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Edward de Bono, Paul Van Doren, Alastair Hanton OBE, Violetta Elvin

Matthew Bannister on thinker Edward De Bono, businessman Paul Van Doren, banker Alastair Hanton, ballerina Violetta Elvin.

Pictured: Edward de Bono

Matthew Bannister on

Edward De Bono, the psychologist who advocated lateral thinking – and sold the concept to companies around the world.

Paul Van Doren, the American businessman whose Vans sneakers were adopted by skateboarders, making him a multi-millionaire.

Alastair Hanton OBE, who set up the National Girobank and developed direct debits to allow greater access to banking before becoming a campaigner for ethical investing and greener transport.

Violetta Elvin, the Russian ballerina who made her name as a rival to Dame Margot Fonteyn at the Royal Ballet.

Producer: Neil George

Interviewed guest: Sarah Tucker
Interviewed guest: Steve Van Doren
Interviewed guest: Nicholas Smith
Interviewed guest: Angus Hanton
Interviewed guest: Raffaele Lauro
Interviewed guest: Ronald Hynd
Translator: Martin Esposito

Archive clips used: Logical and Lateral, Radio 4 29/12/1976; Today, Radio 4 29/04/1976; Fast Times at Ridgemont High, directed by Amy Heckerling, Universal Pictures 1982; LA Olympics Opening Ceremony, ABC News 1984; Alastair Hanton Oral History, The Hanton Family 2021.

Available now

28 minutes

Edward de Bono

Born 19 May 1933; died 9 June 2021, aged 88.

Last Word spoke to his biographer Sarah Tucker.

Paul Van Doren

Born 12 June 1930; died 6 May 2021, aged 90.

Last Word spoke to his son Steve Van Doren, and writer and presenter Nicholas Smith.

Alastair Hanton OBE

Born 10 October 1926; died 26 May 2021, aged 94.

Last Word spoke to his son Angus Hanton.

Violetta Elvin

Born 3 November 1923; died 27 May 2021, aged 97.

Last Word spoke to Italian politician and writer Raffaele Lauro, and choreographer Ronald Hynd. 

Broadcasts

  • Fri 18 Jun 2021 16:00
  • Sun 20 Jun 2021 20:30

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