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

January 19, 2026 3 mins
Episode: 1511 In which the lotus blossom gives a lesson in engineering design.  Today, lotus petals and high-tech.
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Episode: 1510 Thomas Sopwith's hundredth birthday.  Today, we meet the oldest airplane designer.
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Episode: 1509 Late 18th century competition among roads, canals and railways.  Today, we look at roads, canals, and railways.
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Episode: 1508 The alchemists and chemistry before the middle 19th century.  Today, we remember alchemy.
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Episode: 2550 Could Napoleon have proved Napoleon's Theorem?  Today, did he, or didn't he?
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Episode: 3244 Bias and Diversity in Photography and Face Recognition Software.  Today, bodies, in beautiful black and white.
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Episode: 1856 Form and feeling, a necessary partnership.  Today, our guest. Seattle actor Megan Cole, considers a necessary partnership.
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Episode: 1507 Rediscovering lighter-than-air flight.  Today, do you suppose you'll ever get to ride in a dirigible?
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Episode: 1506 The invisible invention of the clock.  Today, we look for the first mechanical clock.
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Episode: 1503 The second generation of women fliers comes to maturity.  Today, a new generation of women fliers.
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Episode: 1502 In which the temptress Moon leads calendar-makers astray.  Today, the moon deceives us.
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Episode: 2038 Putting a leap second in an elastic year.  Today, we add a second to our lives.
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Episode: 2566 Taking Champagne to the Masses.  Today, we pop the cork.
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Episode: 2364 46 BC: In which Julius Caesar creates the longest year.  Today, UH scholar Richard Armstrong tells us about the longest year in history.
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Episode: 1501 The orientation of continents determines their development.  Today, the advantage of being horizontal.
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Episode: 1500 1500th episode and 2000 AD: A poor time to summarize.  Today, we reach a landmark.
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Episode: 1499 Domestic animals: A tricky marriage between human and beast.  Today, we try to domesticate a wild animal.
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January 2, 2026 3 mins
Episode: 1563 Looking back at the impact of toys.  Sorting through a box the other day, I found old toys -- a lead soldier, a stuffed dog, a set of blocks.
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Episode: 1760 The Christmas Lectures: Michael Faraday's Gift to children.  Today, the Christmas Lectures.
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Episode: 3348  The unspoken binding tissue of Christmas – and of Hanukkah.  Today, a Merry Christmas to all.
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