Historically Thinking Episode 399: Replicating History
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Mar 10, 2025 Anton Howes, official historian at the Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, discusses the complexities of historical narratives and innovation. He delves into the contributions of Henry Court to the Industrial Revolution, challenging misconceptions about metallurgical processes. The conversation also tackles the myths around food canning and the economic roots of colonial resources, emphasizing the importance of rigorous historical scrutiny. Additionally, Howes highlights flaws in the peer review system and advocates for transparency in historical research.
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The Cort Case
- Anton Howes discusses Jenny Bulstrode's article claiming Henry Cort stole his iron-rolling process from Jamaican slaves.
- Howes expresses interest in citing it but finds the claims lack proper referencing.
Initial Red Flags
- Howes noticed inconsistencies in Bulstrode's claims about Henry Cort, like missing footnotes for bold claims.
- He found only one potential piece of evidence, which turned out to be fabricated.
Napoleon's Canning Prize Myth
- The story about Napoleon offering a prize for food preservation, leading to canning, is inaccurate.
- Nicolas Appert received a recognition prize after his invention, not beforehand.