Skip to main content

How one scientist took on the chemical industry - Mark Lytle

435,093 Views

4,673 Questions Answered

TEDEd Animation

Let’s Begin…

In 1958, after receiving a letter describing the deaths of songbirds due to the pesticide known as DDT, Rachel Carson began an investigation into the misuse of chemicals and their toll on nature. In 1962, she published her findings in “Silent Spring,” which immediately drew both applause and impassioned dissent. How did this biologist and writer ignite such controversy? Mark Lytle investigates.

Why were so many people critical of Carson and Silent Spring?

About TED-Ed Animations

TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »

Meet The Creators

  • Educator Lytle Mark
  • Director Héloïse Dorsan Rachet
  • Narrator Susan Zimmerman
  • Storyboard Artist Héloïse Dorsan Rachet
  • Compositor Héloïse Dorsan Rachet
  • Art Director Héloïse Dorsan Rachet
  • Music Luke O'Malley
  • Director of Production Gerta Xhelo
  • Editorial Producer Alex Rosenthal
  • Producer Bethany Cutmore-Scott
  • Assistant Animation and Compositing Elizabeth Cox
  • Script Editor Iseult Gillespie
  • Fact-Checker Eden Girma

More from Ecofying Cities