99% Invisible (Standard Length)

Series produced by Roman Mars

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Trying to comprehend the 99% invisible activity that shapes the design of our world.

A tiny radio show about design, architecture & the 99% invisible activity that shapes our world. From producer Roman Mars and KALW in San Francisco.

In August 2012, 99% Invisible became the highest-funded journalism project in Kickstarter history, raising over $170,000 from 5661 backers.

With over 4 million downloads online, 99% Invisible recently peaked at #2 in iTunes ranking for all podcasts in the US, and had occupied the #1 spot in both the Arts and Design categories.

"Roman Mars lights the radio. His pieces conjure other worlds, grapple with big ideas, make sound three dimensional. They are smart and funny and original. The Kitchen Sisters would like to be Presidents of his Fan Club."
-The Kitchen Sisters, Peabody Award-winning producers for NPR

"We think what he’s doing is inspiring. It has a kind of rhythm and musicality that you don’t normally find in radio or podcast storytelling."
-Jad Abumrad, Radiolab

"I love the show. It's wonderful. [It] actually reminded me of why I love radio."
-Jonathan Goldstein, CBC's WireTap

"Mars is the Ira Glass of design."
-Allison Arieff, The New York Times Opinionator design columnist

Learn more: http://99percentinvisible.org Hide full description

A tiny radio show about design, architecture & the 99% invisible activity that shapes our world. From producer Roman Mars and KALW in San Francisco. In August 2012, 99% Invisible became the highest-funded journalism project in Kickstarter history, raising over $170,000 from 5661 backers. With over 4 million downloads online, 99% Invisible recently peaked at #2 in iTunes ranking for all podcasts in the US, and had occupied the #1 spot in both the Arts and Design categories."Roman Mars lights the radio. His pieces conjure other worlds, grapple with big ideas, make sound three dimensional. They are smart and funny and original. The Kitchen Sisters would like to be Presidents of his Fan Club."-The Kitchen Sisters, Peabody Award-winning producers for NPR"We think what he’s doing is... Show full description


129 Pieces

Order by: Newest First | Oldest First

  • Added: Dec 20, 2011
  • Length: 04:30
  • Purchases: 18
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We're used to interacting with objects. But we're not used to objects that teach us how to interact with each other.

Bought by Rhythm & News Service, WOUB, 90.1 WFYI Public Radio, Rhythm & News Service, KVNF and more


  • Added: Feb 15, 2012
  • Length: 04:30
  • Purchases: 16
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A group accidentally created what ad execs dream of: a unique brand identity that rapidly achieved world-wide appeal and renknown. Except this gr...

Bought by Rhythm & News Service, Spokane Public Radio, 90.1 WFYI Public Radio, Rhythm & News Service, WTJU and more


  • Added: Feb 15, 2012
  • Length: 04:30
  • Purchases: 16
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Sometimes it's an object's imperfections that makes you fall in love with it. And sometimes that object is an escalator.

Bought by RadioFreePalmer, Rhythm & News Service, WOUB, Spokane Public Radio, 90.1 WFYI Public Radio and more


  • Added: Feb 15, 2012
  • Length: 04:30
  • Purchases: 22

  • Added: Feb 15, 2012
  • Length: 04:30
  • Purchases: 15

  • Added: Feb 15, 2012
  • Length: 04:30
  • Purchases: 14

  • Added: Apr 04, 2012
  • Length: 04:29
  • Purchases: 17
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In the US, it’s called a line. In Canada, it’s often referred to as a line-up. Pretty much everywhere else, it’s known as a queue.

Bought by Rhythm & News Service, Spokane Public Radio, WOUB, 90.1 WFYI Public Radio, Rhythm & News Service and more


  • Added: May 18, 2012
  • Length: 04:30
  • Purchases: 20
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The acoustics of a building are a big concern for architects. But for designers at Gallaudet University in Washington, DC, it’s the absence of soun...

Bought by Rhythm & News Service, WOUB, 90.1 WFYI Public Radio, Rhythm & News Service, WBEZ and more


  • Added: May 18, 2012
  • Length: 04:30
  • Purchases: 19
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“Cities exist to bring people together, but cities can also keep people apart” - Daniel D’Oca, Urban Planner, Interboro Partners.

Bought by Rhythm & News Service, Spokane Public Radio, 90.1 WFYI Public Radio, Rhythm & News Service, WBEZ and more


  • Added: May 18, 2012
  • Length: 04:29
  • Purchases: 16
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Even during the construction of the original Tacoma Narrows Bridge, the deck would go up and down by several feet with the slightest breeze. Constr...

Bought by Rhythm & News Service, Spokane Public Radio, 90.1 WFYI Public Radio, Rhythm & News Service, Spokane Public Radio and more


  • Added: May 18, 2012
  • Length: 04:30
  • Purchases: 18

  • Added: Aug 28, 2012
  • Length: 04:30
  • Purchases: 17

  • Added: Aug 28, 2012
  • Length: 04:30
  • Purchases: 19
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Composer Jon Brion reminds us the difference between a performance and a song.

Bought by ABC, Rhythm & News Service, Spokane Public Radio, WOUB, 90.1 WFYI Public Radio and more


  • Added: Aug 28, 2012
  • Length: 04:29
  • Purchases: 20

  • Added: Aug 28, 2012
  • Length: 04:31
  • Purchases: 19
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There are rules that dicate how high you can build. Bradford Gilbert just didn't believe in them.

Bought by Rhythm & News Service, Spokane Public Radio, WOUB, 90.1 WFYI Public Radio, WMUU-LP and more


  • Added: Nov 07, 2012
  • Length: 04:30
  • Purchases: 17