Les grands froids

The opening invites you into a lively investigation of how we sense hot and cold. Through simple, hands‑on experiments—dipping one hand in icy water, the other in boiling, then testing both in lukewarm—you discover why the same temperature can feel opposite depending on recent exposure. The author also compares metal and wood, showing that conductivity, not just temperature, shapes our sensations.

In the second part, the narrative turns to the invention of the thermometer, tracing its evolution from crude glass bulbs to the precise centigrade scale we still use. Clear explanations of expansion, contraction, and calibration are paired with charming illustrations that make the science feel tangible. Listeners will come away with a fresh appreciation for the everyday instrument that quietly measures the world around us.