Previous Podcasts
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September 23, 2008.
 Woody Norris invented sound that you aim like a laser beam (24:08). Imagine creating sound out of thin air. Imagine a speaker that can send sound great distances. Imagine that sound beam is so tight that you can hear it loud and clear but the person next to you can't. Hypersonic sound is real and it came from the imagination of inventor Woody Norris. Woody Norris was interviewed on 9 March 2007 by Paul Rosenthal.
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August 15, 2008.
 Gwen Ottinger studies technology's role in environmental justice (18:37) Knowledge is power and in this edition of Prototype Online we look at two technologies helping residents of "fenceline communities" monitor their air quality for pollutants. It's part of a study by Gwen Ottinger at the intersection of invention, public health and environmental justice. Gwen Ottinger was interviewed on 16 July 2008 by Paul Rosenthal.
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July 11, 2008.
 Steven Gdula speaks about an invention "hot spot"--your kitchen! (20:44) Nearly everyone is familiar with the innovation Julia Child brought to cooking in the American home. In fact, her kitchen now makes its home in the National Museum of American History. In this month's podcast, author Steven Gdula tells us how invention and adaptation shaped American kitchens in the 20th century. Steven Gdula was interviewed on 10 June 2008 by Paul Rosenthal.
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June 13, 2008.
 Art Fry's invention has a way of sticking around. (29:36) Many say "I could have thought of that!" about the popular Post-it Note and in this edition, we speak with Art Fry, the man who actually did think of it. Fry tells us how his invention came to be when he was working for 3M. He also talks about how playing golf helps stimulate creative thought. And yes, like many of us, he's a fan of that commercial with the squirrel using Post-it Notes to keep track of hidden acorns. Art Fry was interviewed on 20 May 2008 by Paul Rosenthal.
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May 13, 2008.
 A puzzling look at invention with Peter Winkler. (12:33) Who invents puzzles and what kinds of puzzles are there? It's more than just jigsaw puzzles and Rubik's Cube, as we hear from Dartmouth mathematics professor Peter Winkler. Peter Winkler was interviewed on 16 February 2008 by Paul Rosenthal.
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April 8, 2008.
 Jessica Darraby on the invention of art, or vice versa. (16:31) Where would the world of visual art be without the work of inventors? What kinds of artistic creativity inspires an inventor's ideas? Attorney Jessica Darraby practices in the field of art law, and tells us that art movements like Impressionism might never have been possible without a background of invention and technology to support them. Jessica Darraby was interviewed on 16 February 2008 by Paul Rosenthal.
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March 13, 2008.
 Anthony Levandowski competes by inventing. (18:06) Anthony Levandowski invented a completely autonomous motorcycle called "Ghostrider" for the Pentagon's DARPA Grand Challenge, the only two-wheeled vehicle in that robot car race. Ghostrider didn't win the $2 million prize, but the lure of big cash prizes draws Levandowski to invention competitions. And it put Ghostrider in the Smithsonian collections. Anthony Levandowski was interviewed on 18 January 2008 by Paul Rosenthal.
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February 25, 2008
 Lee Lynd invents for the defining challenge of our time. (15:41)
Not since the 1970s has alternative energy been so hot, and inventors see we're at the tipping point for investment in the field. In the past, uncertainties such as weather and oil prices kept investors from funding energy-related innovation. These days it's very different for Lee Lynd and other inventors tackling what they believe is the defining challenge of our time. Lee Lynd was interviewed on May 3, 2007 by Art Molella.
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December 18, 2007
 Lalith Seneviratne helps communities harness sustainable power (19.36).
Just a few years ago, 60% of rural homes in Sri Lanka had no electricity and no chance of being connected to the national grid. Thanks to innovations from Lalith Seneviratne, rural communities are experiencing economic growth by producing affordable, environmentally-friendly electricity from a crop they can cultivate throughout the year. In the second of several podcasts examining the concept of social entrepreneurship, we speak with Lalith Seneviratne and with Scott Rechler of the Ashoka Foundation, a leader in supporting the world's social entrepreneurs. Both Seneviratne and Rechler were interviewed on April 10, 2007 by Paul Rosenthal.
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November 15, 2007
 Michael Callahan ties invention to social entrepreneurship (20:10)
His most recent invention is a mind-controlled wheelchair to help the disabled move. Now Michael Callahan has joined a movement for positive social change.
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October 11, 2007
 Saul Griffith and the runaway train of invention (18:55)
Saul Griffith, an independent inventor and 2007 MacArthur Fellow, mixes working on inventions ranging from alternative energy sources to low-cost eyeglasses with inspiring young engineers and a bit of kite-surfing.
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September 15, 2007
 Paul MacCready's inventions do more with less (18:38) In the 1970s, Paul MacCready developed the first truly successful human powered airplanes. He saw the critical need to find innovative solutions to growing environmental and energy-related concerns. In this address at the Lemelson Center in November of 1995, he speaks of inventive creativity and warns of future conflicts if inventors can't move our world beyond fossil fuels. Paul MacCready passed away on 28 August 2007, at the age of 81.
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>>Learn more: Read "Unleashing Creativity" by Paul MacCready
August 29, 2007
 Ralph Baer brings video games to your home (20:53) In the late 1960s, Ralph Baer designed some of the first home video games, pioneering systems that enabled video games to be played on your television. He also invented Simon, another popular electronic game in the early 1980s. Ralph Baer was originally interviewed on April 3, 2007 by Paul Rosenthal.
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August 15, 2007
 Robert Jarvik's inventions keep on pumping (14:23) Dr. Robert Jarvik, artificial heart pioneer, recently donated some of his work to the Smithsonian. In this interview, he tells us why people find his life's work so fascinating. We also examine an early artificial heart that preceded Dr. Jarvik's inventions. Dr. Robert Jarvik was originally interviewed on January 30, 2007 by Paul Rosenthal.
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July 26, 2007
 The killer app that killed the typewriter (20:29) Personal computers that calculated numbers were nice, but the world really changed when they could manipulate words. We examine that moment in time with Smithsonian curator David Allison and with Clint and Barb Johnson, who represent a class of early mainstream users of the personal computer. Their first PC, one of the first made by Dell, was recently donated to the Museum. They were originally interviewed on July 5, 2007 by Paul Rosenthal.
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June 20, 2007
 Brad Brewer animates the inanimate (21:33) Puppeteer Brad Brewer directs The Brewery Troupe, an African-American puppet company bringing American history to life in innovative ways. In 1998, The Brewery Troupe created a puppet play that shines a light on African-American inventor Lewis Latimer. Brewer talks about the opportunities and challenges of using puppets for biography. He was originally interviewed on March 30, 2007 by Paul Rosenthal.
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June 5, 2007
 Deanne Bell believes invention is for girls (13:51) Deanne Bell, engineer and co-host of PBS's "Design Squad," talks about inspiring inventive creativity in young people, especially girls. Deanne Bell was originally interviewed on May 3, 2007 by Paul Rosenthal.
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May 18, 2007
 Nate Ball, inventor and co-host of "Design Squad" (18:30) Nate Ball, winner of the 2007 Lemelson-MIT Student Prize for invention and co-host of PBS's "Design Squad," talks about inspiring inventive creativity in young people. Nate Ball was originally interviewed on May 3, 2007 by Paul Rosenthal. Photo courtesy of the Lemelson-MIT Program.
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April 25, 2007
 Norma Miller swings at the Savoy (34:09) Known by many as the "Queen of Swing" Norma Miller holds an important place in jazz history. She is among the originators of the Lindy-hop, an energetic swing dance that began in Harlem in the late 1920s. The Lindy-hop was based in Harlem's Savoy Ballroom and became a dance craze in the 1930s. Norma Miller was originally interviewed on September 7 and 8, 1992 by historian Ernie Smith as part of the Smithsonian Jazz Oral History Program.
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April 5, 2007
 Sharon Rogone invents for preemies (part 2 of 2)(19:17) As a neonatal nurse, Sharon Rogone saw the need for basic, well-designed devices to help care for premature babies. She became an inventor, and started Small Beginnings, a company that specializes in products for preemies. In this podcast, Sharon discusses some of her inventions, including the "Bebeonkers" which is an oral suction device, and diapers specially designed for preemies. She was originally interviewed on January 17 and 18, 2007, by Lemelson Center historian Maggie Dennis and National Museum of American History curator Judy Chelnik.
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March 26, 2007
Sharon Rogone invents for preemies (part 1 of 2)(20:24) As a neonatal nurse, Sharon Rogone saw the need for basic, well-designed devices to help care for premature babies. In this podcast she discusses her first invention, the "Bili Bonnet," a simple mask that shields a baby's eyes from the bright lights used in phototherapy. The Bili Bonnet launched her company, Small Beginnings, which specializes in products for preemies. Sharon Rogone was originally interviewed on January 17 and 18, 2007, by Lemelson Center historian Maggie Dennis and National Museum of American History curator Judy Chelnik.
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February 27, 2007
 Jules Olitski colors the canvas (31:47) Jules Olitski was an innovative abstract artist and a prominent figure of the Color Field art movement of the fifties and sixties. His work is characterized by the exuberant and dominant use of color. Olitski spoke at the Lemelson Center's "Colors of Invention" symposium on November 15, 1997. He passed away on February 4, 2007 at the age of 84.
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>>Learn more: The Colors of Invention
January 25, 2007
 Walter Isaacson at the National Archives (Part 2 of 2) (30:38) Walter Isaacson, author of Benjamin Franklin: An American Life and president and CEO of the Aspen Institute, opened the Lemelson Center's fall symposium by examining the history of communications technology in democracy. The November 2, 2006 program at the National Archives featured Isaacson and Allen Weinstein, Archivist of the United States. In this episode, Isaacson discusses communications technology such as radio, television, and the Web, and also takes questions from the audience.
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January 18, 2007
Walter Isaacson at the National Archives (Part 1 of 2) (44:24) Walter Isaacson, author of Benjamin Franklin: An American Life and president and CEO of the Aspen Institute, opened the Lemelson Center's fall symposium by examining the history of communications technology in democracy. The November 2, 2006 program at the National Archives featured Isaacson and Allen Weinstein, Archivist of the United States.
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December 21, 2006
 Stan Winston helps make robots smart (Part 2 of 2) (37:17) Stan Winston, a groundbreaking special effects artist, has amazed, puzzled, and piqued our sense of wonder in over fifty television movies and feature films, including Terminator, Jurassic Park, Aliens, Edward Scissorhands, A.I. Artificial Intelligence, and many more. In this episode he talks about his project with MIT to create robots with artificial intelligence. Winston originally spoke at the National Museum of American History on November 15 2003, as part of the Lemelson Center's "Inventing Ourselves" symposium.
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December 8, 2006
Stan Winston makes movie magic (Part 1 of 2) (36:45) Stan Winston, a groundbreaking special effects artist, has amazed, puzzled, and piqued our sense of wonder in over fifty television movies and feature films, including Terminator, Jurassic Park, Aliens, Edward Scissorhands, A.I. Artificial Intelligence, and many more. He has won two Emmys and has been nominated for ten Academy Awards, winning the Oscar four times. Winston originally spoke at the National Museum of American History on November 15 2003, as part of the Lemelson Center's "Inventing Ourselves" symposium.
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November 22, 2006
 Ann Moore keeps babies "Snugli" (17:14) An early Peace Corps volunteer, Ann Moore was intrigued by the way African mothers carried their babies in fabric tied to their backs. She re-created the concept in a manner that fit the American lifestyle, and called her invention the “Snugli” baby carrier. Patented in 1969, it changed the way parents carried their "precious cargo." Ann Moore was originally interviewed in October 1999 by producer Al Hillmann.
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>> Learn more: Protecting Precious Cargo: Ann Moore
October 27, 2006
Walter Isaacson explores Benjamin Franklin's legacy (12:12) Walter Isaacson, author of Benjamin Franklin: An American Life and president and CEO of the Aspen Institute, previewed his talk at the Lemelson Center's fall symposium. The November 2, 2006 program featured Isaacson and Allen Weinstein, Archivist of the United States, in a free program at the National Archives. Lemelson Center director Art Molella talked more about the full symposium, which continued on November 3-4 in Charlottesville, Virginia.
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October 5, 2006
 Chuck Hoberman inspires future artists and inventors (part 2 of 2) (16:48) Combining art with mathematics and engineering, Chuck Hoberman has designed unfolding structures--objects that can expand from very small to very large. His work, including a five-story moving sculpture at the California Science Center in Los Angeles, is featured at a number of museums. In part 2, Hoberman is interviewed by middle school students on May 8, 1996.
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>> Learn more: Unfolding Architecture: Chuck Hoberman
September 21, 2006
Chuck Hoberman's unfolding world (part 1 of 2) (13:24) Combining art with mathematics and engineering, Chuck Hoberman has designed unfolding structures--objects that can expand from very small to very large. His work, including a five-story moving sculpture at the California Science Center in Los Angeles, is featured at a number of museums. Chuck Hoberman was originally interviewed on May 8, 1996 by Michael Judd and Helen Weiss.
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>> Learn more: Unfolding Architecture: Chuck Hoberman
August 31, 2006
 Tom Newby makes the Muppets move (18:26) An inventor, designer, and entrepreneur, Tom Newby worked with Jim Henson and the Jim Henson Company from 1980 to 2001, developing the animatronics featured in many films and television programs starring the Muppets and other characters. He has won two Emmys for his innovative work. Tom Newby was originally interviewed on August 5, 2006 by curator Dwight Bowers.
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June 16, 2006
Robert Jarvik mends broken hearts (25:31) Dr. Robert Jarvik's name is synonymous with artificial hearts. His work made headlines in the early 1980s and he continues today to invent medical devices to help those with heart disease. Rarely interviewed, he spoke at the Smithsonian about his career and answered questions from National Public Radio's Michele Norris on October 23, 2004.
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June 6, 2006
 James McLurkin explores robot communities (16:56) James McLurkin is a young researcher at MIT's Artificial Intelligence Lab, where he is helping push the frontiers of robotics by combining ideas from engineering with biology. His robotic ants can work together to accomplish tasks. Hear what he had to say in 1995 and again in 2006. James McLurkin was originally interviewed in October 1995 by Helen Weiss. His updated interview with Paul Rosenthal was in March 2006.
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>> Learn more: James McLurkin, Robotic Ants Inventor
May 10, 2006
 Ashok Gadgil's thirst to save lives (part 1 of 2) (15:43) Ashok Gadgil's invention can save thousands of lives by purifying water quickly and cheaply. Not everyone in the world has access to clean water. Ashok Gadgil's UV Waterworks can purify water quickly and cheaply using ultraviolet light. His invention has helped prevent disease in his native India and throughout the developing world, where clean water is a luxury. Ashok Gadgil was originally interviewed on August 28, 1998 by Michael Judd, former Lemelson Center educator.
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>> Learn more: UV Waterworks: Ashok Gadgil
May 22, 2006
Ashok Gadgil inspires future inventors (part 2 of 2) (15:43) Not everyone in the world has access to clean water. Ashok Gadgil's UV Waterworks can purify water quickly and cheaply using ultraviolet light. His invention has helped prevent disease in his native India and throughout the developing world, where clean water is a luxury. Ashok Gadgil was originally interviewed on August 28, 1998 by Michael Judd, former Lemelson Center educator, with a further interview conducted by the Lemelson Center in May 2006.
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>> Learn more: UV Waterworks: Ashok Gadgil
April 26, 2006
 Jon Hendricks creates a new jazz style with "Vocalese" (21:21) Count Basie with vocals instead of horns? That's Jon Hendricks's innovation in jazz and it earned him the nickname, the "Father of Vocalese." Jon Hendricks is one of the originators of "vocalese," a musical style that replaces the sounds of instruments with a vocal chorus by using multi-track recording methods pioneered by Les Paul. Hendricks, with his group, Lambert, Hendricks, & Ross, launched vocalese to the forefront of jazz with their innovative debut album "Sing a Song of Basie" in 1957. Jon Hendricks was originally interviewed on August 17 and 18, 1995, by James Zimmerman of the National Museum of American History.
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April 7, 2006
 David Baker talks about the sound of color (25:23) Go beyond the blues and listen to the colors of invention, with David Baker, music director of the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra. David Baker, music director of the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra, describes how color is reflected in music, particularly jazz. David Baker was originally interviewed on November 15, 1997 by Reuben Jackson of the National Museum of American History Archives Center.
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>> Learn more: The Colors of Invention
March 10, 2006
 Gertrude Elion opens doors (part 1 of 2) (16:03) Nobel Prize winner Getrude Elion opened doors for women in the field of medical research. Gertrude Elion's dream of curing cancer led he
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Get a behind-the-scenes look at the study of invention and innovation. (21:35). Join the Lemelson Center's director, Art Molella, and staff as they examine the inventive aspects of techno-cities, eco-cities, and the inner workings of urban planning. Art Molella and the Lemelson Center staff were interviewed on 11 and 18 September 2008 by Paul Rosenthal. 
