<p>💬 The birth of the chemical industry - one which has reshaped the course of human history - happened in a small town in England. In the 19th century, Widnes was transformed into a major centre of the chemical industry. </p><p>This era saw the rise of the bleach packers - workers who shovelled toxic chemicals to earn a living, wearing bandages to protect themselves from burns and muzzles to avoid passing out.</p><p>⚡Catalyst is the UK’s only museum dedicated to the chemical industry. And in this episode Judith Wilde, Heritage Manager at the museum, introduces us to the museum’s extensive archive of historical artefacts.</p><p>Now, more than 30 years since it was curated, Catalyst is getting a complete makeover - so this is a last chance to see the museum before it changes for good.</p><p>Don&#39;t miss an episode - subscribe now:</p><p><a href="https://podfollow.com/what-we-did-before"><u>https://podfollow.com/what-we-did-before</u></a> </p><p><strong>🎧 Stay tuned to learn about:</strong></p><p>➡ The ancient origins of humanity’s obsession with chemicals</p><p>➡ Why Widnes was chosen to house these chemical factories</p><p>➡ What life would’ve been like in such a heavily polluted industrial town</p><p>➡ The bleach packers - and why it was one of the worst jobs of the 19th century</p><p>➡ How soap first emerged - to clean floors, not bodies</p><p>➡ The rise of anaesthetics and antibiotics</p><p><strong>Visit Catalyst Museum:</strong> <a href="https://www.catalyst.org.uk/"><u>https://www.catalyst.org.uk/</u></a> </p><p><strong>About the podcast:</strong></p><p>What We Did Before is a podcast exploring the history of everyday life, from how we kept food fresh before fridges, to how we survived without shoes and what came before AI.</p><p><strong>About your host:</strong></p><p>Ollie Guillou is an award-winning podcast producer and broadcaster. He&#39;s co-founder of OG Podcasts, working with the likes of New Scientist, Dr Karan and Lessons From Our Mothers.</p><p><strong>Connect with Ollie</strong>:</p><p>Website: <a href="http://www.ogpodcasts.co.uk"><u>www.ogpodcasts.co.uk</u></a> </p><p>LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/ollie-guillou"><u>https://www.linkedin.com/in/ollie-guillou</u></a> </p><p>Email: <a href="mailto:[email protected]"><u>[email protected]</u></a></p>