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cover of episode The Inventor Who Almost Ended the World

The Inventor Who Almost Ended the World

2022/11/11
logo of podcast Cautionary Tales with Tim Harford

Cautionary Tales with Tim Harford

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Thomas Midgley Jr., a prolific inventor, was known for his work in mechanical engineering and chemistry, accumulating over 100 patents. His career began at General Motors, where he was mentored by Charles Kettering.

Shownotes Transcript

Thomas Midgley's inventions caused his own death, hastened the deaths of millions of people around the world, and very nearly extinguished all life on land. 

Midgley and his employers didn't set out to poison the air with leaded gasoline or wreck the ozone layer with CFCs - but while these dire consequences were unintended... could they have been anticipated?

For a full list of sources used in this episode visit Tim Harford.com

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