The Social Life of Ink by Ted Bishop
A rich and imaginative discovery of how ink has shaped culture and why it is here to stay.
Ink is so much a part of daily life that we take it for granted, yet its invention was as significant as the wheel. Ink not only recorded culture, it bought political power, divided peoples, and led to murderous rivalries. Ancient letters on a page were revered as divine light, and precious ink recipes were held secret for centuries. And, when it first hit markets not so long ago, the excitement over the disposable ballpoint pen equalled that for a new smartphone—with similar complaints to the manufacturers.
“Part travel narrative, part hidden history, part cultural exploration,” Hear Ted in conversation with Colin McEnroe on WNPR