Engines of Our Ingenuity 2851: Unplanned Obsolescence
Episode: 2851 The Lake Breeze Fan: Unplanned Obsolescence. Today, invention and obsolescence.
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Engines of Our Ingenuity
The story of technological progress is one of drama and intrigue, sudden insight and plain hard work. Let’s explore technology’s spectacular failures and many magnificent success stories.
This content is in service of Houston Public Media’s education mission and is sponsored by the University of Houston. It is not a product of our news team.
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Episodes (100)
Engines of Our Ingenuity 1132: The Siege of Paris
Episode: 1132 In which balloons deliver the mail during the Siege of Paris. Today, the very first airmail service is used to break a siege.
Engines of Our Ingenuity 1131: John Hunter
Episode: 1131 John Hunter: idiosyncratic medical pioneer. Today, the history of medicine provides a strange hero.
Engines of Our Ingenuity 1129: Alphonse Penaud
Episode: 1129 In which Alphonse Penaud invents the model airplane. Today, a very young man teaches us to fly, after all.
Engines of Our Ingenuity 1128: Of Whales and Elephants
Episode: 1128 Of whales and elephants: a remarkable convergence of attributes. Today, we find that whales and elephants have more in common than just size.
Engines of Our Ingenuity 1926: Rhetoric
Episode: 1926 Rhetoric: An ancient idea in serious need of rehabilitation. Today, guest scientist Andrew Boyd persuades us.
Engines of Our Ingenuity 2654: Bike Variations
Episode: 2654 Recumbent bicycles and the One Hour record. Today, variations on a bicycle.
Engines of Our Ingenuity 3295: The Age of Silicon-Based Species
Episode: 3295 The Age of Non-Carbon Species; The Age of Artificial Intelligence. Today, the age of silicon-based species.
Engines of Our Ingenuity 1127: Germany and the Atom Bomb
Episode: 1127 Why Germany didn't make an atomic bomb during WW-II? Today, we ask about Germany and the atom bomb in WW-II.
Engines of Our Ingenuity 1126: An Academic Hoax
Episode: 1126 An academic hoax: When we let our words get too complicated. Today, a disturbing parable about clarity and falsehood.
Engines of Our Ingenuity 1125: The Visible Man
Episode: 1125 The Visible Man: An executed convict is brought back to life on the internet. Today, we create a body of knowledge.
Engines of Our Ingenuity 1124: The New Religion
Episode: 1124 Pythagoras' Trousers: How physics and the priesthood are reopening to women. Today, let's talk about physics, religion, and gender.
Engines of Our Ingenuity 1921: Arrow’s Paradox
Episode: 1921 Arrow's Paradox and third party candidates. Today, guest scientist Andrew Boyd votes.
Engines of Our Ingenuity 3014: Measuring Almost Nothing
Episode: 3014 Measuring Almost Nothing. Today, we measure almost nothing.
Engines of Our Ingenuity 1786: Circumstantial Evidence
Episode: 1786 Acting and reality: in which the story is formed by circumstances unseen. Today, our guest, Seattle actor Megan Cole, has an acting technique for understanding behavior.
Engines of Our Ingenuity 1123: Whiplash
Episode: 1123 Whiplash: Why doesn't it exist in Lithuania? Today, we go looking for whiplash.
Engines of Our Ingenuity 1122: Offshore Rig Disposal
Episode: 1122 Getting rid of old offshore oil platforms -- and other old technologies.
Engines of Our Ingenuity 1121: Neolithic Farming in Europe
Episode: 1121 How farming came to Europe 8000 years ago. Today, farming comes to Europe.
Engines of Our Ingenuity 3294: Coastlines
Episode: 3294 How the length of coastlines depend on how you measure them. Today, how long is a coastline?
Engines of Our Ingenuity 1912: Consciousness
Episode: 1912 Am I conscious, or do I just think I am? Today, guest scientist Andrew Boyd explores how we think.