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25/05/2013

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Play now 25 mins

Episode 1

The Documentary, Just Add Cash Episode 1 of 2

Duration:
25 minutes
First broadcast:
Tuesday 07 August 2012

The hard lessons of the 20th Century have led many to believe that inflation is bad, yet it can also be a sign of a healthy economy.

In part one, financial journalist and broadcaster Max Flint investigates the negatives of inflation using the lessons of history by revisiting its bad reputation, in different parts of the world.

Max hears about wooden money and cash made from clothes in 1920's Weimar Republic, about the impact of high inflation in 1970's Britain and the Zimbabwean 'ten trillion dollar note'.

He meets inflation historian Adam Fergusson to discuss the lessons of hyper-inflation in Germany, visits the Bank of England to find out how Britain now controls inflation and takes a look at banknotes with mind-boggling denominations.

Max questions whether a little inflation could actually be good for the economy.

(Image: Zimbabwean ten million dollar note. Credit: AP PHOTO/Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi)

  • Q&A: Inflation explained

    Q&A: Inflation explained

    What is inflation, how is it calculated and why is the measure important?

    Read more on the BBC News website
  • Personal inflation calculator

    Personal inflation calculator

    Are the prices you pay really soaring? Find your personal inflation estimate by entering your monthly and annual spending into the inflation calculator

    Read more on the BBC News website
  • Economy tracker: Inflation

    Economy tracker: Inflation

    Chart the peaks and troughs of inflation rates with an interactive tracker that details the changes in inflation from 2000 to the present day

    Read more on the BBC News website
  • A Zimbabwean ten billion dollar note

    A Zimbabwean ten billion dollar note

  • A German bank note from the time of the Weimar Republic

    A German bank note from the time of the Weimar Republic

  • A German bank note from the time of the Weimar Republic

    A German bank note from the time of the Weimar Republic

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