The Man Who Accidentally Killed The Most People In History

Summary

This script tells the story of Thomas Midgley Jr., the scientist behind two major inventions: leaded gasoline and Freon, which had devastating global impacts. Leaded fuel increased crime rates, lowered intelligence, and caused environmental disasters, while Freon damaged the ozone layer. Clair Patterson, another scientist, discovered the true age of the Earth but also exposed the harmful effects of lead pollution. The video highlights the profound influence individuals can have on the environment and promotes Wren, an organization combating climate change by helping individuals offset their carbon emissions.

Takeaways

• 🔬 Clair Patterson, a young chemist, worked on the Manhattan Project and later used mass spectrometry to measure the Earth's age by analyzing uranium to lead ratios in rocks.
• 🧪 Patterson's research was confounded by unexpectedly high levels of lead in his samples, which he discovered was due to environmental contamination from human activities.
• 🚗 Charles Kettering hired Thomas Midgley Jr. to find a solution for engine knocking in cars, leading to the invention and widespread use of tetraethyl lead as an anti-knock agent in gasoline.
• 💀 The use of leaded gasoline resulted in numerous health problems, including lead poisoning, and had far-reaching effects such as decreased intelligence and increased crime rates.
• 🌏 Patterson's meticulous work in creating a contamination-free lab allowed him to accurately determine the age of the Earth and also revealed the extent of lead pollution in the environment.
• ❄️ Ice core samples from Greenland and Antarctica provided evidence that lead pollution had increased significantly in the 20th century due to industrialization and the use of leaded gasoline.
• 🦠 Lead exposure has been linked to a myriad of health issues, including intellectual disabilities, behavioral problems, and even cardiovascular diseases, affecting millions of people globally.
• 📉 The correlation between lead exposure and crime rates suggests that reducing lead pollution could have a significant impact on societal well-being and safety.
• 🌳 Thomas Midgley Jr. also developed Freon, a refrigerant that was non-toxic and non-flammable, but later contributed to the depletion of the ozone layer.
• 🕊️ The Montreal Protocol to phase out CFCs like Freon has shown signs of success with the ozone layer beginning to recover, illustrating the power of international environmental agreements.
• 🌍 The script emphasizes the profound impact a single individual can have on the environment, as seen with both Clair Patterson's research and Thomas Midgley Jr.'s inventions.

Q & A

What was Clair Patterson's initial research project using mass spectrometers?

Clair Patterson's initial research project using mass spectrometers was to measure the age of the Earth by determining the ratio of uranium to lead in primordial rocks.

Why did Clair Patterson's lead measurements in zircon crystals vary significantly?

Patterson's lead measurements varied significantly because there was extra lead present that didn't belong there, which he later discovered was due to environmental lead contamination.

What was the first automobile to eliminate the hand crank, and what was the problem with its engine?

The first automobile to eliminate the hand crank was the Cadillac Model 30. The problem with its engine was that it was deafeningly loud due to engine knocking caused by spontaneous combustion of the fuel before the spark plug ignited it.

What was Thomas Midgley Jr.'s role in addressing the engine knocking issue in cars?

Thomas Midgley Jr. was hired by Charles Kettering to find an additive that would increase the octane rating of ordinary fuel and eliminate knocking in high-compression engines.

What was the name of the additive Thomas Midgley Jr. discovered to eliminate engine knocking?

Thomas Midgley Jr. discovered the additive tetraethyl lead, which was effective in eliminating engine knocking.

How did the introduction of tetraethyl lead as an anti-knock agent impact public health?

The introduction of tetraethyl lead led to widespread lead pollution, causing numerous cases of lead poisoning, decreased intelligence, increased crime rates, and long-term health issues such as cardiovascular diseases.

What measures did Clair Patterson take to ensure his lab was free from environmental lead contamination for his research?

Clair Patterson took measures such as removing lead solder from electrical cables, cleaning floors and benches daily with ammonia, ensuring constant air flow out of the lab, and requiring the use of protective clothing like plastic bunny suits.

What was the significance of Patterson's measurement of lead in meteorites for determining the age of the Earth?

Patterson's measurement of lead in meteorites was significant because meteorites, originating from asteroids formed around the same time as Earth, provided a more accurate way to measure the age of the Earth without the interference of lead contamination from the Earth's environment.

How did Clair Patterson's research contribute to the understanding of environmental lead pollution?

Clair Patterson's research helped to reveal that the lead found in the environment was not natural but a result of human activities, particularly the use of leaded gasoline. His work showed a significant increase in lead levels in recent times compared to ancient samples.

What was the impact of lead exposure on IQ and educational outcomes according to the studies mentioned in the script?

Studies mentioned in the script showed that lead exposure, even at levels considered safe, resulted in delayed learning, decreased IQ, and increased behavioral problems. Higher levels of lead in baby teeth correlated with a higher likelihood of failing out of high school.

What was Thomas Midgley Jr.'s second major invention, and what were its environmental consequences?

Thomas Midgley Jr.'s second major invention was dichlorodifluoromethane, also known as Freon, a refrigerant for fridges. Its environmental consequences included the depletion of the ozone layer and contribution to global warming due to its stability and potential to break down ozone when exposed to ultraviolet light.

How did the script describe the correlation between lead exposure and crime rates?

The script described a correlation between lead exposure and crime rates, suggesting that children exposed to higher levels of lead were more likely to exhibit antisocial or violent behavior as they grew up, potentially contributing to the rise and subsequent decline in crime rates observed in the latter half of the 20th century.

What steps have been taken globally to mitigate the effects of leaded gasoline and CFCs?

Global steps taken to mitigate the effects of leaded gasoline include banning its use in various countries, with Algeria being the last to ban it in 2021. The Montreal Protocol was established to phase out CFCs, leading to signs of recovery in the ozone layer, although it will take many more decades for a full recovery.