Stories of Technology

Series produced by William S. Hammack

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A series of 200+ commentaries on technology and engineering

In 200+ commentaries Bill Hammack explored the technological world. The series was best described by Science magazine:

"Bill Hammack can rhapsodize over the clever design of a soda can or a Scotch tape dispenser. Every week he explores the genesis of ordinary things such as superglue, contact lenses, the Internet, matches, and even SPAM, the canned meat. His light, often humorous essays also provide insight into the cultural forces that speed or hamper the acceptance of new products and the inventors? often unexpected sources of inspiration.? [Science May 17, 2002 p. 1207]

He's revealed the secrets of his high-tech underwear, explored the mysteries of mood rings, probed the perils of nanotechnology, and examined the threats to privacy from technology. Bill's work reflects a humanistic approach: He emphasizes the human dimension to technology - from the trial, tribulations, and triumphs of inventors and scientists to the effect of technology on our daily lives. The commentaries explore the role and ramifications of science and technology within the broader society, and also emphasize the creative aspects of being an engineer. These have appears - in various forms on Marketplace, Illinois Public Radio, and Radio National Australia's Science Show. All were originally produced and broadcast by WILL-AM 580 Urbana, Illinois. They were produced between August 1999 and August 2005.

The series received many journalism, scientific and engineering organizations have recognized his work. He's received the top awards in science journalism: The National Association of Science Writers Science in Society Award, the American Institute of Physics Science Writing Award, and the American Chemical Society's Grady-Stack Medal. [See http://www.engineerguy.com/biosheet/awardlist.htm]
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*Currently just about 150are on PRX of the commentaries are available, but at 2010 unfolds about 100 more will be commentaries will be listed on PRX.

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In 200+ commentaries Bill Hammack explored the technological world. The series was best described by Science magazine:"Bill Hammack can rhapsodize over the clever design of a soda can or a Scotch tape dispenser. Every week he explores the genesis of ordinary things such as superglue, contact lenses, the Internet, matches, and even SPAM, the canned meat. His light, often humorous essays also provide insight into the cultural forces that speed or hamper the acceptance of new products and the inventors? often unexpected sources of inspiration.? [Science May 17, 2002 p. 1207]He's revealed the secrets of his high-tech underwear, explored the mysteries of mood rings, probed the perils of nanotechnology, and examined the threats to privacy from technology. Bill's work reflects a humanistic... Show full description


143 Pieces

Order by: Newest First | Oldest First
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This commentary spells out how science and engineering have impacted baseballl.

  • Added: Nov 02, 2009
  • Length: 02:29
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The story of the invention of color film

  • Added: Nov 02, 2009
  • Length: 02:42
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The QWERTY keyboard (a normal computer keyboard) illustrates a fundamental truth about technology and the marketplace: To dislodge an existing te...

  • Added: Nov 02, 2009
  • Length: 03:01
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The waterless urinal is less a technological object that a political one.

  • Added: Nov 02, 2009
  • Length: 02:31
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How many people attend a demonstration on, say, the Mall in Washington D.C.?The answer is "we don't know" because no one is really counting.

  • Added: Nov 02, 2009
  • Length: 02:35
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The computer mouse seems commonplace now, but it truly revolutionized computers.

Bought by New Hampshire Public Radio


  • Added: Nov 02, 2009
  • Length: 02:36
  • Purchases: 1
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winter day, while ice fishing, Birdseye piled his catch beside his fishing hole. The combination of ice, wind and temperature instantly froze the f...

  • Added: Nov 02, 2009
  • Length: 02:25
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." The key obstacle to these cars, and their achilles heel, is getting the hydrogen to the car.

  • Added: Nov 02, 2009
  • Length: 02:40
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A good package blends technical know-how and psychology. This commentary tells the story of the grand daddy of all packagers: Gale Borden.

Bought by New Hampshire Public Radio


  • Added: Nov 02, 2009
  • Length: 02:48
  • Purchases: 1
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This commentary celebrates the Sears Tower as an American Masterpiece

  • Added: Nov 02, 2009
  • Length: 03:48
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The story of the wonder fiber nylon, which begins with my underwear.

  • Added: Nov 02, 2009
  • Length: 02:53
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This commentary highlights the risk we run from container ship - the blood supply for our global economy. They could be prime targets for terrorists.

  • Added: Nov 02, 2009
  • Length: 02:52
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We often think of the digital economy as "clean", but this pieces argues that the electronic revolution also takes an environmental toll.

  • Added: Nov 02, 2009
  • Length: 02:40
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How we spell the word disk affects how you view laws about copying recordings of music and movies. Lying in the balance is billions of dollars, and...

  • Added: Nov 02, 2009
  • Length: 02:30
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Gore-tex is an amazing material. It is used in mountaineering gear, fishing equipment and ski outfits. Gore-Tex is usually advertised as waterproo...

  • Added: Nov 02, 2009
  • Length: 02:52
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A piece of technology forklore is that batteries last longer if stored in the frig. The decisive answer? Yes and no ... but mostly no.

  • Added: Nov 02, 2009
  • Length: 02:39
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Although voice mail is annoying, that wasn't the intent of its prolific inventor, engineer Gordon Matthews, author of some thirty patents. He said,...

  • Added: Nov 02, 2009
  • Length: 02:38
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The word "Gridlock" seems to have been with us forever, but it is only of recent origin. It appeared first in 1980, and it was coined by an enginee...

  • Added: Nov 02, 2009
  • Length: 02:07
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I spent a night sleeping in one of the most incredible structures in the world: The Ice Hotel in the Arctic Circle of Sweden.

  • Added: Nov 02, 2009
  • Length: 02:50
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Fox Sports made the hockey puck glow on the TV screen. This piece explains how they did it and how difficult it was to do.

  • Added: Nov 02, 2009
  • Length: 02:31