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Podcast: Go behind-the-scenes at the Lemelson Center with director Art Molella
(21:35)
Get a behind-the-scenes look at the study of invention and innovation.
Play it » 10.7 MB file
Learn more » Want to learn more about techno-cities? Read Invented Edens, by Art Molella and Robert Kargon.
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Podcast: Woody Norris invented sound that you aim like a laser beam
(24:08)
Inventor Woody Norris reflects on his famous career.
Play it » 14.7 MB file
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Podcast: Gwen Ottinger studies technology's role in environmental justice
(18:37)
Hi-tech and low-tech give power to the people.
Play it » 11.5 MB file
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Podcast: Steven Gdula speaks about an invention "hot spot"--your kitchen!
(20:44)
Invention in the warmest room in the house--the kitchen!
Play it » 8.9 MB file
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Podcast: Art Fry's invention has a way of sticking around
(29:36)
It's the invention everyone thinks they could have done, but here's the guy who did.
Play it » 12.6 MB file
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Podcast: A puzzling look at invention with Peter Winkler
(12:33)
There's more to puzzles than jigsaws and Erno Rubik.
Play it » 6.3 MB file
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Podcast: Jessica Darraby on the invention of art, or vice versa
(16:31)
How inventors and technology helped create the world's greatest art movements
Play it » 8.2 MB file
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Podcast: Anthony Levandowski competes by inventing
(18:06)
Inventing for competitions is Anthony Levandowski's grand challenge
Play it » 7.8 MB file
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Podcast: Lee Lynd invents for the defining challenge of our time
(15:41)
Inventors and innovators are energized by finding new ways to power our world in the future.
Play it » 8.1 MB file
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Podcast: Lalith Seneviratne helps communities harness sustainable power
(19:36)
In a showcase example of social entrepreneurship, innovator Lalith Seneviratne devised a means to bring sustainable electricity to rural Sri Lanka.
Play it » 8.2 MB file
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Podcast: 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.
Play it » 9.6 MB file
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Podcast: 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.
Play it » 9 MB file
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Podcast: Paul MacCready's inventions do more with less
(18:38)
Paul MacCready, a pioneer in human and solar powered transportation, talks about inventive creativity and foresees the importance of socially responsible inventing. MacCready passed away on 28 August 2007.
Play it » 8.9 MB file
Learn more » Read "Unleashing Creativity" by Paul MacCready
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Podcast: 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.
Play it » 10 MB file
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Podcast: Robert Jarvik's inventions keep on pumping
(14:23)
In this interview, Robert Jarvik donates his work to the Smithsonian and we examine an early artificial heart that preceded Jarvik's inventions.
Play it » 6.9 MB file
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Podcast: The killer app that killed the typewriter
(20:29)
We reminisce about 1980s computer technology and how the innovation of word processing tipped PCs to the mainstream.
Play it » 9.8 MB file
Learn more » Article in Smithsonian Magazine
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Podcast: Brad Brewer animates the inanimate
(23:11)
Brad Brewer of The Brewery Troupe, an African-American puppet company, brings an inventor's history to life with puppets.
Play it » 11.1 MB file | Read Transcript
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Podcast: Deanne Bell believes engineering 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.
Play it » 6.7 MB file | Read Transcript
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Podcast: 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.
Play it » 8.9 MB file | Read Transcript
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Podcast: Norma Miller swings at the Savoy
(34:09)
Norma Miller talks firsthand about the beginnings of the Lindy-hop, an innovative swing dance that originated in Harlem's Savoy Ballroom.
Play it » 14.3 MB file | Read Transcript
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Podcast: Sharon Rogone invents for preemies (part 2)
(19:17)
Sharon Rogone, a neonatal nurse-turned-inventor, talks about her inventions and how they help preemies.
Play it » 8.1 MB file | Read Transcript
Learn more » "A Neonatal Niche," Smithsonian Magazine, February 2008
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Podcast: Sharon Rogone invents for preemies (part 1)
(20:24)
Sharon Rogone, a neonatal nurse-turned-inventor, talks about her first invention and why she started to invent.
Play it » 8.8 MB file | Read Transcript
Learn more » "A Neonatal Niche," Smithsonian Magazine, February 2008
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Podcast: Jules Olitski colors the canvas
(31:47)
Abstract artist Jules Olitski discusses his work and inventive use of color. Olitski passed away on 4 February 2007. He was 84 years old.
Play it » 13.4 MB file
Learn more » The Colors of Invention: An Exploration of Color, Technology, and Culture
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Podcast: Walter Isaacson at the National Archives (part 2)
(30:38)
Author Walter Isaacson and Allen Weinstein, Archivist of the United States, continue their discussion of Benjamin Franklin and the interplay between technology and democracy.
Play it » 11 MB file
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Podcast: Walter Isaacson at the National Archives (part 1)
(44:24)
Author Walter Isaacson and Allen Weinstein, Archivist of the United States, discuss Benjamin Franklin and the interplay between technology and democracy.
Play it » 13.3 MB file
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Podcast: Stan Winston makes robots smart (part 2)
(37:17)
Stan Winston, a groundbreaking special effects artist, talks about his project with the MIT Media Lab to create robots with artificial intelligence.
Play it » 11.2 MB file
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Podcast: Stan Winston makes movie magic (part 1)
(36:45)
Stan Winston, a groundbreaking special effects artist, talks about his work on some of Hollywood's biggest blockbusters.
Play it » 13.2 MB file
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Podcast: Ann Moore keeps babies "Snugli"
(17:14)
Ann Moore talks about inventing the "Snugli" baby carrier, inspired by the traditional West African practice of carrying babies in fabric slings on their mothers' backs.
Play it » 8.3 MB file
Learn more » Protecting Precious Cargo: Ann Moore
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Podcast: Walter Isaacson explores Benjamin Franklin's legacy
(12:12)
Author Walter Isaacson discusses Benjamin Franklin's contribution to the interplay of technology and democracy in American society.
Play it » 5.9 MB file | Read Transcript
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Podcast: Chuck Hoberman inspires the next generation (part 2)
(16:48)
Middle school students interview Chuck Hoberman about his innovative unfolding structures.
Play it » 8.1 MB file
Learn more » Unfolding Architecture: Chuck Hoberman
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Podcast: Chuck Hoberman's unfolding world (part 1)
(13:24)
Chuck Hoberman, artist and engineer, discusses his innovative unfolding structures.
Play it » 6.4 MB file
Learn more » Unfolding Architecture: Chuck Hoberman
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Podcast: Tom Newby makes the Muppets move
(18:26)
Tom Newby explains how he brought Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, and countless other Muppets to life with his innovations in animatronics.
Play it » 8.9 MB file
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Podcast: Robert Jarvik mends broken hearts
(25:31)
Artificial heart pioneer Robert Jarvik talks about his career helping those with failing hearts.
Play it » 10.7 MB file
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Podcast: James McLurkin explores robot communities
(16:56)
In an early Lemelson Center program, a young MIT researcher, James McLurkin, explains how his robots work like a group of ants.
Play it » 7.1 MB file
Learn more » James McLurkin, Robotic Ants Inventor
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Podcast: Ashok Gadgil's thirst to save lives (part 1)
(15:43)
Ashok Gadgil's invention can save thousands of lives by purifying water quickly and cheaply.
Play it » 15.1 MB file
Learn more » UV Waterworks: Ashok Gadgil
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Podcast: Ashok Gadgil inspires future inventors (part 2)
(19:33)
Ashok Gadgil talks about his work to improve health in the developing world.
Play it » 8.2 MB file
Learn more » UV Waterworks: Ashok Gadgil
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Podcast: Jon Hendricks creates a new jazz style
(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."
Play it » 9 MB file
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Podcast: 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.
Play it » 10.7 MB file
Learn more » The Colors of Invention
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Podcast: Gertrude Elion opens doors (part 1)
(17:32)
Nobel Prize winner Getrude Elion opened doors for women in the field of medical research.
Play it » 7.4 MB file
Learn more » Gertrude Elion: Drug Research Pioneer
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Podcast: Gertrude Elion inspires others (part 2)
(16:03)
Nobel Prize winner Getrude Elion inspired others to follow in her footsteps.
Play it » 6.7 MB file
Learn more » Gertrude Elion: Drug Research Pioneer
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Podcast: Wilson Greatbatch makes hearts beat
(21:55)
Wilson Greatbatch speaks from the heart about inventing the implantable cardiac pacemaker.
Play it » 9.2 MB file
Learn more » Making Hearts Beat
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Video: Arthur Ganson animated
(1:15)
Artist and inventor Arthur Ganson offers a glimpse into the ways he makes things move.
Play it » 4.4 MB file | 2 MB file
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Video: Arthur Ganson goes faster
(1:11)
Artist and inventor Arthur Ganson puts a new spin on writing.
Play it » 4.3 MB file | 2 MB file
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Video: What do soccer & chemistry have in common?
(0:20)
Nobel laureate Sir Harold Kroto demonstrates similarities in the structure of chemical compounds and soccer balls.
Play it » 1 MB file
Learn more » The Story of Buckyballs
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Video: What is buckminsterfullerene?
(1:00)
Nobel laureate Sir Harold Kroto explains why he named the carbon cluster that he discovered “buckminsterfullerene.”
Play it » 3 MB file
Learn more » The Story of Buckyballs
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Video: Meet William Phillips
(4:45)
Meet Nobel Laureate William Phillips and learn about his childhood, his work--and a physicist’s sense of humor.
Play it » 3.6 MB file
Learn more » Super Cool Scientist
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Video: Uplifting physics
(1:05)
Nobel laureate William Phillips levitates a magnet to explain how atoms form bonds.
Play it » 6.7 MB file
Learn more » Super Cool Scientist
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Video: How do you describe play?
(4:48)
Does play serve a purpose or is the point of play to have no purpose?
Play it » 14.3 MB file | 6.3 MB file | Read Transcript
Learn more » Does play matter?
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Video: All work and no play?
(4:42)
Is it important for adults to make time to play? How do work, play, creativity and productivity relate to each other? When is the last time you played?
Play it » 14 MB file | 6.3 MB file | Read Transcript
Learn more » Does play matter?
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Video: From child scientist to playful inventor
(4:42)
What does children’s play have to do with the work of serious scientists?
Play it » 14.1 MB file | 6.3 MB file | Read Transcript
Learn more » Does play matter?
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Video: Play to the future
(4:45)
Is the quality and quantity of children’s play changing? How do new electronic and digital technologies affect children at play? How can new technologies provide rich motor and sensory experiences? If play is changing, how will that affect invention?
Play it » 14.6 MB file | 6.3 MB file | Read Transcript
Learn more » Does play matter?
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Video: Edison's tinfoil phonograph
(0:42)
See a reenactment of Edison's first recording of sound, from the Lemelson Center's celebration of Edison's 150th birthday.
Play it » 1.4 MB file
Learn more » Celebrating Edison's 150th Birthday
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