Created by Professor Ian Cook, a cultural geographer of trade. He's interested in ways that academics, filmmakers, artists, activists, musicians and journalists try to make tangible the lives of those who make and grow everyday commodities. He curates websites, and researches the making, discussion and impacts of over 80 examples of this work. For example, click on the department Fashion and then Fabric to read stories behind the orgins of different fabrics. Scroll down to review the References provided.
Began with a documentary The Story of Stuff: How Our Obsession with Stuff is Trashing the Planet, Our Communities, and Our Health—and a Vision for Change (2007). Also a book The Story of Stuff (2010) that traces the life of objects we use every day. The site includes other documentaries that expose the underside of production and consumption patterns.
3. Search the web for stories about a product and the companies that produce it.. Examples:
4. Search Omni for product and history or production or industry
Example: coffee (history OR production)
Coffeeland : one man's dark empire and the making of our favorite drug
Where am I wearing: A global tour to the countries, factories, and people who make our clothes. Online book.
5. ImportYeti: A free tool but you need to make an account first. Provides access to company's suppliers drawing on public records on U.S. sea port shipments. Use this data to locate suppliers, manufacturers, and the locations from where products are being imported.
International Directory of Company Histories