Nicholas Bate

You Were There: first recipient of the first e-mail

"This is fun"

You Were There: Invention of Airplane by Wright Brothers (January 1903)

"You know, future generations are just going to be able to stroll up to a more sophisticated version of this plane. Jump on and it will give them the most magical of experiences. They will feel liberated, be able to go anywhere in the world they like with ease, at the drop of a hat. They will be able to wine and dine-maybe even dance-as they cross the oceans. Man is at last one with the birds."

You Were There: Discovery of the Atom (1808)

"Wow, that is small"

You Were There: Victory for Caesar 47BC

"Veni, vidi, vici; I promise no spin, nor sound-bite"

You Were There: the Last days of the Dinosaurs ( a very long time ago)

"I don't know. We probably should have done more-a whole lot more-and a whole lot earlier when we realised climate change was a reality".

You Were There: Invention of Cat's Eye (c 1933 UK)

"It's absolutely brilliant; now let's get out of the middle of the road"

You Were There: The Release of Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band 1 June 1967

Ringo: what does it all mean, Paul?
Paul: no idea! But the fans will soon think of something....

You Were There: Language arrives: a very, very long time ago.

"Thank goodness: there's a few things I need to say to you, Geoff"

You Were There: Man Evolves from the Apes: a very, very long time ago.

"Thank goodness. I need a decent shower, a hot meal, a bed on the ground and a chance to watch West Wing. It's been a long time coming"

You Were There: Man Lands on the Moon: July 1969

"You know-in future years a lot of people are simply not going to believe it; those pictures look a lot as if they have been done in a studio"