Stuff You Should Know SYSK Selects: How Gold Works
Mar 7, 2020
Discover the fascinating history and mechanics of gold, from ancient civilizations to modern mining. Learn how gold's allure spurred exploration and shaped cultural legacies. Explore the ethical dilemmas of gold production, including environmental impacts and slave labor in Brazil. Uncover the journey of gold from prospecting to refinement, along with its diverse applications today. Enjoy a whimsical dive into the culinary uses and marketing of this precious metal, coupled with insights into the weighty issues of consumption and communication.
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Gold's surprising scarcity and recyclability
- Only 161,000 metric tons of gold have been mined throughout history.
- 85% of it is still in circulation, suggesting your jewelry might have ancient origins.
Gold's impact on exploration and colonization
- Marco Polo's writings inspired Columbus's gold-seeking voyages.
- Gold's allure fueled exploration, conquest, and societal shifts.
Overlooked Gold Rush
- The California Gold Rush overshadows the first U.S. gold rush in North Carolina.
- North Carolina supplied all U.S. Mint gold until the 1830s.