Story of Human Progress Through Six Materials

Journalist Ed Conway went on a journey to discover where the
things we use in everyday life come from. He narrowed that search
down to six vital materials: sand, salt, iron, copper, oil and
lithium. These materials, he says, are like a gateway allowing us
to see the spectrum of different things around us that really do
matter. These materials from the ground that have enabled us to
connect with each other, to provide energy and make
machines. 


Guest: 


Ed Conway, Economics and Data Editor of Sky News and columnist
for The Times and Sunday Times. He is the author of: 


Material World: a substantial story of our past and future
published by Penguin.


Credits: 


Presenter: Richard Aedy


Producer: Kate MacDonald


This program was first broadcast on 15th February, 2024