A Brief History of Stuff

Explore the past, present, and future of the everyday stuff in your home, from tinned food to tampons.

Learn how 30,000 bath toys and the work of amateur beachcombers have helped scientists study ocean currents. Explore how the search for a death ray led to the creation of the microwave oven and ready meals. Discover the surprising link between sticky tape and the Nobel Prize.

Uncover the extraordinary stories of ordinary objects in this perfect gift for curious minds. From the creators of the A Brief History of Stuff podcast and inspired by the incredible artefacts in the Science Museum Group Collection, this collection of entertaining essays reveals the fascinating history behind some of the most mundane items in our homes.A Brief History of Stuff is a podcast hosted by BBC Radio 5 Live’s Nihal Arthanayake and filled with fascinating stories about the ordinary objects around you. Each episode features experts and enthusiasts who explore the past, present, and future of an everyday object in your home, from bath toys to sticky tape and vacuum cleaners to the microwave oven, revealing how they changed science—and our world.