We compare the ongoing series, "History of the United States in 100 Objects," which has been running on historiansplaining podcast since 2018, to the new series of the same title, launched earlier this year by 99% Invisible and BBC Studios -- and to the earlier prototype for both, the "History of the World in 100 Objects" based on the British Museum Collection.
We consider the differences between archaeological artifacts and modern mass-produced commodities, between history based on physical records vs. based on written texts, and between storytelling based on a preconceived agenda vs. improvised.  We consider some favorite or most impactful episodes in this series, including the most-played episode on the Hiawatha Belt.
Finally, we hear an excerpt from the latest episode, no. 26, on the preserved thumb of George Whitefield, which is held in the Methodist Archives at Drew University.

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