Introduction
100 years ago the range of materials available was limited. Choice mostly depended on what people could afford and durability was important. Now there are far more options, many products are disposable, and style and convenience matter more.
What do materials cost?
Play the game and compare how much different products might cost to buy, depending on the material used. You can also investigate some of the other differences, such as the cost of manufacture, or the cost to the environment. For example, you can compare how many chemicals might be needed to manufacture, say, a modern detergent for washing up, compared with old-fashioned washing soda. Or how much energy would be needed to make a wooden chair compared with one made from plastic and metal. The game also helps you think about where the chemicals, or energy, come from. Is it a source that is being used up, and cannot be replaced, such as oil? Or might it be a renewable resource?
Past, present and future
100 years ago the range of materials available was limited, and choice mostly depended on what people could afford. Nowadays there are far more options, and style and convenience are more important. Compared with what people earn, costs are generally lower. We have also become very dependent on oil, not only as a fuel, but also as the source of many materials including plastics, paints, textiles and medicines. However, we now realise that raw materials such as oil will run out eventually, and that our high levels of energy use are contributing to global warming. In the future, we will need to make choices that are much more sustainable, including the use of renewable or recycled materials. Play the game to find out more.