Distillations | Science History Institute

Latest Episodes:

Episode 158: The Alchemical Quest Oct 15, 2012

Show notes

On today's show a special conversation between two alchemy experts: James Voelkel, who curated CHF's exhibit The Alchemical Quest, and Lawrence Principe, author of The Secrets of Alchemy.

SHOW CLOCK

00:00 Opening Credits

00:36 Introduction

01:40 Interview: The Alchemical Quest

13:20 Closing Credits

CREDITS

Special thanks to James Voelkel for researching this show. Additional credits available at chemheritage.org/distillations.

Episode 157: Smoke and Mirrors Oct 01, 2012

Show notes

On today's show we track the evolution of smog from symbol of industrial progress to public health catastrophe.

SHOW CLOCK

00:00 Opening Credits

00:39 Introduction

01:23 Interview: A Sign of Progress

05:08 Donora

14:16 Closing Credits

CREDITS

Special thanks to Daniel Tkacik, Ellis Robinson, and Jacqueline Boytim for researching this show. Additional credits available at chemheritage.org/distillations.

Episode 156: Hard to Stomach Sep 17, 2012

Show notes

On today's show we test your gag reflex. First an exploration of rank, funky cheeses made from your own body's bacteria. Then the history of how distaste evolved into disgust.

SHOW CLOCK

00:00 Opening Credits

00:50 Introduction

01:41 South By South Swab

11:40 Distaste and Disgust

14:45 Closing Credits

CREDITS

Special thanks to Lindsay Patterson and Jacqueline Boytim for researching this show. Additional credits available at chemheritage.org/distillations.

Episode 155: Shipwrecks Sep 04, 2012

Show notes

Ahoy, mateys. Join us on the ocean floor. On today's show we look at sunken ships: how they are preserved, and what they can tell us about civilizations from the past.

SHOW CLOCK

00:00 Opening Credits

00:50 Introduction

01:35 Wrecked!

10:10 Undersea Time Capsules

14:49 Closing Credits

CREDITS

Special thanks to Diane Hope, Michal Meyer, and Anne Fredrickson for researching this show. Additional credits available at chemheritage.org/distillations.

Episode 154: Fast and Slow Aug 20, 2012

Show notes

Good science takes time... or not? On today's show we explore the extremes. First the longest-running experiment in the world; then the near-instant chemical reaction that helps airbags protect you in a crash.

SHOW CLOCK

00:00 Opening Credits

00:50 Introduction

01:26 The Pitch-Drop Experiment

10:22 Airbags

15:05 Closing Credits

CREDITS

Special thanks to Michael Rhee and Stephanie Coleman for researching this show. Additional credits available at chemheritage.org/distillations.

Episode 153: Best Of Distillations #10 Aug 03, 2012

Show notes

We bring you some of our favorite segments from past Distillations episodes this week: attempts to contact aliens in space and the secret behind the sweet sound of Stradivari violins.

SHOW CLOCK

00:00 Opening Credits

00:31 Introduction

01:01 The Interstellar Rosetta Stone

08:02 Strad Secrets?

14:58 Closing Credits

CREDITS

Special thanks to Andrew Stelzer and Anne Fredrickson for researching this show. Additional credits available at chemheritage.org/distillations.

Episode 152: Best of Distillations #9 Jul 23, 2012

Show notes

We bring you some of our favorite segments from past Distillations episodes this week: animal communication in the Sonoran Desert and the toll of asbestos waste on a small Pennsylvanian town.

SHOW CLOCK

00:00 Opening Credits

00:32 Introduction

01:15 Future of the Wild: Desert Communication

09:28 The Ambler Asbestos Waste Piles

14:21 Closing Credits

CREDITS

Special thanks to Diane Hope and Bob Kenworthy for researching this show. Additional credits available at chemheritage.org/distillations.

Episode 151: Tears Jul 09, 2012

Show notes

Today we wrap up the three-part series Blood, Sweat, and Tears. First how it feels to lose your ability to cry; then why onions bring on the waterworks.

SHOW CLOCK

00:00 Opening Credits

00:42 Introduction

01:33 Emotional Tears

09:35 Onion Tears

13:24 Closing Credits

CREDITS

Special thanks to Douglas Smith and Jennifer Dionisio for researching this show. A Distillations Explainer produced by Josh Kurz. Additional credits available at chemheritage.org/distillations.

Episode 150: Sweat Jun 22, 2012

Show notes

Today we continue the three-part series Blood, Sweat, and Tears. First the history of deodorants; then experiments on how perspiration might diagnose diseases like schizophrenia.

SHOW CLOCK

00:00 Opening Credits

00:43 Introduction

01:54 Antiperspirants

07:48 Sweat Diagnostics

15:40 Closing Credits

CREDITS

Special thanks to Gretchen Cuda-Kroen and Anne Fredrickson for researching this show. A Distillations Explainer produced by Josh Kurz. Additional credits available at chemheritage.org/distillations.

Episode 149: Blood Jun 08, 2012

Show notes

Today we begin the three-part series Blood, Sweat, and Tears. First how one man solved the mystery of blood function; then how researchers will bust blood-doping athletes at the Olympic games.

SHOW CLOCK

00:00 Opening Credits

00:48 Introduction

02:10 Blood Puzzle

07:34 Blood Doping

19:19 Closing Credits

CREDITS

Special thanks to Hannah Hoag and James Voelkel for researching this show. A Distillations Explainer produced by Josh Kurz. Additional credits available at chemheritage.org/distillations.

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