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Ep 3: In 1921 Thomas Midgley Jr. added tetraethyl lead to gasoline to silence engine knock, never imagining the additive would raise blood-lead levels in entire generations and measurably lower cognitive performance worldwide. episode artwork

EPISODE · May 5, 2026 · 10 MIN

Ep 3: In 1921 Thomas Midgley Jr. added tetraethyl lead to gasoline to silence engine knock, never imagining the additive would raise blood-lead levels in entire generations and measurably lower cognitive performance worldwide.

from Unintended Consequences

> **In 1921 Thomas Midgley Jr. added tetraethyl lead to gasoline to silence engine knock, never imagining the additive would raise blood-lead levels in entire generations and measurably lower cognitive performance worldwide.** ### Segment 1 — The Hook Thomas Midgley Jr. was working in a Dayton, Ohio laboratory on December 9, 1921 when he first demonstrated that a few drops of tetraethyl lead in a test engine eliminated the sharp metallic ping that destroyed pistons and wasted fuel. ... AI Disclosure: This podcast is curated by Patrick but uses AI-generated voice synthesis for audio production.

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Ep 3: In 1921 Thomas Midgley Jr. added tetraethyl lead to gasoline to silence engine knock, never imagining the additive would raise blood-lead levels in entire generations and measurably lower cognitive performance worldwide.

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