Do you know what makes your iPod go?

Here’s a hint: It rhymes with phithium pholymer.

No?

It’s made in Japan.

Still not getting it?

The shutdown of the Japanese factory that makes it is disrupting Apple’s production line.

…

If you guessed “a very specific and rare polymer used to hold together the lithium ion batteries used in iPods and a variety of other gadgets,” you’re right!! Ding!

This story is crazy. Who knew that one chemical made by one small company halfway across the world could affect iPod buyers in the U.S.? This is a good example of outsourcing in action.

For now, the company (Kureha) is scrambling to get back into action, but in the meantime, will the price of an iPod go up? Should we start stockpiling them in our panic rooms? Can we order iPods with the soothing voice of Justin Beiber pre-installed on them??

Seriously, though. Do you know where your favorite products are made?

Tags: Apple, globalization, Japan, manufacturing, supply chain, tsunami