Podcast Transcript Throughout history, conquering armies have carried away the treasures of defeated nations. But during the Second World War, this practice reached an unprecedented scale. The German military stole priceless masterpieces from museums and private collections. Decades later, some of these treasures remain missing, and their fates still draw speculation and investigation. Learn more …
Podcast Transcript Scientific research is usually associated with serious people asking serious questions. However, some of the most fascinating discoveries come from investigating things that seem completely ridiculous. Every year, a special set of awards honors researchers whose work makes people laugh, then think. This year’s winners explored subjects ranging from the bizarre to the …
Podcast Transcript In his will, Alfred Nobel, the inventor of dynamite, left most of his fortune to establish a prize honoring achievements in various fields. Except during the World Wars, the Nobel Prizes have been given out every year, and 2026 continues this tradition. This year, the Nobel Committee awarded 10 men and women for …
Podcast Transcript Thousands of years ago, humans began forming a relationship with an animal that would become one of history’s most important livestock species. It could survive in harsh environments, eat vegetation that other animals avoided, and provide humans with food and valuable materials. Over thousands of years, this animal spread around the world, adapting …
Podcast Transcript Throughout history, scientists have made great discoveries in laboratories, universities, and research institutions. However, some of chemistry’s most important discoveries can be traced to a single rock quarry in a small Swedish village. Over more than a century, scientists studying minerals from this one quarry identified a remarkable number of previously unknown elements. …
Podcast Transcript For centuries, inventors dreamed of creating a flying machine that could rise straight into the air, hover in place, and move in any direction. While airplanes conquered the skies in the early twentieth century, achieving this seemingly simple feat proved far more difficult. It required breakthroughs in aerodynamics, engineering, and flight control before …
Podcast Transcript In 1933, the United States was in the midst of the worst economic crisis in its history. Millions were unemployed, banks were collapsing, and Americans were losing faith in the institutions that had once promised prosperity. A newly elected president entered office promising bold action and launched an unprecedented series of experiments that …
Podcast Transcript In the 19th century, one African ruler faced growing pressure from European powers, missionaries, and foreign merchants seeking influence over her kingdom. She responded by closing much of her country to outsiders, strengthening royal authority, and using methods that made her one of the most feared and controversial monarchs of her age. Her …
Podcast Transcript In the late 19th century, one novel became one of America’s biggest literary sensations. Its story was so ambitious that bringing it to the stage required technological innovations, live horses, and one of the most elaborate theatrical productions ever attempted. Decades later, filmmakers took on the same challenge, first in the silent era …