Ed Conway starts an epic journey through time and around the world with the oldest of materials, sand. Despite received wisdom, much of our world is built on sand and is now transformed into the most advanced machines on the planet. But sand also played a surprising and fascinating role in the industrial revolution and even in increasing literacy rates. 

'Material World: A Substantial Story of Our Past and Our Future', written by Ed Conway, explores which materials we have relied upon to build civilisations and how we will use them to forge our future.

Abridged by Anna Magnusson
Read by John Hollingworth
Produced by Naomi Walmsley Show less