How It Began: A History of the Modern World
How It Began: A History of the Modern World
Brad Harris, Historian of Science & Technology
A thrilling podcast about the History of the Modern World. Humanity has been hard at work for centuries to empower itself with better tools and insights, from science and surgery to electricity and the Internet, and this series celebrates the history of those triumphs. Compared to our ancestors, we live like superheroes and sorcerers, endowed with powers they could never have imagined. But how did we achieve all this? Historian Brad Harris tackles that question head on, revealing how the most important scientific, technological, and cultural advancements in history began, and inspiring us to keep reaching for new historical triumphs along the way.
A Message From Brad Harris
To download your own copy of all 20 ad-free episodes of the How It Began series, head to bradharris.com.  
Apr 24, 2021
3 min
The English Language: From a Dark Ages Dialect to Global Domination
In this episode, historian Brad Harris takes us back to collapse of the Roman Empire to reveal how the world's most popular and expressive language, English, emerged from the dimmest moment of the dark ages. Hear how English actually sounded a thousand years ago and discover how it evolved through the centuries by absorbing other languages. To access all 20 episodes of How It Began, head to bradharris.com to learn more.
Jul 20, 2017
40 min
Wolves to Dogs: The Origins of Our Alliance
In this episode, historian Brad Harris brings us back in time over 35,000 years ago to reveal the very beginning of dog domestication. Learn how humanity gained the upper hand in an ancient competition with wolves to enable more friendly interaction and cooperation, and how the subsequent alliance between humans and dogs helped both species to thrive. To access all 20 episodes of How It Began, head to bradharris.com to learn more.
Apr 13, 2017
25 min
Modern Science: From Belief to Knowledge
In this episode, historian Brad Harris explores the origins of our modern methods of scientific discovery. From ancient Greeks who developed rational inquiry to Galileo and Newton who led the Scientific Revolution, the historical process of moving beyond belief to securing real knowledge about the world is revealed. To access all 20 episodes of How It Began, head to bradharris.com to learn more.
Mar 30, 2017
27 min