Podcast Transcript When humans first managed to harness heavier-than-air flight, they did so by using piston engines and propellers. Several decades later, a more efficient means of propulsion was developed. It could make planes travel faster and higher and could use less fuel over longer distances. In addition to transforming civilian and military aviation, new …
Podcast Transcript Throughout history, there have been some truly remarkable people who have done some truly remarkable things. One such person was Adrian Carton de Wiart. If you don’t know who he is, thanks, ok, because by the end of this episode, you surely remember his story, if not his name. He was courageous, a …
Podcast Transcript Over the last 200 years, railroads have been one of the most important methods of transportation. Railroads helped make the modern world. They are capable of transporting people and goods quickly over long distances at a low cost. However, most people would be shocked to learn that railways predate the development of locomotives. …
Podcast Transcript Located on a peninsula and series of islands off the southeastern coast of China lies what is today called the Special Administrative Region of Hong Kong. Hong Kong didn’t play a central role in the thousands of years of Chinese history. However, it has played a pivotal role in the region for the …
Podcast Transcript In the early 17th century, Japan was witness to a samurai who was arguably its greatest warrior ever. He wasn’t just one of the greatest swordsmen in history; he was a philosopher, a writer, an artist, and, in contravention to the samurai code at the time, he was a vagabond. Today, he is …
Podcast Transcript In 1889, two brothers, Andre and Edouard Michelin, started a company that made the world’s first removable pneumatic tires. Today, their names are synonymous with fine dining around the world. If you wonder what rubber tires have to do with the world’s greatest restaurants, I assure you it all makes perfect sense, even …
Podcast Transcript Cutting across the state of Arizona is one of the wonders of the natural world: The Grand Canyon. The Grand Canyon draws attention not only for its overwhelming size and intricate, colorful landscape but also for the deep and exposed layers of Earth’s history that are visible in its walls. The history of …
Podcast Transcript In 1860, the United States was as divided as it ever had been. The issue of slavery had been growing more and more contentious over the decades and by 1860, things were nearing a breaking point. The presidential election of 1860 literally would determine the future of the country, or if there would …
Podcast Transcript A little over 400 years ago, a group of Dutch investors had a revolutionary idea. They were embarking on an incredibly risky endeavor, and to spread the risk, they were going to share ownership of the new venture. Even better, each part of the ownership in this venture could be bought and sold …