What is waterproof, stormproof, fireproof, and can be made to take any shape? In this episode of Johan Norberg’s New and Improved, Norberg recounts the rocky history of the world’s second most consumed material: concrete.

Concrete is a mixture of sand, rocks, and cement, and it is the world’s primary building material. It is so cheap and effective that twice as much concrete is used as steel, wood, plastics and aluminum combined, building our cities, roads, and bridges.

Concrete has been criticized for its environmental impact, but its history is one of constant innovation. From ancient structures to modern skyscrapers, humanity has continued to innovate, producing a material more effective than ever before.