At some point in class, the subject of ancient technology comes up, usually with the story of Prometheus, or connected to fire in some way—Prometheus, or Hestia, or Hephaestus.

Whenever it appears, I can’t help but think of John Plant’s YouTube Channel, Primitive Technology. The way he starts just about every project by making fire from nothing emphasizes for me not only how important control of that basic “element” is for survival, but also how magical its creation can be.

Check some out, when you have a chance! (Here’s a relatively early one, where he builds a hut. Don’t worry—fire shows up about the 2:30 mark.)

Unfortunately (or maybe fortunately for him, it turns out) he hasn’t posted new videos in a while. Here’s some of that story, if you’re interested: