Jake

The Chemistry Timeline

Science EN ↓ 6 episodes

How did scientists discover the atom? Where does our understanding of metals and the material world come from? And how did we get from fire and rocks to smart phones and satellites. The Chemistry Timeline casts your mind back, telling you the story of the origins of Chemistry and our understanding of the world.

Author

Jake

Episodes

Episode 6: Glasses and Glazes - Turning Sand into Sophistication 10.07.2026 17:08

Today, we venture back to the point where we started turning boring sand into beautiful glass. How did we turn this common ingredient into a clear crystal? What problems did they have, and why was coloured glass the original idea? References: Degryse, P., Scott, R. B., & Brems, D. (2014). The archaeometry of ancient glassmaking: Reconstructing ancient technology and the trade of raw materials....

Episode 5: The Egyptian Art - Embalming, Cosmetics & Khemia 05.07.2026 20:20

In today's episode, we venture back to one of the most loved ancient civilisations, the Egyptians. How did we preserve human bodies for thousands of years? What did they use? And why did they have lovely black lines on their eyes? References: Lucas, A. (1962). Ancient Egyptian Materials and Industries. Edward Arnold Publishers. (The definitive, classic text on the material chemistry of ancient...

Episode 4: Ceramics and Clay - Preserving History Through Kilns 29.06.2026 16:43

I'd like to apologise for the delay in this episode. Last weeks heatwave absolutely destroyed me! In our fourth episode, we explore how clay leads to ceramics. How do we turn this lump of slimy mud into durable, glazed jars and pots? References: Aitken, M. J. (1985). Thermoluminescence dating . Academic Press. Eppler, R. A., & Eppler, D. R. (2000). Glazes and glass coatings . American Cera...

Episode 3: Forged in Fire - Iron Metallurgy and Empire Building 19.06.2026 14:57

In the third episode of this season, we explore why the iron age didn't come first. How did we come to use metal? What did it do to early empires? Where did an unlikely object shatter the understanding of rusting? Find out in this episode. References: Comelli, D., et al. (2016). The meteoritic origin of Tutankhamun's iron dagger blade. Meteoritics & Planetary Science, 51(7), 1301-1309....

Episode 2: Harder, Faster, Stronger - The Dawn of the Bronze Age 12.06.2026 19:12

In our second episode, we look at how humans went from simple stones, to magnificent metal. How did we come to use copper? Where did we get it from? And what were the challenges of creating bronze? Find out in this latest episode. References: Kradradjee, B., & Charles, J. A. (1980). The first metallurgists: Smelting and alloying in the ancient Near East. Journal of Archaeological Science , 7 (...

Episode 1: Sparking Civilisation - The First Chemical Reaction (Fire) 09.06.2026 23:30

In the first, inaugural episode of the Chemistry Timeline, we travel back to the first time hominins harnessed chemistry. How did fire come to be part of our everyday lives, and how did it change our biology, our social skills, and our understanding of the material world? References: Attila, Y. (2018). The history of fire use and its effects on human sociality. DergiPark , 4 (2), 112–125. Gowlett,...