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This is the surprising backstory of the howitzer cannon – an artillery weapon that has dominated battlefields for hundreds of years, from Napoleon to Ukraine, and forever changed the economics of war. But this isn't just the story of a big gun.

As Ukraine battles ammunition shortages, in his new podcast Ed Conway investigates what happens when a modern army runs out of shells, and why NATO struggled to replace them.

From forgotten chemical factories in the First World War to today's fragile global supply chains, Ed reveals how manufacturing, trade and industrial capacity have become just as important as military strategy.

Featuring frontline reporting from Ukraine and conversations with leading military experts, this episode asks a bigger question: if Britain ever had to defend itself, could it still make the things it needs to fight?

This is Stuff Matters with Ed Conway. What do the objects around us say about the world? In this new podcast, Ed takes an object, cracks it open and reveals the world shaping forces hidden inside. In this sneak preview, Ed begins his journey of uncovering the howitzers' story.

Follow Stuff Matters to never miss an episode.