Listen "History of the Self: Aging"
Episode Synopsis
Defeating old age? In 1899, Elie Metchnikoff woke up in Paris to learn he had done just that. At least, that's what the newspaper headlines said. Before long he was inundated with mail from people begging him to help them live forever. The only problem? He didn't know how to do it. At the time, Metchnikoff was one of the world's most famous scientists. And he believed aging was a disease he could cure. He dedicated his life to that quest, spending his days interviewing centenarians, pulling gray hair out of colleagues and old dogs, and boiling strawberries — all in the pursuit of eternal youth. If you've ever had yogurt for breakfast, you likely have Metchnikoff to thank. (This episode first ran as The Man Who Cured Aging)Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
More episodes of the podcast Throughline
Throughline Dances
29/10/2025
The Internet Under the Sea
23/10/2025
The Rise of the Right Wing in Israel
16/10/2025
A History of Hamas
09/10/2025
From the Frontlines
02/10/2025
Throughline Sleeps
30/09/2025
The Anti-Vaccine Movement
25/09/2025
The Business of Migrant Detention
18/09/2025
Line. Fence. Wall.
11/09/2025
ICE
04/09/2025
ZARZA We are Zarza, the prestigious firm behind major projects in information technology.