How Books About Things That Changed the World… Changed the World
Mar 26, 2025
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Nicola Twilley, co-host of Gastropod and author of 'Frostbite', discusses how refrigeration revolutionized our food systems and even geopolitical dynamics. She highlights its critical role in the food supply chain and connections to historical events like Irish independence. The conversation also critiques the trend of microhistories, exploring how ordinary objects, like refrigeration, have unexpectedly changed the world, and why understanding these narratives is essential for grasping our modern complexities.
The podcast highlights how 'microhistories' reveal the extensive connections between seemingly mundane objects and significant world events.
It discusses the unique impact of innovations like the marine chronometer and how they transformed navigation and global commerce.
Authors emphasize the interconnectedness of everyday items like refrigeration and rope, showcasing their profound historical significance.
Deep dives
The Birth of Synthetic Color
William Perkin, an 18-year-old chemist in London, inadvertently created the first artificial dye, mauve, while attempting to produce synthetic quinine in 1856. This accidental discovery not only stained his shirt but also sparked a dye revolution, as the color mauve became immensely popular and affordable compared to naturally sourced dyes, which were labor-intensive and costly. Queen Victoria's choice to wear mauve induced a widespread fascination and demand for the shade that became a fashion staple. Perkin's successful transition from scientist to entrepreneur showcased the promising intersection of chemistry and commerce, paving the way for the dye industry and broader entrepreneurial ventures in science.
The Rise of Microhistories
The podcast examines the trend of ‘microhistories’ or ‘thing biographies’, which focus on seemingly mundane subjects and explore their extensive connections to world events. This genre gained momentum in the 1990s after the success of books like 'Longitude' by Deva Sobel, which detailed the impact of the marine chronometer on navigation and trade. Following closely was 'Cod' by Mark Kurlansky, which illustrated how this fish shaped economies and cultures across continents, thereby solidifying the market for these unique narratives. Authors aim to highlight how examining specific objects or themes reveals interconnectedness and deeper historical significance that often goes unnoticed.
The Importance of Longitude
The introduction of the marine chronometer by John Harrison in the 18th century addressed the critical problem of determining a ship's longitude, which was a major impediment for sailors and traders. This invention transformed maritime navigation, enabling safer and more accurate sea travel, thus enhancing trade and international relations. Despite its monumental impact, Harrison was largely unrecognized until later, demonstrating how significant innovations can be overlooked in their time. The rise of the chronometer marked a pivotal moment in history, changing not only navigation but also global commerce and geopolitics.
The Role of Beavers in Ecology and Economy
Beavers significantly influenced North America's ecological landscape and were central to the fur trade that fueled early capitalist ventures. Their dam-building behaviors shaped river systems, which in turn facilitated diverse ecosystems and water management strategies, crucial for sustaining life in various regions. Moreover, the beaver trade sparked conflicts and socioeconomic dynamics among European settlers and Native American tribes, ultimately shaping national borders and economies. As conservation efforts have led to a rebirth of beaver populations, they are increasingly seen as vital in modern ecological restoration practices, demonstrating their lasting importance.
The Evolution of Commodities' Narrative
Over decades, the concept of 'things that changed the world' has evolved, with newer commodities like refrigeration and rope being examined for their historical impacts. Refrigeration, explored in-depth, altered food production, distribution, and public health, highlighting its far-reaching implications from economic to ecological levels. Similarly, the study of rope reveals its foundational role in construction, navigation, and technology, underscoring the interconnectedness of everyday objects with societal advancements. The podcast argues that these narratives reveal the complex interdependencies of history, provoking deeper consideration of how even the simplest items have fundamentally transformed human life.
Look in the nonfiction section of any bookstore and you’ll find dozens of history books making the same bold claim: that their narrow, unexpected subject somehow changed the world. Potatoes, kudzu, soccer, coffee, Iceland, bees, oak trees, sand, chickens—there are books about all of them, and many more besides, with the phrase “changed the world” or something similarly grandiose right there in the title. These books are sometimes called “microhistories” or “thing biographies” and they’ve been a trope in publishing for decades. In this episode, we establish where this trend came from, figure out why it’s been so persistent, and then we put a bunch of authors on the spot, asking them to make the case for why their subjects changed the world.
This episode was written by Willa Paskin and produced by Evan Chung, Decoder Ring’s supervising producer. Katie Shepherd and Max Freedman also produce our show. Merritt Jacob is Senior Technical Director.
If you have any cultural mysteries you want us to decode, please email us at DecoderRing@slate.com, or leave a message on our hotline at 347-460-7281.
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