The Battery Dope

Why was Stanford University’s first president so eager to prove that no one had murdered one of its founders—despite iron-clad evidence to the contrary? Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-disappearing-spoon-a-science-history-podcast-with-sam-kean--7430574/support.Check out my new book from National Geographic - 'The Museum of Lost Things', about the greatest lost treasures in history!https://www.amazon.com/Museum-Lost-Things-Treasures-Legendary/dp/1426223862

When scientists recovered one of the first submarines in history, from the U.S. Civil War, they were stunned at the state of the bodies inside. There were no signs of panic or distress. So how did the sailors on the Hunley really die? Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-disappearing-spoon-a-science-history-podcast-with-sam-kean--7430574/support.Check out my new book from National Geographic - 'The Museum of Lost Things', about the greatest lost treasures in history!https://www.amazon.com/Museum-Lost-Things-Treasures-Legendary/dp/1426223862

In the 1930s, German scientists tried reviving extinct beasts for the Nazis—using sophisticated science that has uncomfortable echoes in certain conservation efforts today.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-disappearing-spoon-a-science-history-podcast-with-sam-kean--7430574/support.Check out my new book from National Geographic - 'The Museum of Lost Things', about the greatest lost treasures in history!https://www.amazon.com/Museum-Lost-Things-Treasures-Legendary/dp/1426223862

Lassoing giraffes? 🦒 Wrasslin’ Rhinos?! 🦏 When new animals were needed for the Berlin Zoo, its keeper went Wild West on them. His exploits were as wild as the Serengeti itself. (Part 1 of 2.)Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-disappearing-spoon-a-science-history-podcast-with-sam-kean--7430574/support.Check out my new book from National Geographic - 'The Museum of Lost Things', about the greatest lost treasures in history!https://www.amazon.com/Museum-Lost-Things-Treasures-Legendary/dp/1426223862

Birds do it. 🦉 Bees do it. 🐝 But do astronauts a thousand miles above the trees do it? 🚀👩‍🚀 Maybe! Everything you need to know about sex in space.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-disappearing-spoon-a-science-history-podcast-with-sam-kean--7430574/support.Check out my new book from National Geographic - 'The Museum of Lost Things', about the greatest lost treasures in history!https://www.amazon.com/Museum-Lost-Things-Treasures-Legendary/dp/1426223862

An audio excerpt from my new book, The Museum of Long Things. Available now!Our Sponsors:* Check out ElevenReader and use my code "Spoon" for a great deal: https://elevenreader.ioAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacyBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-disappearing-spoon-a-science-history-podcast-with-sam-kean--7430574/support.Check out my new book from National Geographic - 'The Museum of Lost Things', about the greatest lost treasures in history!https://www.amazon.com/Museum-Lost-Things-Treasures-Legendary/dp/1426223862

In the 1960s, NASA needed a better spacesuit. So they turned to the one firm on earth capable of meeting their strict standards—the Playtex underwear company. Episode below!Our Sponsors:* Check out ElevenReader and use my code "Spoon" for a great deal: https://elevenreader.ioAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacyBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-disappearing-spoon-a-science-history-podcast-with-sam-kean--7430574/support.Check out my new book from National Geographic - 'The Museum of Lost Things', about the greatest lost treasures in history!https://www.amazon.com/Museum-Lost-Things-Treasures-Legendary/dp/1426223862

His book on evolution rocked 1800s England. Not Charles Darwin. Robert Chambers, whose infamous tome both horrified Darwin, yet paved the way for him.Our Sponsors:* Check out ElevenReader and use my code "Spoon" for a great deal: https://elevenreader.ioAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacyBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-disappearing-spoon-a-science-history-podcast-with-sam-kean--7430574/support.Check out my new book from National Geographic - 'The Museum of Lost Things', about the greatest lost treasures in history!https://www.amazon.com/Museum-Lost-Things-Treasures-Legendary/dp/1426223862

Nurse Laura Cobb saved more lives than Clara Barton or Florence Nightingale, and under far worse conditions—in a brutal World War II concentration camp. So why did the world forget her?Our Sponsors:* Check out ElevenReader and use my code "Spoon" for a great deal: https://elevenreader.ioAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacyBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-disappearing-spoon-a-science-history-podcast-with-sam-kean--7430574/support.Check out my new book from National Geographic - 'The Museum of Lost Things', about the greatest lost treasures in history!https://www.amazon.com/Museum-Lost-Things-Treasures-Legendary/dp/1426223862

In the 1950s, scientists hated politics. Then one Allen Astin got fired. After that, scientists knew they had to play politics—or face professional annihilation.Our Sponsors:* Check out ElevenReader and use my code "Spoon" for a great deal: https://elevenreader.ioAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacyBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-disappearing-spoon-a-science-history-podcast-with-sam-kean--7430574/support.Check out my new book from National Geographic - 'The Museum of Lost Things', about the greatest lost treasures in history!https://www.amazon.com/Museum-Lost-Things-Treasures-Legendary/dp/1426223862