Distillations

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Revealing science’s role in a complicated and strange world. Produced by the Science History Institute. 

 

Series

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Distillations  
170 Pieces

Science + Culture + History

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Innate 
11 Pieces

Innate: How Science Invented the Myth of Race

Pieces

Distillations Episode 162: A Day in the Life - Noon
From: Distillations
Caption: What's hidden in your lunch?, Credit: Flickr user ilovememphis.
We continue the three-part series A Day in the Life, spotlighting the common chemistry of morning, noon, and night. In this episode, a look at the ...

  • Added: Dec 20, 2012
  • Length: 15:38
Distillations Episode 161: A Day in the Life - Morning
From: Distillations
Caption: When it comes to kids and adults, the debate over fluoridated water has waged for decades., Credit: Flickr user sean dreilinger.
Today we begin the three-part series: A Day in the Life, spotlighting the common chemistry of morning, noon, and night. First, a look at what's lur...

  • Added: Nov 27, 2012
  • Length: 14:21
Distillations Episode 160: Teflon
From: Distillations
Series: Distillations
Caption: "Nothing sticks to 'happy pan,'" raves the bottom of this poster, the first ever advertisement for Teflon., Credit: Wikimedia Commons user trozzolo.
Treasure or toxin? In this episode we follow Teflon's rise from happy accident to indispensable tool at work, home, and even war.

  • Added: Nov 15, 2012
  • Length: 15:14
Distillations Episode 159: Kean on Genes
From: Distillations
Series: Distillations
Caption: Sam Kean reading from his first book at CHF's inaugural Science Cabaret., Credit: Conrad Erb.
In this episode we welcome back author Sam Kean to discuss the secrets and surprises contained in our DNA.

  • Added: Oct 31, 2012
  • Length: 12:22
Distillations Episode 158: The Alchemical Quest
From: Distillations
Series: Distillations
Caption: In Hieronymus Brunschwig’s Liber de arte Distillandi . . . (Strasbourg, 1512) two figures work with one of alchemy’s more grounded practices: distillation. From the Donald and Mildred Othmer Collection, CHF. , Credit: Will Brown.
In this episode, a conversation between two alchemy experts: James Voelkel, who curated CHF’s exhibit The Alchemical Quest, and Lawrence Principe, ...

  • Added: Oct 18, 2012
  • Length: 13:58
Distillations Episode 157: Smoke and Mirrors
From: Distillations
Series: Distillations
Caption: Arthur Henry Knighton’s Caustic Pot House Stacks, “A” Power Stack, “A” Pump Station, and “A” Evaporator Building., Credit: Image courtesy of the Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow Foundation. On view in CHF’s museum.
On today's show we track the evolution of smog from symbol of industrial progress to public-health catastrophe.

  • Added: Oct 09, 2012
  • Length: 14:19
Distillations Episode 156: Hard to Stomach
From: Distillations
Series: Distillations
Caption: A gourmet treat for some; a total gross-out for some others., Credit: Flickr user lmnop88a.
In this episode we test your gag reflex. First an exploration of rank, funky cheeses made from your own body's bacteria. Then the history of how di...

  • Added: Sep 18, 2012
  • Length: 13:13
Distillations Episode 155: Shipwrecks
From: Distillations
Caption: Illustration of the carrack Mary Rose, which sunk off the coast of England in 1545. It's been remarkably preserved, thanks in part to resting in an anaerobic environment. , Credit: Original illustration by Anthony Anthony. Reproduction courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.
Ahoy, mateys. Join us on the ocean floor. In this episode we look at sunken ships: how they are preserved, and what they can tell us about past civ...

Bought by WTJU and XRAY.fm


  • Added: Sep 05, 2012
  • Length: 15:35
  • Purchases: 2
Distillations Episode 154: Fast and Slow
From: Distillations
Series: Distillations
Caption: Professor John Mainstone and the pitch drop experiment.
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-instan...

Bought by WTJU


  • Added: Aug 29, 2012
  • Length: 14:12
  • Purchases: 1
Distillations Episode 153: Best of Distillations #10
From: Distillations
Series: Distillations
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We bring you some of our favorite segments from past Distillations episodes this week: attempts to contact aliens in space and the secret behind th...

  • Added: Aug 04, 2012
  • Length: 15:34

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People who work with Distillations

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Mariel Carr (Admin)
Senior Producer, Distillations Podcast