In 1985, Where in the World Is Carmen Sandiego? turned geography into an unforgettable game of mystery, teaching players while they chased an elusive criminal mastermind across the globe. In this episode, we explore how Harvard-educated brothers Doug and Gary Carlston founded Broderbund and transformed a simple adventure prototype into a global learning phenomenon. We trace the creation of Carmen herself—from an early villain named Professor Esteban Devious to the stylish thief who inspired decades of games, shows, and classrooms. Our conversation covers the game’s development, its surprising educational success, and how Carmen’s red hat became a symbol of clever learning. Join us as we track the elusive Carmen Sandiego on today’s trip down Memory Card Lane.
Read transcript
A Trip Down Memory Card Lane