Welcome to the history tricks where any resemblance to a boring old history lesson is purely coincidental.

And here's your 30 second summary.

Once upon a time, a daughter of privilege took her enormous intelligence on fathomable bravery

and an entire set of Wedgwood China into the uncharted parts of the Middle East, making maps, discoveries, and friends along the way.

Her work helped pave the way for the establishment of the modern country of Iraq.

The end. Let's talk about Gertrude Bell, but first, let's place her in history.

In 1868, the very last ship of British convicts landed on the shores of Western Australia

after 81 years of transportation there as punishment.

The first international women's organization is founded in Geneva, Switzerland with a platform of absolute equality between the sexes.

Queen Isabella II of Spain was sent into exile during the quote glorious revolution

though she didn't officially abdicate for another two years.

Thomas Hummer invented the safety bicycle.

The world's first traffic signal lights were installed at the junction of Great George Street and Bridge Street in the London Borough of Westminster in order to control traffic outside the houses of Parliament.

Unfortunately, the gas-powered signals exploded a few months after they were installed

and the project had to go back to the drawing board. Died this year, Jesse Chisholm of famous Chisholm Trail, and Kit Carson, was a tough year for the Wild West.

Also died this year, King Monckett of Siam, made famous by the book Anna and the King of Siam, however inaccurate the story might be.

And Linus Gale, inventor of many, many locks likely whose mechanical descendants you have in your house today.

Born this year, W.E.B. Du Bois, Nicholas II of Russia, father of former subjects the Romanov sisters, Scott Joplin, and our subject Gertrude Bell.

Hello and welcome to the show, it's just me Beckett today with the story of Gertrude Bell, author and adventurer.

Without further ado, on with the show.

Gertrude Margaret Lothian Bell was born on July 14th, 1868 at the home of her grandparents in

County Durham, England, the oldest of the two children of Sir Thomas Hugh Bell and his first wife Mariah Shield.

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