Talks at Google

Ep446 - Dr. Aarathi Prasad | Silk: A World History

May 14, 2024
Dr. Aarathi Prasad discusses the global history of silk, from ancient cultivation to modern innovations. She explores diverse silk moths worldwide, women's contributions, and the potential for sustainable future applications in medicine and technology.
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INSIGHT

Global Silk Production

  • Silk production isn't limited to China; it's a global practice.
  • People worldwide used silk from various insects and spiders.
ANECDOTE

Sea Silk Discovery

  • Dr. Prasad learned about diverse silk sources from weavers in Sardinia.
  • They worked with sea silk, a unique, self-healing material from a critically endangered mollusk.
ANECDOTE

Women in Science

  • Dr. Prasad highlights Maria Sibylla Merian's 17th-century scientific journey to Suriname.
  • Merian, a woman, studied insects in their natural habitat and contributed significantly to ecology.
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