I love this guy's videos about how economic geography should inform fantasy world building.
In this one, he goes into the details of how the production structure of pre-industrial wool textiles determines how land is used, which cities will process it, how it determines political allegiances and tax policies, amongst other interesting things.
Interesting video.
I never knew the Vikings sails were made of wool.
New Zealands economy was built upon the sheeps back- it was something we could export back to Britain before refrigeration also enabled export of the meat.
When refrigeration came in the 1880s NZs economy boomed.
Later in the world war and Korea and Vietnam elevated wool prices drove booms in the NZ economy.
Since globalisation and synthetics the viability of sheep farming has declined but in recent years Chinese processing of NZ wool has started to return viability to sheep farming in addition to higher prices for red meats.
Until recently the cost of shearing sheep was higher than the amount most farmers received for the wool.
I may be biased but prefer wool to synthetic materials for clothing.
I think the premium for natural materials will keep growing. It seems like we're constantly learning more downsides of synthetic materials.
Saved this to watch with the kids later.