# How Textiles Made the Modern World

**URL:** <https://www.libertarianism.org/podcasts/free-thoughts/how-textiles-made-the-modern-world>

**By** Virginia Postrel, Aaron Ross Powell, Trevor Burrus

**Published:** April 16, 2021

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Virginia Postrel joins the show to discuss how textiles are the most influential commodity in world history.

## Shownotes:

The story of humanity is the story of textiles -- as old as civilization itself. Since the first thread was spun, the need for textiles has driven technology, business, politics, and culture. Virginia Postrel joins the show to discuss how textiles are the most influential commodity in world history.

What can the history of textiles teach us about innovation?

## Further Reading:

[The Fabric of Civilization: How Textiles Made the World](https://www.amazon.com/Fabric-Civilization-Textiles-Made-World/dp/1541617606), written by Virginia Postrel