99% Invisible

This podcast explores the techniques used to create scary music and its effect on listeners, discusses the making of a song inspired by a tragic space shuttle disaster, delves into the science behind auditory hallucinations, and includes discussions on crew compartments breaking out and an advertisement for outdoor furniture and premium podcast subscription.

This week on 99% Invisible, we have two stories about the early days of broadcasting and home sound recording, produced by Radio Diaries and the Kitchen Sisters. The sounds that came out Frank Conrad’s Garage in 1919 and 1920 are … Continue reading → Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ to listen to new episodes of 99% Invisible ad-free and a whole week early. Start a free trial now on Apple Podcasts or by visiting siriusxm.com/podcastsplus.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This podcast explores the transformation of a deserted country club in Havana into an art school that reflects the excitement of the revolution. It discusses the unique challenges of designing the art school campus, including the use of locally made materials and Catalan vaults. The podcast also explores the influence of a book on the construction and the cultural significance of Cuban schools in the revolution.

This podcast explores the office of the chief medical examiner in Baltimore, Maryland, and their use of nutshell studies - miniature dioramas depicting scenes involving dead people. It discusses the work of Frances Glesner-Lee, who created the Nutshell Studies and their impact on training homicide detectives. The podcast also highlights the solutions presented by attendees of a seminar on the nutshells, emphasizing their importance as teaching tools. Finally, it mentions the 70th anniversary of the podcast and a challenge coin created to celebrate it.

Exploring the fading popularity of billiards, decline of pool halls in Chicago, challenges in producing billiard balls, transition from ivory to Bakelite, issue with celluloid ping pong balls

Discover the fascinating story of Victor Gruen, the mastermind behind the Gruen Effect, and how he revolutionized retail design. Explore the vision and impact of architect Victor Gruen, who sought to create communal third places through the design of shopping malls. Learn about the rise of lifestyle centers and the repurposing of shopping malls into community-centric spaces. Explore the design and atmosphere of shopping malls, their abandonment, and a website dedicated to documenting their demise.

Explore the tragic life of Sarah Winchester and her construction project to appease the spirits of Winchester rifle victims, as well as the myths and realities surrounding the infamous Winchester Mystery House. Unravel the mystery of Sarah Winchester's house by examining theories and perspectives, and discover the motivations and innovations behind the enigmatic Winchester Mystery House.

Learn about the Ghost Army, a top secret unit in World War II that used deception tactics to trick the enemy. Discover how they impersonated a larger armored division using inflatable vehicles and sound recordings. Uncover the remarkable achievements of the artists from the Ghost Army and the government's decision to keep them a secret until the 1980s.

The pursuit of lock picking is as old as the lock, which is itself as old as civilization. But in the entire history of the world, there was only one brief moment, lasting about 70 years, where you could put … Continue reading → Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ to listen to new episodes of 99% Invisible ad-free and a whole week early. Start a free trial now on Apple Podcasts or by visiting siriusxm.com/podcastsplus.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Explore the historical origins of the Gregorian calendar and its irregularities. Learn about the discovery of the true length of the year and the invention of leap year. Discover the history of calendar reform, including a radical 13-month calendar design. Understand the challenges faced in implementing a 13-month calendar and the significance of the calendar in different cultures.