How One German Button Maker Searched the Rivers of the American Midwest for the Shells That Could Make Him a Fortune

John Boepple's quest for freshwater mussel shells to create pearl buttons in Muscatine, Iowa, brought economic growth but came at a severe environmental cost. The mussel populations dwindled due to overharvesting, highlighting the tension between industrial innovation and ecological sustainability. This story underscores the broader implications of resource exploitation and the need for balanced economic and environmental stewardship. Boepple's journey reflects a historical pattern of environmental degradation driven by commercial interests.