In 19th-century Rio de Janeiro, hygiene concerns made the use of human hands a major problem. As early as 1884, the French baker Delmilhac advertised his bakery as an example of technical advancement: mechanical kneader, special oven, and "less human contact with the dough."

Rafa Brito Pereira (@theslowbaker) has always managed to attract consumers seeking quality to unlikely places. His Slow Bakery (@theslowbakery), now in a less unusual location, continues to make the best bread in Rio for 10 years, and still attracts a crowd that arrives with luggage straight...

Delivery services in 1918? Our researcher, Helena Jablonski, talks about the ‘subscription system’, very common since the late 19th century., in Rio de Janeiro. In the video, she tells the story of how the interruption of bread subscriptions caused a commotion among residents of Jardim Botânico.