Neil MacGregor concludes the series with five objects from the C20th and C21st whose stories explore different aspects of our world from plastics to propaganda, sexual revolutions to war.
Solar-powered lamp and charger
Listen now (18 minutes)
Available since Fri, 22 Oct 2010.
5/5. Neil MacGregor's last object in his world history - a solar-powered lamp and charger.
Credit card
Listen now (15 minutes)
Available since Thu, 21 Oct 2010.
4/5. Neil MacGregor with a credit card - one that is compliant with Sharia law.
Throne of Weapons
Listen now (15 minutes)
Available since Wed, 20 Oct 2010.
3/5. Neil MacGregor with an African throne - made from decommissioned guns.
Hockney's In the Dull Village
Listen now (15 minutes)
Available since Tue, 19 Oct 2010.
2/5. Neil MacGregor considers the state of human rights - with a David Hockney print.
Russian revolutionary plate
Listen now (15 minutes)
Available since Mon, 18 Oct 2010.
1/5. Neil MacGregor nears the end of his world history - with a Russian revolutionary plate.
96 Russian revolutionary plate
97 Hockney's 'In the dull village'
98 Throne of Weapons
99 Credit card
100: ?
The 20th century saw objects used to express the power of totalitarian regimes, the sexual revolution of the 1960s and the end of Europe’s colonial empires. Technological innovations have changed the way we relate to each other and the material world. The invention of man-made materials like plastic resulted in mass production and consumption on an unprecedented scale. More objects have been produced in the last 100 years than ever before. Yet many of these new objects are ephemeral and disposable. This raises questions about the environment, global resources, and sustainability. But, as has been true for almost two million years, the objects we use today to face these challenges will go on to reveal our history to future generations.
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