Engines of Our Ingenuity

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.

Episodes

October 21, 2025 3 mins
Episode: 2818 The Pompeian Paradox and Fiorelli's Body Casts.  Today, the Pompeian paradox.
Mark as Played
Episode: 1461 George Everett Hale and BIG telescopes.  Today, we look through some really big telescopes.
Mark as Played
Episode: 1460 The little-known Japanese art of Chindogu.  Today, the odd Japanese art of Chindogu.
Mark as Played
Episode: 1459 A tongue-tied attempt to say what teaching is.  Today, teaching and ambiguity.
Mark as Played
Episode: 1458 The brief bright day of the electric trolley in Houston.  Today, let's ride the Houston trolley.
Mark as Played
Episode: 2520 Hybrid Electric Car Technology.  Today, we hit the brakes.
Mark as Played
Episode: 2815 The spread of ideas in social networks.  Today, let's talk about engineered social networks.
Mark as Played
Episode: 2638 Artificial Gravity for Human Spaceflight; What is Gained, What is Lost.  Today, astronaut Michael Barratt discusses the pros and cons of artificial gravity.
Mark as Played
Episode: 1457 Eratosthenes's 2200 year old calculation of Earth's size.  Today, we measure the earth.
Mark as Played
Episode: 1456 In which paper goes from China to Europe by way of Samarkand.  Today, paper makes a long journey.
Mark as Played
Episode: 1455 A brief history of dentistry and pain.  Today, we drill teeth.
Mark as Played
Episode: 1454 The sometimes astonishing results of juxtaposing contradictory ideas.  Today, a thought about juxtaposition and contradictions.
Mark as Played
Episode: 2517 Rebecca Clarke: Violist, Composer, Woman.  Today, a woman in conflict.
Mark as Played
Episode: 2978 Henri Matisse cuts paper to design a cover for the art magazine Verve.  Today we look at heroism through cut paper.
Mark as Played
Episode: 3333 Lawrence Morely and Seafloor Spreading.  Today, a question of priority.
Mark as Played
Episode: 3332 From DC Dynamo to AC Alternator.  Today, the dynamo.
Mark as Played
Episode: 1453 Christiaan and Constantijn Huygens, and John Donne.  Today, a tale of two Huygens and John Donne.
Mark as Played
Episode: 1451 Inventing the free public lending library: socialism in books.  Today, we invent the library.
Mark as Played
Episode: 3331 Some thoughts about photography and reality.  Today, Let’s take pictures.
Mark as Played
Episode: 2513 The Importance of Teachers in Shaping our Lives.  Today, remembering our teachers.
Mark as Played

Popular Podcasts

    If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.

    Dateline NBC

    Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com

    CrimeLess: Hillbilly Heist

    It’s 1996 in rural North Carolina, and an oddball crew makes history when they pull off America’s third largest cash heist. But it’s all downhill from there. Join host Johnny Knoxville as he unspools a wild and woolly tale about a group of regular ‘ol folks who risked it all for a chance at a better life. CrimeLess: Hillbilly Heist answers the question: what would you do with 17.3 million dollars? The answer includes diamond rings, mansions, velvet Elvis paintings, plus a run for the border, murder-for-hire-plots, and FBI busts.

    The Breakfast Club

    The World's Most Dangerous Morning Show, The Breakfast Club, With DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious, And Charlamagne Tha God!

    Crime Junkie

    Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.

Advertise With Us
Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

© 2025 iHeartMedia, Inc.