99% Invisible Mini-Stories: Volume 22
38 snips
Jan 6, 2026 
Join producer Jacob Medina-Gleason as he dives into the controversies of performance-enhancing swim gear, specifically the Speedo Laser Racer's impact on Olympic records. Joe Rosenberg shares the extraordinary tale of Violet Jessop, a stewardess who miraculously survived not one but three maritime disasters. Kurt Kolstad introduces the Art-o-mat project, which turns cigarette vending machines into showcases for small artworks, highlighting creativity and community engagement. These stories weave together themes of innovation and resilience.
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Tech Changed Competitive Swimming
- The Speedo Laser Racer used polyurethane panels to reduce drag and gave wearers a clear performance edge.
- Rapid adoption and record-breaking swims forced governing bodies to reassess equipment rules.
When Innovation Outpaces Regulation
- Full-body polyurethane suits multiplied the speed advantage and sparked another wave of records in 2009.
- World Aquatics banned those suits after seeing an unnerving, rapid spike in record-breaking performance.
Equipment Rewrote Curling Strategy
- New high-tech broom heads functioned like microscopic sandpaper and altered stone behavior in curling.
- Equipment changes reduced the need for two sweepers and triggered rule interventions to preserve fairness.
