Historically, those who controlled the salt controlled the power. The world's monopolies may have changed, but salt remains vital to our existence. Beyond the dinner table, it sits at the heart of the chemicals industry and lifesaving sanitation.

'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