February 24, 1893. Most homes don't have electricity. And yet, one of the technology's pioneers, Nikola Tesla, is about to give the world a glimpse into a fully electrified future.
He takes the stage at the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia, and begins a demonstration. He shoots sparks out of his hands, makes himself glow, and turns on some lightbulbs. The ... Show More
Yesterday
From Hitler to Hippies: The Surprising Origins of the VW Beetle | Presenting Business History
How did the VW Beetle go from Hitler’s dream car to beloved hippie icon? Today, we’re sharing an episode from a new podcast, Business History. Hosts Jacob Goldstein and Robert Smith bring to life the greatest innovations, the boldest entrepreneurs and the craziest mavericks in th ... Show More
38m 26s
Jan 19
Houdini Defies Death
January 25, 1908. Harry Houdini is the most famous magician in America. He’s known for his escapes – from handcuffs, boxes, jail cells, even a giant football. But the escape act is getting old, and ticket sales aren’t what they used to be. And on this day, an under-capacity audie ... Show More
28m 54s
May 2025
Nikola Tesla: life of the week
Nikola Tesla is remembered as an enigmatic, eccentric genius who harnessed the power of electricity. But if we strip away some of this myth, what can we really say about the inventor's life and legacy? For this Life of the Week episode, Iwan Morus joins Ellie Cawthorne to reveal ... Show More
38m 44s
Aug 2024
Pourquoi parle-ton de la « guerre des courants » ?
<p>Si le nom de Thomas Edison est passé à la postérité, ce n'est pas le cas de celui de Nikola Tesla, qui est beaucoup moins connu. Si ces deux inventeurs furent associés un temps, c'est parce qu'ils travaillèrent ensemble et eurent l'occasion de s'opposer, dans le cadre d'une co ... Show More
2m 1s