Distillations | Science History Institute

In honor of Black History Month, we reveal the lesser known accomplishments of George Washington Carver, and also pull from our oral history collection the stories of two African-American women fighting to make their way in the chemistry field. SHOW CLOCK 00:00 Opening Credits 00:32 Introduction 00:57 George Washington Carver 04:01 Oral History: Reatha Clark King and Linda Meade-Tollin 13:59 Closing Credits CREDITS Special thanks toHilary Domush and Sarah Hunter for researching this show. Additional credits available at chemheritage.org/distillations.

In this episode we learn about how the mass production of oil paints spawned a new artistic movement and get a tour of artist Dove Bradshaw's studio. SHOW CLOCK 00:00 Opening Credits 00:32 Introduction 01:43 The Evolution of Oil Paints 04:21 Interview with Dove Bradshaw 11:27Closing Credits CREDITS Special thanks to Jennifer Dionisio and Ashley Milne-Tyne for researching this show. Additional credits available at chemheritage.org/distillations.

Rubber has played a shockingly dramatic role in our political and military history. In today's episode we revisit the consequences of the natural rubber shortage during WWII, and how a similar shortage might affect us today. SHOW CLOCK 00:00 Opening Credits 00:32 Introduction 01:00 Natural vs. Synthetic Rubber 04:12 Interview with Mark Finlay 12:03 Closing Credits CREDITS Special thanks to Jennifer Dionisio, Sarah Hunter, and Hilary Domush for researching this show. Additional credits available at chemheritage.org/distillations.

On this episode we learn about the history and future of nuclear power, in the U.S. and abroad. SHOW CLOCK 00:00 Opening Credits 00:31 Introduction 01:08 History of the Nuclear Power Industry 04:13 Interview with Keith Moser 10:38 Closing Credits CREDITS Special thanks to Jennifer Dionisio for researching this show. Additional credits available at chemheritage.org/distillations.

On this episode we are visited by the ghosts of chemistry's past, present, and future, who teach us about Greek fire, red sludge, and the future of the sun. SHOW CLOCK 00:00 Opening Credits 00:30 Introduction 00:44 Greek Fire 03:14 Hungarian Red Sludge 09:46 Death of the Sun 13:13 Closing Credits CREDITS Special thanks to Stefan Bos, Michal Meyer, and Dana Ricci for researching this show. Additional credits available at chemheritage.org/distillations.

This week we continue our four-part series about earth, air, water, and fire. Today’s episode is about air and how the gases in it have been changing ever since Day 1. SHOW CLOCK 00:00 Opening Credits 00:32 Introduction 01:11 A Brief History of Air 05:14 Breathing Toxic Soup 12:45 Closing Credits CREDITS Special thanks to Bob Kenworthy and Jim Burress for researching this show. Additional credits available at chemheritage.org/distillations.

On today's show we look at the Western perspective of Eastern medicine. First yogic breathing; then acupuncture. SHOW CLOCK 00:00 Opening Credits 00:27 Introduction 00:59 Acupuncture 03:29 Yogic Breathing 08:25 Closing Credits CREDITS Special thanks to Gretchen Cuda and Jennifer Dionisio for researching this show. Additional credits available at chemheritage.org/distillations.

This week we continue our four-part series about earth, air, water, and fire. Today’s episode is about fire and how humans have tried to protect themselves from it. SHOW CLOCK 00:00 Opening Credits 00:32 Introduction 01:12 Flame Retardants 03:54 Third Degree Burns 12:36 Closing Credits CREDITS Special thanks to Anna Boiko-Weyrauch and Victoria Indivero for researching this show. Additional credits available at chemheritage.org/distillations.

Today’s show will have your skin crawling… literally. In honor of Halloween we bring you a show revealing a scarier (and squirmier) side of science. SHOW CLOCK 00:00 Opening Credits 00:27 Introduction 00:54 Forensic Anthropology 04:06 A Conversation with Robert Hicks and His Leeches 11:47 Maggots 14:39 Closing Credits CREDITS Special thanks to Margaret E. Wood and Michal Meyer for researching this show. Additional credits available at chemheritage.org/distillations.

This week we continue our 4-part series about earth, air, water, and fire. Today’s episode is about water and the many ways to ensure it is potable. SHOW CLOCK 00:00 Opening Credits 00:31 Introduction 01:28 Portable Water Purification 05:24 Desalination Plant on the River Thames 14:01 Closing Credits CREDITS Special thanks to Nina Perry and Jennifer Dionisio for researching this show. Additional credits available at chemheritage.org/distillations.