Every object is a time machine.

The Before Story is an independent YouTube channel producing short documentaries, usually 20 to 25 minutes long, about the surprising history behind ordinary things.

When was the drinking straw invented? How did humans agree that money had value? How does a lighter actually make fire? Why does a tire company hand out the world's most famous restaurant awards?

Each episode is carefully researched, and every documentary comes with a written story here on the site, so you can read, revisit and share what you learned.

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Have a subject you'd love us to cover? Send us your idea or subscribe on YouTube.