Alphabetical Order
99% Invisible1 Joulu 2021

Alphabetical Order

In much of the western world, alphabetical order is simply a default we take for granted. It’s often the one we try first -- or the one we use as a last resort when all the other ordering methods fail. It’s boring, but it works, and it’s so ingrained that it’s hard to imagine not using it. But despite its endurance for most of its history, the alphabet wasn’t initially used to order much of anything. Judith Flanders, author of A Place For Everything, a history of alphabetical order, says that in societies like ancient Rome and early medieval Europe, writing implements were still rare. So what mattered most was organizing knowledge in a way that helped you to memorize it. And that was usually much easier to do in the order you naturally came across the information, like: chronologically, or by size, or geography, or region, or hierarchically.

Alphabetical Order

Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ to listen to new episodes of 99% Invisible ad-free and a whole week early.

Start a free trial now on Apple Podcasts or by visiting siriusxm.com/podcastsplus.


Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jaksot(778)

U Is for Urbanism

U Is for Urbanism

How Jane Jacob's urbanism dreams came to life on the most beloved kids' TV block. Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ to listen to new episodes of 99% Invisible ad-free and a whole week early. Start a fre...

2 Joulu 202538min

Constitution Breakdown #4: Janet Napolitano

Constitution Breakdown #4: Janet Napolitano

This is the fourth episode of our ongoing series breaking down the U.S. Constitution.This month, Roman and Elizabeth turn to Article Two, which establishes the executive branch, alongside former Secre...

28 Marras 20251h 22min

Murderland

Murderland

Writer Caroline Fraser argues a chilling link between industrial poison, deadly design, and a generation of serial killers in the Pacific Northwest. Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ to listen to new ep...

25 Marras 202527min

The Moving Walkway Is Ending

The Moving Walkway Is Ending

People once dreamed of sidewalks that could whisk them across cities. Somehow, that dream ended up at the airport. Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ to listen to new episodes of 99% Invisible ad-free an...

18 Marras 202539min

How to Write a Joke

How to Write a Joke

Comedy writer Elliott Kalan (The Daily Show, The Flop House, Mystery Science Theater 3000, and co-host of the 99% Invisible Breakdown of The Power Broker) spills the secrets of how he grows jokes from...

11 Marras 202531min

Gear (Articles of Interest)

Gear (Articles of Interest)

From buckskin breeches to Patagonia vests, uncover how America’s obsession with ruggedness and war shaped the clothes we wear every day. Avery Trufelman is back with an episode from Articles of Intere...

4 Marras 202559min

Constitution Breakdown #3: Sen. Elizabeth Warren

Constitution Breakdown #3: Sen. Elizabeth Warren

This is the third episode of our ongoing series breaking down the U.S. Constitution.This month, Roman and Elizabeth dive into Article One, Sections 8 through 10, which spells out what Congress can and...

31 Loka 20251h 9min

Your Call Is Important to Us

Your Call Is Important to Us

What if all those dropped calls, endless wait times and dead end hotlines every time you try to reach customer service weren’t accidents but part of the plan? Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ to listen...

28 Loka 202529min

Suosittua kategoriassa Liike-elämä ja talous

sijotuskasti
mimmit-sijoittaa
rss-rahapodi
psykopodiaa-podcast
herrasmieshakkerit
rss-rahamania
taloudellinen-mielenrauha
ostan-asuntoja-podcast
rahapuhetta
lakicast
rss-startup-ministerio
rss-draivi
rss-sami-miettinen-neuvottelija
sijoitusovi-podcast
juristipodi
rss-lahtijat
rss-uppoava-vn-laiva
rss-rikasta-elamaa
rss-sisalto-kuntoon
rss-myynnilla-on-asiaa-kert-kenner