The 1889 World’s Fair in Paris dazzles attendees with the Eiffel Tower. So, when plans begin for the 1893 World’s Fair in Chicago, the mandate is clear: beat the Tower. America’s architects and engineers compete to win the job – but every proposal they submit is more outlandish and dangerous than the last. And the most dangerous of all? Well, that might be a ... Show More
Jul 2020
Radar | Welcome to Tuxedo Park | S29-E1
What technology won WWII? Most people would say the atomic bomb, but the real answer is radar.As a small island country, vulnerable to aerial attacks, England took the lead in developing radar in the 1930s. But the early radar systems were too massive to fit into planes, where th ... Show More
34m 5s
Jul 2020
Video Games | Electric Dreams | S30-E1
Call of Duty, Fortnite, Animal Crossing.... The video game industry generates billions of dollars each year. But not so long ago, video games were mostly played by the programmers who made them. On our new season, we’re telling the story of how video games broke out of university ... Show More
38m 56s
Aug 2020
Keeping Cool | A Chilly Reception | S31-E1
Muggy. Sticky. Miserable. For eons, that’s just what summer was. In fact, when air conditioning first became available, few people took advantage of it. Wasn’t summer supposed to be uncomfortable? This is the story of how people finally warmed up to the idea of keeping cool.You c ... Show More
38m 53s
Jan 2025
The Ridiculously Ambitious History of the World's Fair, Part One: A Crazy Plan, and Crazy Success
Have you ever dreamed of going to a science fair as an adult? If so, the world's fair is for you -- these massive international exhibitions occur around the world, usually running for three to six months. And each world's fair include exhibits from a significant number of countri ... Show More
47m 17s
Nov 2019
Fairground Frights
Come one, come all, and experience the thrills of a lifetime! In this episode, horrifying pageantry is displayed at full force, where we showcase some of the most terrifying stories of fairground frights from this world, and beyond! First, Markeia starts this festive Halloween ep ... Show More
29m 11s
<p>Alex Schmidt and Katie Goldin explore why Ferris wheels are secretly incredibly fascinating.</p><p>Visit <a href="http://sifpod.fun/" target="_blank">http://sifpod.fun/</a> for research sources, handy links, and this week's bonus episode.</p><p>Hang out with us on the new SIF ... Show More
