Material World: The Six Raw Materials That Shape Modern Civilization

Recorded March 4, 2025

Please note this is a book discussion without the author present.

Material World is a celebration of humans and the human networks, the miraculous processes and the little-known companies, that combine to turn raw materials into things of wonder. This is the story of human civilization from an entirely new perspective: the ground up.

Facilitator: Dr. Richard D’Elia

Biography: Dr. Richard D’Elia was born in Manhattan and raised in Larchmont, New York. He is both a retired Army officer and college professor. He is a great historian and researcher on many diverse themes and issues, having lectured on a wide range of topics here at The Society of the Four Arts.