Explore the fundamental concept of mass in this 50-minute lecture by award-winning science writer Jim Baggott at The Royal Institution. Delve into the historical evolution of our understanding of matter, from ancient Greek theories to modern quantum field theory and the Higgs boson discovery. Examine the contributions of chemists, physicists, and philosophers in shaping our current knowledge of mass and matter. Investigate key concepts such as atoms, quantum waves, massless particles, and the Higgs field. Gain insights into theoretical physics, the Standard Model, and quantum chromodynamics. Uncover the complexities and remaining questions in our quest to comprehend the nature of mass and its role in the universe.