Prompt Cast
The History and Science of Soap: From Ancient Times to Modern Day
TLDR Soap has been used by humans for at least 5,000 years and is made from fat or oil and an alkali. It works by loosening surface tension and trapping dirt and oil in micelles, effectively killing certain microbes. Antibacterial soap is not more effective than regular soap and can lead to the evolution of antibiotic-resistant bugs.
Timestamped Summary
00:00
Soap is a magical potion that works better than hand sanitizer and we have no real clue how we figured out how to make it.
04:58
Soap is made from fat or oil and an alkali, such as lye, and it works by getting oil and water to mix together.
09:50
Soap molecules have distinct ends that bind with water and oil, making soap a surfactant that loosens surface tension and traps dirt and oil in micelles, which can then be washed away with water.
14:26
Soap molecules surround and carry away particles, including dirt, viruses, and bacteria, by connecting with water molecules and rinsing them away, effectively killing certain microbes in the process.
19:49
Soap is produced through a process called saponification, which has been done by humans for at least 5,000 years, and the legend of Mount Sapo, where soap supposedly originated, is not true.
24:31
Europe started using soap on more parts of their bodies, such as underarms and faces, after initially only using it on their genitals, and soap production became more widespread in Europe when they started making it themselves, with Spain making castile soap out of olive oil and other countries following suit.
29:25
The Minotaka Corporation bought up all the soap pumps before releasing Soft Soap in 1980, cornering the market on liquid soap.
34:20
Antibacterial soap is not more effective than regular soap and can actually be harmful, as it can lead to the evolution of antibiotic-resistant bugs.
39:58
Hand washing guidelines were not issued for hospitals until the 1980s, and studies have shown that bar soap does not transmit infection.
45:01
Tide laundry detergent was created in 1943 and has been continuously improved over the years, with 50,000 test loads conducted annually to ensure its effectiveness.
50:09
The hosts receive a correction from a listener regarding the recent episode on Billy the Kid, clarifying that it is unlikely Billy was eating horse meat and more likely he was eating beef.
Categories:
Society & Culture
