Bomb damage in Plymouth following a raid in April 1941.
PA Images|Alamy
Recent events in Keyham, Plymouth, are a reminder that every year unexploded second world war-era ordinance is still found in British cities.
A man of his time: Colonel Vivian Majendie – the first recognised bomb disposal expert in Britain.
Spy Magazine (1882) via Wikimedia Commons
Colonel Majendie was also a pioneer in forensic investigations.
Robots are currently used by police for bomb disposal. Future versions will be much more sophisticated.
Nigel Roddis/AAP
Robots are a twin-edged sword. Used badly, they may one day perpetrate genocide and war crimes. Used well, they can prevent them.