Distillations | Science History Institute

Latest Episodes:

Episode 41: Self-Experimentation Sep 19, 2008

Show notes

This week we delve into the world of experimenting on oneself. Many scientists have both knowingly and unknowingly used themselves as guinea pigs in the lab.

SHOW CLOCK

00:00 Opening Credits

00:32 Introduction

01:23 Element of the Week: Radium

03:03 Conversation with Rebecca Herzig

08:04 Chemistry in your Cupboard: Home DNA Test Kits

10:51 Quote: Edwin Emory Slosson

11:14 Closing Credits

CREDITS

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

Episode 40: Agriculture Sep 12, 2008

Show notes

All over the Midwest, farmers are cranking up their combines for the corn harvest. Modern agriculture depends on science and technology at every step of the way, from genetically modified crops, to the fertilizer on the fields, to the fuel in the tractor.

SHOW CLOCK

00:00 Opening Credits

00:21 Introduction

01:21 Element of the Week: Nitrogen

03:27 Feature: Biodiesel and glycerine

08:06 Mystery Solved! Compost

10:43 Quote: Walt Whitman

11:16 Closing Credits

CREDITS

Special thanks to Amy Coombs and Audra Wolfe for researching this show. Additional credits available at chemheritage.org/distillations.

Episode 39: Photography Sep 05, 2008

Show notes

In the eleventh century the first camera obscura was invented, helping artists draw. It would be another eight centuries before people figured out how to capture images directly onto film.

SHOW CLOCK

00:00 Opening Credits

00:31 Introduction

01:10 Element of the Week: Selenium

03:13 Commentary: Objectivity vs. Subjectivity

06:04 Science and Photography at SFMOMA

10:50 Quote: Terrence Donovan

11:15 Closing Credits

CREDITS

Special thanks to David Caruso and Emily Wilson for researching this show. Additional credits available at chemheritage.org/distillations.

Episode 38: Best of Distillations #2 Aug 22, 2008

Show notes

We continue to look back at some of our favorite episodes this week at Distillations.

SHOW CLOCK

00:00 Opening Credits

00:31 Introduction

00:48 Element of the Week: Black Bile

02:12 A Conversation with Jackie Duffin

06:44 Chemistry in Your Cupboard: Pop Rocks

08:52 Closing Credits

CREDITS

Special thanks to Erin McLeary, Robert Hicks, and Chi Chan for researching this show. Additional credits available at chemheritage.org/distillations.

Episode 37: Best of Distillations #1 Aug 22, 2008

Show notes

This week we’re looking back at some of our favorite Distillations episodes.

SHOW CLOCK

00:00 Opening Credits

00:32 Introduction

00:50 Element of the Week: Platinum

03:03 Making Mauvine

08:30 Mystery Solved! Damascus Steel

11:17 Closing Credits

CREDITS

Special thanks to Hilary Domush and Chi Chan for researching this show. Additional credits available at chemheritage.org/distillations.

Episode 36: Olympics Aug 15, 2008

Show notes

Addicted to the Olympics? Take a break from too much video with 12 minutes of audio. On today's show, we investigate Olympic mysteries, from the flame of the torch to the composition of those so-called gold medals.

SHOW CLOCK

00:00 Opening Credits

00:31 Introduction

01:12 Element of the Week: Gold

03:13 Mystery Solved! The Olympic Torch

06:01 Citizen Air Quality Monitoring

10:43 Quote: Albert Camus

11:03 Closing Credits

CREDITS

Special thanks to Hilary Domush and Andrew Stelzer for researching this show. Additional credits available at https://sciencehistory.org/stories/distillations-pod/olympics/

Episode 35: Things We Wear Aug 08, 2008

Show notes

This week we discuss the chemistry behind what we wear. Many modern fabrics include synthetic materials, and these synthetics would not be possible without chemistry.

SHOW CLOCK

00:00 Opening Credits

00:31 Introduction

01:00 Element of the Week: Aluminum

03:20 Leather Tanning in India

08:18 Chemistry in Your Cupboard: Pantyhose

11:02 Robert’s Farewell

11:20 Quote: Mark Twain

11:33 Closing Credits

CREDITS

Special thanks to Erin McLeary, Jean Parker, and Jennifer Dionisio for researching this show. Additional credits available at chemheritage.org/distillations.

Episode 34: Criminal Chemistry Aug 01, 2008

Show notes

We’re rather fond of chemistry here at Distillations, but even we have to admit that not everyone who’s interested in chemistry is inspired purely by a love of science. On today’s show we explore the uses of chemistry on either side of the law.

SHOW CLOCK

00:00 Opening Credits

00:31 Introduction

01:08 Element of the Week: Arsenic

03:12 A Conversation with Jay Aronson

07:34 Review: Breaking Bad

10:58 Quote: Emma Goldman

11:09 Closing Credits

CREDITS

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

Episode 33: Molecular Gastronomy Jul 25, 2008

Show notes

The term molecular gastronomy can sound pretentious, but food writer Harold McGee describes it as “the science of deliciousness.” Learn more about the science of food (and deliciousness) in this week’s episode.

SHOW CLOCK

00:00 Opening Credits

00:30 Introduction

01:14 Element of the Week: Bismuth

03:39 Mystery Solved! The Perfect Egg

06:28 Chemistry in the Kitchen: Making Mousse Without Dairy

11:04 Quote: Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin

11:19 Closing Credits

CREDITS

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

Episode 32: Religious Experience Jul 18, 2008

Show notes

There’s an old stereotype that portrays science and religion as inevitably mired in conflict. On today’s show we look past the clichés—evolution and Galileo and all that—for some areas where the two have something constructive to say to each other.

SHOW CLOCK

00:00 Opening Credits

00:32 Introduction

01:01 Element of the Week: Pneuma

03:00 A Conversation with Jackie Duffin

07:55 Mystery Solved! Zombies

10:42 Quote: Albert Einstein

11:02 Closing Credits

CREDITS

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