Stuff Matters

Ever wondered what separates a paperclip from a skyscraper, or a teacup from a silicon chip? Discover the hidden world of materials that surrounds you every day and learn how these seemingly ordinary substances hold the key to understanding human history and our future. You'll explore the fascinating stories behind ten essential materials, from the steel in our buildings to the chocolate in our desserts. Uncover the secret science that gives each material its unique properties and see how their invention and evolution have shaped our modern world.

Mark Miodownik is a materials scientist, engineer, and Professor of Materials and Society at University College London, where he directs the Institute of Making. His lifelong fascination with the substances that build our world, from concrete to chocolate, began after being stabbed with a razor blade on a train as a teenager. This pivotal event sparked a deep curiosity about why materials behave the way they do, inspiring a career dedicated to exploring the marvelous, hidden world of the stuff that surrounds us.