The History of Fire - Stuff You Should Know Recap
Podcast: Stuff You Should Know
Published: 2026-03-24
Duration: 2242
What Happened
The existence of fire on Earth started around 470 million years ago when the atmosphere became rich in oxygen and vegetation developed. Early hominins in Africa, appearing about 6 million years ago, interacted with fire similarly to animals, gaining advantages in cooking and protection. The use of fire by humans dates back over a million years, but the specifics of how and when humans began to harness and control fire remain speculative.
Wonderwerk Cave in South Africa is one of the oldest known sites of controlled fire use, dating back a million years. Similarly, the Kassim Cave in Israel contains evidence of the first known hearth from about 300,000 years ago. Homo Erectus, the longest-lived hominin, likely used fire 780,000 years ago, as indicated by stone tools and cooked fish remains found in archaeological sites.
Fire played a critical role in human development, aiding in cooking, metalworking, pottery, and providing protection from predators. It allowed early humans to inhabit colder climates and provided light for exploration. The development of fire-starting techniques, such as using flint, fire drills, and fire pistons, enabled humans to produce fire on demand.
The widespread use of fire dates back to around 400,000 years ago, with hearths serving various purposes including cooking, socializing, and pottery firing. As humans transitioned from the Stone Age to the Metal Ages, fire was instrumental in the advent of the Copper Age. The genetic mutation AhR, unique to humans, reduced sensitivity to smoke inhalation, a trait not found in Neanderthals or Homo erectus.
Fire may have influenced human circadian rhythms, making humans more alert in the evening compared to other animals. The close living quarters and use of fire might have also facilitated the spread of diseases such as tuberculosis. Additionally, early humans' methods of meat preservation, like smoking, may have developed from a long history of resourcefulness and minimizing waste.
In a tangential correction from a listener, the hosts mention that in L. Frank Baum's "The Wizard of Oz," the original book featured silver slippers, representing the silver standard in a historical debate over gold vs. silver standards. These were changed to ruby slippers in the movie adaptation to showcase the new technicolor technology.
Key Insights
- The Earth's atmosphere became suitable for fire around 470 million years ago, allowing for the conditions necessary for its existence.
- Wonderwerk Cave in South Africa holds some of the oldest evidence of controlled fire use, dating back one million years, highlighting early human interaction with fire.
- The genetic mutation AhR in humans, absent in Neanderthals or Homo erectus, reduced sensitivity to smoke, aiding in the more frequent use of fire.
- Smoking meat might have been one of the first preservation techniques used by early humans, stemming from a history of resourcefulness and minimal waste.