Tuesday 15th September 2026 from 19:00 for 19:30
Abingdon United Football Club (Northcourt Rd, OX14 1PL, Abingdon)
This talk takes us back to the early 1900s, when the discovery of Radium sparked a wave of excitement in popular culture. Despite the lack of scientific evidence, Radium was marketed as a cure for everything from cancer to impotence, and its glowing properties made it a popular ingredient in consumer products. But as the devastating health effects of Radium exposure became apparent, the tide turned against it, and it was eventually recognised as a hazardous material. This talk delves into the fascinating history of Radium and its impact on society, shedding light on the dangers of misinformation and the power of scientific discovery.
Speaker: Lucy Jane Santos
Specialising in the late 19th and early 20th century Lucy Jane Santos is a freelance historian and consultant uncovering the hidden stories of how science and technology have transformed daily life, especially when it comes to innovations in beauty practices.
After completing a BA in Egyptian Archaeology and a MA in Museum and Heritage Management Lucy worked for several private members clubs and societies including The Arts Club, the Authors’ Club, The Gourmet Society and the International Wine and Food Society.
Lucy has appeared as a contributor on TV and radio, and her historical research has been featured by History Today, BBC History Revealed, Jezebel, LitHub, New York Post, Vogue, and on the BBC2 documentary, Makeup: A Glamorous History. Her most recent project is as Creative Consultant for the documentary Obsessed With Light a film that tells the story of the performance artist Loïe Fuller.
Her debut, Half Lives: The Unlikely History of Radium was shortlisted for the 2021 BSHS Hughes Prize which recognises books that communicate the history of science in an engaging and accessible way to non-specialists. Her latest book, Chain Reactions: A Hopeful History of Uranium was published in 2024. Lucy is currently working on Nobody’s Perfect: On the Set of Some Like It Hot, which will be released in 2026.