Ohne Kalkstein keine Industrialisierung? Plädoyer für eine erweiterte Rohstoffgeschichte

Sebastian Haumann demonstrates how the history of materials that have not attracted much attention can be analyzed to open up entirely new perspectives. The article draws on the example of limestone in the 19th century, a raw material that was crucial for the development of iron and steel production during industrialization, but which has never been systematically analyzed. This example raises the question of how the historical relevance of materials can indeed be adequately assessed. Furthermore, an extended raw materials history, which Haumann advocates, raises the awareness for alternatives, paths and contingencies in the use of materials.