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Episodes
S1 E1 - The First Alphabet
September 22, 202053minWhere would we be without the world’s alphabets? Writing has played a vital role in the development and expansion of cultures throughout history. But researchers are only now uncovering the origin story to our own alphabet. From the shape of the letter A to the role of writing in trade and storytelling, discover how the written word shaped civilization itself.Subscribe to PBS Documentaries or PBS Masterpiece & PBS Documentaries or purchaseS1 E2 - How Writing Change the World
September 29, 202053minThe evolution of paper and printing revolutionized the spread of information. While the invention of paper boosted Chinese and Islamic societies, the simple fact that the Latin alphabet could be in printed using a small number of repetitive symbols handed Europe a crucial advantage. The printing press itself kicked off the Scientific Revolution that fast-tracked us to the current digital age.Subscribe to PBS Documentaries or PBS Masterpiece & PBS Documentaries or purchase