There are a lot of ways to measure history. In centuries, by revolutions, or in inches. That’s right, inches. Anthropometric historians make their living by taking the measure of man and woman quite literally, tracing time’s arc by plotting just how high contemporary humans stand above or below their ancestors.
History shows that height matters. It’s becoming anatomical shorthand for prosperity of both the biological, and economic kind. Taller people just do better; they earn more money, live longer, and get to look down on everyone else. For much of the last 200 years, Americans enjoyed the prestige of being the world’s tallest people. But new research shows that they have now fallen behind their European cousins.
Guests:
Burkhard Bilger, writer for The New Yorker.