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One of the great things about the ´óÏó´«Ã½ iPlayer is that you can watch things that you wouldn't usually get to see. And that means not only shows that are on after your bedtime or while you're out doing something else (´óÏó´«Ã½ Four seem to take a perverse pleasure in showing a documentary I want to see every time I'm out)Ìý but also programmes that you would never have seen because you live in a different part of the country.

Why am I telling you this? Because thanks to iPlayer I now know the answer to the question: "What has Wales ever given the world?" Previously I would have plumped for coal and terrifyingly loud, close-harmony singing. But in future I will be able to give a less ignorant and stereotypical answer and my list will include: the rigid hull inflatable boat, the steam locomotive, air-to-surface radar, canned lager, orthopaedic splints, the sleeping bag and the telescope.

This is because I've been watching Wales and the History of the World, in which Eddie Butler looks at the inventions and people from Wales that have helped change the world.

If you're in Wales then the final programme in the series is on ´óÏó´«Ã½ One tonight at 7:30pm. But if you've missed an episode, or like me are unfortunate enough not to live in Wales, you can see the whole series online for the next seven days.

Here's a taste of what to expect, as Eddie explains the link between John Wayne, tinned carrots and Carmarthenshire.



And if you like that, you should take a look at the exceedingly interesting boring bar that may have helped us win the battle of Waterloo. Or you can see the objects that have been added to the site from people and museums in Wales.

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