Historian David Nye discusses the origins of Americans’ ample appetites for energy.

Excerpted from: From Whales to Wind: A History of Energy

Historian Ann Norton Greene explains why the “Age of Steam” was also the Age of Horses.

Excerpted from: From Whales to Wind: A History of Energy

Historian Gail Cooper talks about the early days of air conditioning and the effort to move the outside indoors. Syndey Katz describes movie theaters in the days before A/C.

Excerpted from: Climate Control: A History of Heating & Cooling

Historian Howell Harris explains why the Franklin Stove was mis-named, and what winter was like in the North before the stove revolution caught fire.

Excerpted from: Climate Control: A History of Heating & Cooling

Three decades after Jimmy Carter donned his famous cardigan and asked us to go on an energy diet, the US is consuming more than ever. In this episode, BackStory takes on big oil (and big whales, trees and water)!  Historian David Nye discusses the origins of our gluttony for energy, and historian Anne Norton Greene explains why the “Age of Steam” was also the Age of Horses.  Join us on our power trip!

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Show Highlights:

• The Age of Horses — Historian Ann Norton Greene explains why the “Age of Steam” was also the Age of Horses.
• Energy Gluttons — Historian David Nye discusses the origins of Americans’ ample appetites for energy.

Related Links:

• Brush up on consumption and production of different energy sources.
• Find out more about the new Energy Secretary.
• Read a review of Anne Greene’s “Horses at Work.”
• Learn about our complex relationship to Technology.
• View the 1953 video “A is for Atom.”
• Watch Jimmy Carter’s 1977 energy crisis speech
• Powering the 18th Century