Each episode of Distillations podcast takes a deep-dive into a moment of science-related history in order to shed light on the present.
https://www.sciencehistory.org/distillations/podcast
Episode 6: The Chemistry of Texts
Creating ink for both the printed and handwritten page, as well as preserving it, has a long history in which chemistry plays an integral part. Some historic inks have started to destroy the pages they’re printed on. Other books and manuscripts have been damaged as a result of older conservation practices that place more emphasis on looks than historic accuracy.
SHOW CLOCK
00:00 Opening Credits
00:31 Introduction
01:22 Element of the Week: Copper
03:09 Rare book tour with Ronald Brashear and Glen Ruzicka
08:43 Chemistry in Your Cupboard: Secret Inks
10:46 Quote: Vladimir Nabokov
CREDITS
Special thanks to Anke Timmermann for researching this show. Additional credits available at distillations.org.