the painted feathers from Swansea Museum. They were painted by the Cape Horners - the seamen who sailed from Swansea round the Horn to Chile to trade in copper. They are just beautiful.

Can the objects be seen in museums in Wales?
Yes. Each object page has links to the museum where it is displayed usually giving visitor information, opening hours etc. Watch out - a few of our museums are only open from Easter to October, but most of them are open all year round. Check the website for details.

Wales and the History of the World,Wednesday 3 March, 7.30pm on 91Èȱ¬ One Wales

Do you agree with the production team's selection? Let us know below?