I've been listening to a BBC podcast called "A History Of The World In 100 Objects". I'm finding it fascinating. Each object, ranging from a flint hand axe to a portable solar charger, has its own 15 minute episode. The fascinating part, however, comes as they link the history of the object to other things happening at the same time via trade routes, cultures, and natural occurrences.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/ahistoryoftheworld/
http://www.bbc.co.uk/ahistoryoftheworld/