Patented: History of Inventions
Inventing Fire: the First Spark of Humanity
Sep 20, 2023
Anthropologist Richard Wrangham discusses the significance of fire in human evolution, including its impact on our anatomy, diet, and brain size. The podcast explores the origins of cooking, the control of fire throughout history, the evolution of reactive aggression, and the role of language in shaping alliances and morality. It also touches on our predisposition to war and the significance of fire in our lives.
36:38
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Quick takeaways
- The use of fire to cook food led to the growth of our brains and the development of our distinctive body shape.
- The discovery and control of fire allowed early humans to sleep on the ground for protection and facilitated their exploration and modification of the environment.
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The Importance of Fire in Human Evolution
The podcast discusses the importance of fire in human evolution, specifically focusing on how the use of fire to cook food led to changes in our body, including the ability to grow bigger brains. Richard Rangam, an anthropologist, explains that the invention of fire allowed early humans to sleep on the ground, as fire provided protection against dangerous animals. The ability to cook food made it more digestible and provided access to a wider range of foods, resulting in a reduction in the size of our guts and teeth. This freed up time for other activities and facilitated the growth of our brains.
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