This is the

Roman Mars.

In the beginning, there was design.

At least according to designer and author will Lidwell.

Design is the oldest human discipline, older than humanity itself.

And Will believes that in this oldest of old disciplines, everything ever designed.

Space ships, buildings, pyramids, weapons, clothing, artwork, everything.

Can be traced back to a single designed object, the first designed object.

This is as close to a Genesis object as we have.

I mean, this is where it all began. If design had its own Cosmos series, this would be episode one.

I think this is the greatest, grandest, like most interesting story in the field of design.

It has it all. Mystery, entry, controversy.

We are on the edge of our seats, Will.

Wait for it. I need like the drum roll here. The first

designed object was the Acheulean hand axe. acts.

The Achulian hand axe, ladies and gentlemen. Actually, it doesn't look like an axe at all.

There's no handle. There's no metal.

Honestly, it should be called the Acheulian

pointy hand rock.

A hand axe is made of rock,

and it's tear drop shaped, and if you join your hands together as if to prey, fingers together and thumbs in,

this is almost the exact shape and size of an Achulien hand axe.

...