logo
episode-header-image
May 2024
29m 29s

How do vacuums work?

American Public Media
About this episode

Vacuums are full of surprises! Did you know that they blow air out to suck things up? Or that old-fashioned vacuums were so huge, they had to be hauled from house to house by horses?!


Join Molly and co-host Baker as they learn all about these awesome appliances. They’ll dig into vacuum history, shrink to the size of air molecules and explore the inside of this curious contraption, and even check out a vacuum museum in Missouri. All that, plus a tricky new mystery sound that will blow you away!


Subscribe to Smarty Pass for ad-free feeds, bonus episodes, and ticket discounts!


Today’s episode is sponsored by:
- Poshpeanut.com/brainson - Receive 20% off your first order
- Indeed.com/brainson - Receive a $75 sponsored job credit with code brainson
- Inside Out 2 - Disney and Pixar's Inside Out 2 is coming to theaters, June 14th.



See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Up next
Today
Why do we have Daylight Saving Time?
Every spring we set our clocks one hour forward. Every fall we move them one hour back. It’s a strange ritual when you think about it, so why do we do it? Join Molly and co-host Ava as they explore the seasons and why days are shorter in the winter and longer in the summer. We’ll ... Show More
24m 1s
Feb 27
New Brains On tour dates added: St. Paul, Atlanta, Portland -- and more!
Exciting news! We’ve announced a bunch of new tour stops for this spring! Learn more about the show and get tickets here! Mar 7............MILWAUKEE Mar 8..................ST PAUL Mar 28..............ATLANTA Mar 29.....FT LAUDERDALE Apr 11......CHATTANOOGA Apr 12................. ... Show More
1m 10s
Feb 24
Let's Go Bananas
HARVEY, our omnipresent virtual voice assistant, gets a software update that makes him go bananas for bananas. And if we talk about anything except bananas, he turns the microphones off! We talk to geneticist Dr. Janina Jeff about how much DNA we share with a banana, find out why ... Show More
33m 23s
Recommended Episodes
Feb 2024
Vacuums vs. Lawn Mowers: a tidy debate
<p>Today’s debate is a match between two mean cleaning machines. One is a weekend cut up, while the other is a buster of dust! It’s vacuums vs. lawn mowers! We’ve got producer Matt Alvarez ready to blow his opponent away for team Vacuums! And comedian, writer, and actor Andy Hilb ... Show More
33m 52s
Feb 2024
Vacuums vs. Lawn Mowers: a tidy debate
<p>Today’s debate is a match between two mean cleaning machines. One is a weekend cut up, while the other is a buster of dust! It’s vacuums vs. lawn mowers! We’ve got producer Matt Alvarez ready to blow his opponent away for team Vacuums! And comedian, writer, and actor Andy Hilb ... Show More
33m 52s
Jul 2019
Vacuum Cleaner - 10 Hours Sleep Sound
The powerful rush of a vacuum cleaner might not be for everyone but is a great sound for tuning out even the loudest distractions. Vacuum Cleaner is professionally mastered and included in the White Noise Pro app. The Vacuum Cleaner sound is also available for streaming and purch ... Show More
10 h
Jan 2024
From the Vault: Horror Vacui, Part 2
Nature abhors a vacuum… and so do we? In this classic episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe discuss the subject of horror vacui as it relates to philosophy, physics and the arts. (originally published 01/17/2023)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. 
42m 19s
Jan 2023
Horror Vacui, Part 2
Nature abhors a vacuum… and so do we? In this episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe discuss the subject of horror vacui as it relates to philosophy, physics and the arts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. 
41m 57s
Jan 2023
Horror Vacui, Part 4
Nature abhors a vacuum… and so do we? In this episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe discuss the subject of horror vacui as it relates to philosophy, physics and the arts. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. 
50m 9s
Jan 2024
From the Vault: Horror Vacui, Part 3
Nature abhors a vacuum… and so do we? In this classic episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe discuss the subject of horror vacui as it relates to philosophy, physics and the arts. (originally published 01/19/2023)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. 
39m 7s
Dec 2023
From the Vault: Horror Vacui, Part 1
Nature abhors a vacuum… and so do we? In this classic episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe discuss the subject of horror vacui as it relates to philosophy, physics and the arts. (originally published 01/17/2023) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. 
38m 56s
Nov 2023
Cone Snails vs. Tsetse Flies: a deadly debate
<p>Today’s debate is a<strong> </strong>poisonous, blood-sucking battle between two dangerous creatures. One hides out in a decorative shell, the other buzzes ‘round like a carousel. It’s Cone Snails vs. Tsetse Flies! <a href="https://link.chtbl.com/elhTn8sm?sid=sbb" class="defau ... Show More
35m 3s