Ice: The Hidden History of a Hot Commodity with Dr. Amy Brady
Civics & Coffee: A History Podcast
07/26/25
•44m
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What do cocktails, hospitals, and the American railroad system have in common? Ice.
This week, I’m joined by Dr. Amy Brady, author of Ice: From Mixed Drinks to Skating Rinks – A Cool History of a Hot Commodity, to explore how something as simple as frozen water reshaped the nation. From 19th-century ice harvesting to the rise of refrigeration and its impact on food, medicine, and leisure, we dive into the chilly history behind one of America’s most overlooked innovations.
We also discuss what the story of ice reveals about climate, class, and cultural memory. This conversation is as refreshing as it is fascinating and you won’t want to miss it!
Previous Episode
Riot or Massacre? Reclaiming the History of Colfax, 1873
July 19, 2025
•19m
For over a century, the Colfax Massacre was inaccurately labeled a “race riot.” But in reality, it stands as one of the deadliest instances of racial and political violence during the Reconstruction Era. Join me this episode as I uncover what happened in Colfax, Louisiana in 1873 including why Black citizens were targeted for defending their newly won rights and how the legal aftermath shaped the limits of federal civil rights enforcement for decades to come.
Grab your coffee and get ready to revisit the facts, challenge the myths, and explore what this event reveals about the way history is remembered—and forgotten.
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