Who Invented the Weekend?
Summary
Hosts Ben Henderson and Alice Loxton trace the weekend’s origins from Emperor Constantine’s 4th-century Sunday rest edict to medieval holy days and the Industrial Revolution. They highlight Robert Lowe’s 1843 campaign for Saturday afternoons off in Manchester, noting his lineage to Sir Ian McKellen. The episode concludes with how Henry Ford and Boots the Chemist popularized the modern two-day weekend in the 20th century.
Topics discussed
Introduction: The history of the weekend
Chapter 1: Roman origins and Constantine's edict
Chapter 2: Medieval holy days and Saint Monday
Chapter 3: Industrial Revolution and Saturday afternoons
Chapter 4: The modern two-day weekend and conclusion
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