The History and Evolution of Humankind's Relationship with Earth's Most Primal Element Suzanne Staubach University Press of New England Hanover and London University Press of New England www.upne.com © 2005 Suzanne Staubach First University Press of New England edition 2013 All rights reserved For permission to reproduce any of the material in this book, contact Permissions, University Press of New England, One Court Street, Suite 250, Lebanon NH 03766; or visit www.upne.com ISBN for paperback edition: 978-1-61168-503-9 ISBN for ebook edition: 978-1-61168-504-6 Library of Congress Control Number: 2013941836 eISBN 978-1-61168-504-6 For the truly -wonderful and amazing Olivia and Arielle With Joy! And deep love. Always. And in memory of my cousinjohn Bergholtz CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ix INTRODUCTION xi 1 COOKING POTS AND STORAGE JARS Porridge, Ale, and International Commerce I 2 HEARTH AND HOME Ovens, Heat, and the Invention of Baking 19 3 THE FIRST MACHINE AND THE DEVELOPMENT 44 OF AN INDUSTRY 4 SET THE TABLE From a Simple Bowl to a 2,200-Piece Dinner Set 64 5 A WORD OR TWO The Invention of Writing and Books 97 6 THE MOST POPULAR BUILDING MATERIAL Cities, Walls, and Floors of Mud 112 7 SANITATION A Nice Hot Bath, a Drink of Water, and Don't Forget to Flush 140 vii CONTENTS 8 FARMING MADE EASY Irrigation, Propagation, and Incubation 160 9 ELECTRICITY, TRANSPORTATION, AND ROCKET SCIENCE 180 10 TO YOUR HEALTH! 192 11 ART, TOYS, GODS, GODDESSES, AND FERTILITY 203 12 A FITTING DEATH Urns, Gravestones, Companions, and Thieves 225 CONCLUSION 245 APPENDIX A: HOW TO MAKE YOUR OWN PINCH POT 248 APPENDIX B: MUSEUMS 251 NOTES 255 BIBLIOGRAPHY 260 CREDITS 271 viii