Created by a globetrotter, the 55-gallon barrel became one of the best-traveled inventions in human history. An Object Lesson. The tiny tool has held up Roman togas and decorated punk rockers. Now, it ...

Around the world, the document establishes legal, social, and economic legitimacy. But it also makes compromises. An Object Lesson. Carl Linnaeus, the father of biological taxonomy, also had a hand in ...

Have you ever wondered who invented the pencil? Or what led to the creation of the swimming pool? Object Lessons is a beautifully designed book series—published by Bloomsbury Academic—that explores ...

One of my favorite books of all time is “Oranges” by John McPhee. When I tell people this, they ask me what it’s about. “Oranges,” I say. “No, seriously; what’s it about?” “Oranges.” This is when they ...