Ranked #1
The Atlatl Spear Thrower
The Atlatl Spear Thrower
The spear is a truly ancient human technology, but this preceded one of humanity’s oldest mechanical inventions: the atl... Read more
10 Jun 2019
•
57mins
Ranked #2
The Microwave, Part 1
The Microwave, Part 1
You probably use one everyday: to warm up your lunch, to explode pats of butter or simply to reheat your coffee. But how... Read more
18 Nov 2019
•
39mins
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Canning
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In this episode of Invention, Robert and Joe kick off a month of food content with the history of canning! Yes, from Nap... Read more
4 Nov 2019
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Toys, Part 1
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The Pencil
The Pencil
It’s easy to take the pencil for granted, but that eraser-capped wooden cylinder with a core of graphite has a story and... Read more
20 Jan 2020
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Ranked #6
Invention Classic: Chopsticks
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Chopsticks are such an intuitive and precise eating utensil, it’s easy to assume they’ve been with us. But as Robert Lam... Read more
6 Jan 2020
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Ranked #7
The Telescope
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The telescope is one of the most important inventions in human history, ultimately enabling humanity to gaze beyond the ... Read more
2 Sep 2019
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Ranked #8
The Wheel, Part 1
The Wheel, Part 1
The wheel is perhaps the most iconic of all inventions, and yet we are often too dismissive of wheel technology. We’ve b... Read more
11 Feb 2019
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Ranked #9
The Death Ray, Part 1
The Death Ray, Part 1
From ancient myth and the inventions of Archimedes to the work of Tesla and countless sci-fi authors, the concept of a d... Read more
14 Jan 2019
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Ranked #10
Invention Classic: Guillotine
Invention Classic: Guillotine
Once more, for Halloween! The 18th century Guillotine represents the absolute pinnacle of mechanical decapitation. In th... Read more
28 Oct 2019
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52mins
Ranked #11
Ketchup
Ketchup
You love it. You put it on everything. But where does ketchup come from? In this episode of Invention, Robert and Joe ex... Read more
30 Sep 2019
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1hr 3mins
Ranked #12
Roads
Roads
Roads go ever, ever on, but where do they come from? What key innovations link the animal paths of pre-human times with ... Read more
4 Feb 2019
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31mins
Ranked #13
Toilet, Part 1
Toilet, Part 1
While the toilet is not THE most important invention, it's certainly hard to imagine life without one -- and the advanta... Read more
11 Mar 2019
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Ranked #14
Chopsticks
Chopsticks
Chopsticks are such an intuitive and precise eating utensil, it’s easy to assume they’ve been with us. But as Robert Lam... Read more
17 Dec 2018
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53mins
Ranked #15
Air Conditioning, Part 1
Air Conditioning, Part 1
Air conditioning has had a profound impact on modern life -- and in more ways than you might realize. In this trio of In... Read more
9 Sep 2019
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49mins
Ranked #16
The Camera, Part 1
The Camera, Part 1
Photography is one of the most important technological, artistic and cultural advancements of the 19th century. In the f... Read more
15 Apr 2019
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46mins
Ranked #17
The Microwave, Part 2
The Microwave, Part 2
You probably use one everyday: to warm up your lunch, to explode pats of butter or simply to reheat your coffee. But how... Read more
25 Nov 2019
•
37mins
Ranked #18
Board Games, Part 1
Board Games, Part 1
Board games have only grown in variety and complexity in recent decades, but just how far back in time do these curious ... Read more
25 Mar 2019
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48mins
Ranked #19
Sun Glasses
Sun Glasses
It’s hard to imagine how anyone looked cool before the invention of sunglasses, but just when did humans pop their first... Read more
31 Dec 2018
•
44mins
Ranked #20
The Fire Extinguisher, Part 1
The Fire Extinguisher, Part 1
Fire technology depends on the ability to not only create and foster fire, but also the ability to snuff it out as neede... Read more
17 Feb 2020
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45mins
