Historical Projects

During the Great Depression, New York built the impossible: the Empire State Building — rising at four and a half floors per week . In this episode, David Jenkins and Associate Professor Tillmann Bohme unpack how 3,000 workers, razor‑sharp coordination, and bold ambition delivered a 102‑story icon in just 1 year and 45 days. From skyscraper rivalry to Art Deco brilliance, fast‑track construction,...

What if the most extraordinary project you’ve ever seen… was built 2,500 years ago? In this episode of Historical Projects , we travel to ancient Persia to explore Persepolis — a city carved in stone,engineered across generations, and designed to send a message of unity to the world. And guiding us is someone who’s lived this history: structural engineer and researcher Younes Rahnama, who grew up...

What if the most extraordinary project you’ve ever seen… wasbuilt 2,500 years ago? In this episode of Historical Projects , we travel toancient Persia to explore Persepolis — a city carved in stone, engineeredacross generations, and designed to send a message of unity to the world. And guiding us is someone who’s lived this history:structural engineer and researcher Younes Rahnama , who grew up in...

Please follow this show on Spotify In this episode of Historical Projects, host David is joined by engineer and industry leader Jean-Philippe Hudon to explore the CNTower — a project that combined national ambition, engineering innovation, and extraordinary teamwork. JP begins with his first childhood encounter with the Tower, recalling the awe of standing on the glass floor andlooking down 342 me...

“It redefined a skyline, solved a national communications challenge, and stood as the world’s tallest freestanding structure for more than three decades.” In this upcoming episode of Historical Projects , we explore the CN Tower — a project that pushed engineering to its limits and reshaped the identity of an entire nation. Rising 553 meters above Toronto, the Tower wasn’t just built to be tall; i...

Please follow this show on Spotify In this episode of Historical Projects , host David is joined by engineering and strategy leader Derek Hannigan to explore La Sagrada Família — a project that challenges everything we think we know about timelines, leadership, and long‑term vision. Derek shares his personal experience visiting the basilica,describing how seeing it at dawn, at night, and from his...

This is a project defined by vision, resilience, and the belief that some creations are meant to outlive their creators. In this upcoming episode of Historical Projects , we explore one of the most astonishing long‑term projects ever attempted: La Sagrada Família. More than a basilica, it is a living testament to human imagination — a project carried forward by generations who believed in a vision...

“This wasn’t just a library — it was a knowledge engine,staffed by more than 100 scholars who lived, worked, and researched on site.” In this episode of Historical Projects , host David isjoined by strategist and engineer Dewetia to explore the Library of Alexandria — a project defined by vision, investment, and the belief that knowledge couldbe systematically gathered for the benefit of humanity....

“It wasn’t just a building — it was a bold statement: that human understanding could be collected, organised, and expanded in one place.” In this upcoming episode of Historical Projects , we explore one of the most ambitious innovation projects ever attempted: the Library of Alexandria. More than a library, it was a radical experiment in human knowledge — a place where scholars lived, researched,...

“Coins weren’t just currency — they were instruments ofstate identity, trust, and control.” In this episode of Historical Projects , host David is joined by engineer and sustainability leader Phil Bangerter to explore a remarkable story at the intersection of engineering, economics, and trust: the rise and fall of Rome’s minting system. At its height, Rome produced some of the most consistent,tech...

“It’s the story of how Ancient Rome built one of the mostsophisticated, high‑fidelity minting systems the world had ever seen — and how, over centuries, that system fractured…” Step into Historical Projects , the community podcast where engineering, leadership, and human stories meet. In this upcoming episode, we explore one of history’s most surprising project failures: how Rome’s brilliantly eng...

“No project director ever cut the ribbon. No leader put their name on a plaque and said, ‘This was my cathedral.’” In this episode of Historical Projects , hosts David and Eric bring to life the remarkable story of Cologne Cathedral — a project that began in 1248, paused for more than 300 years, and was finally completed in 1880. More than a building, it became a living lesson in leadership, stewa...

Welcome to Historical Projects: A Community Podcast Exploring Project Success and Leadership . In this teaser, we’re giving you a taste of our upcoming full‑length episode featuring Eric — a chemist‑turned‑occupational hygienist with more than40 years of industry experience. He brings not just technical insight, but a personalconnection to one of Europe’s most extraordinary structures: Cologne Cat...

“Today, we’re exploring Hagia Sophia not just as a monument, but as a project — one that shaped empires, survived crises, and continues to inspire millions.” In this episode of Historical Projects , we step inside Hagia Sophia —one of the most extraordinary buildings ever created and a project thattransformed civilisations. Host Eric is joined by David Jenkins, a globalproject leader and author wi...

“Few structures have carried as much meaning, ambition, and cultural identity across time.” Step inside Historical Projects , the community podcast where history’sgreatest achievements meet the real-world lessons of modern leadership. In thisspecial series opener, we journey into the heart of Istanbul to explore HagiaSophia — a building that has been a cathedral, a mosque, a museum, and onceagain...

Welcome to Historical Projects: A Community Podcast Exploring Project Success and Leadership . In this podcast, Ala Al Areqi, a Cybersecurity lecturer at an Australian University, brings both knowledge and a personalconnection to this remarkable history. We’ll explore Yemen’s role in shaping global coffee culture,and then we’ll draw out the lessons this heritage offers for leadership, identity, an...

Welcome to Historical Projects: A Community Podcast Exploring Project Success and Leadership . In this brief teaser episode, we introduce our upcoming full-length podcastfeaturing Ala Al Areqi, a Cybersecurity lecturer at an Australian University, who brings both knowledge and a personal connection to this remarkable history. We’ll explore Yemen’s role in shaping global coffee culture,and then we’...

What do Coffee, Aya Sofia, Cologne Cathedral, Roman Coins, TheLibrary of Alexandria, the Battle of Austerlitz and Sagrada Familia have incommon? They’re more than historical projects. They’re stories ofvision, leadership, and collaboration — projects that defied the limits oftheir time. I’m David Jenkins, author of Project Success ThroughLeadership , and I’d like to welcome you to ‘Historical Proj...