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Mar 2022
45m 4s

167. Oil: The Making of the Modern World

Goalhanger
About this episode

Tom and Dominic are joined by Helen Thompson, Professor of Political Economy at the University of Cambridge, to talk about the incredible influence of oil over the last couple of centuries.


Discussion covers the first oil well ever drilled, how it's hard to overestimate Hitler's obsession with oil, and the formation of OPEC in the aftermath of the Suez Crisis.


Helen's new book 'Disorder: Hard Times in the 21st Century' is out now.


Catch our second episode with Helen tomorrow, or get it right now by going to restishistorypod.com!


Producer: Dom Johnson

Exec Producer: Jack Davenport


*The Rest Is History Live Tour 2023*:


Tom and Dominic are back on tour this autumn! See them live in London, New Zealand, and Australia!


Buy your tickets here: restishistorypod.com


Twitter: 


@TheRestHistory


@holland_tom


@dcsandbrook

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