Inventions & Inventors

This adaptation of New York Times best-selling author Steven Johnson's adult book and popular PBS series explores the fascinating and interconnected stories of innovations - like clean drinking water and electricity - that changed the way people live....

Did you know that the ice cream sundae was invented because of a law forbidding the sale of ice cream on Sundays? Arranged in alphabetical order, this fascinating book is packed with the stories behind these and over 100 more inventions. Listen for more....

Video games evolved over decades from simple consoles to cutting-edge entertainment in homes and arcades. In the twenty-first century, they've also become some of the world's most popular apps. Find out more about the technological innovations that have made video game history....

In December of 1938, a chemist in a German laboratory made a shocking discovery: When placed next to radioactive material, a Uranium atom split in two. That simple discovery launched a scientific race that spanned three continents....

One day in 1882, Thomas Edison flipped a switch that lit up lower Manhattan with incandescent light and changed the way people live ever after. The electric light bulb was only one of thousands of Edison’s inventions, which include the phonograph and the kinetoscope....

How much do you know about Philo T. Farnsworth? Find out the facts you need to know about this inventor, scientist, and TV pioneer. You’ll learn about the early life, challenges, and major accomplishments of this important American.

From the stethoscope to the clinical trial, this exploration of scientific inquiry celebrates the greatest inventions in medicine. Get to know the physicians, scientists, and other researchers responsible for these breakthroughs in medicine, and explore the ups, the downs, and the eureka moments that are science in action.

A dirt trail in the woods is covered with thick mud and big bumps. What vehicle can get through? An ATV! All-terrain vehicles have wide, bumpy tires that provide good grip on all types of land. Young listeners will find out about the types of ATVs, their main parts, and how these versatile vehicles can be used for work and fun.

Vroom! A semitruck roars as it goes up a steep hill. The trailer is loaded with goods. A truck with a big engine pulls the trailer along. Together, the truck and trailer have 18 wheels! Young listeners will find out about the main parts of these huge vehicles, the kinds of cargo they carry, and why they are an important type of transportation.

Electric cars are becoming more common around the world. Young listeners will get a basic introduction to the main parts of these vehicles. They will see how electric cars are different from gas-powered vehicles and why electric cars are better for the environment. Get young listeners excited about electric vehicles!

Zoom! Who needs four wheels when two wheels can be so much fun? While street motorcycles zoom around cities, dirt bikes fly over jumps and twist around dirt trails. Young listeners will find out about the types of motorcycles, their main parts, and why these vehicles are so popular.

Some race cars look a lot like regular cars. Others have thin bodies and open wheels. Some race on dirt, while others race on smooth paved tracks. But they all have one thing in common...speed!

Human transportation has come a long way since the invention of the wheel. Vehicles of all sorts have us speeding across land, through water, and in the skies. What might be next? From self-driving cars to jet packs, listeners will discover exciting new ways they may get around in the future.

From the written word to the cell phone, human communication has come a long way. What might the future hold? Listeners can discover how virtual reality, holograms, and a fully connected "internet of things" may affect how they communicate in the near and distant future.

Hear about some of the world's most messed-up medical mishaps. Find out how each procedure, tool, or surgery failed, the basic science that was missed, and what doctors learned from their mistakes.

Hear about some of the world's greatest gadget disasters. Find out how each gadget failed, what went wrong with its design or manufacture, and what programmers learned from their mistakes.

Hear about some of the world's biggest building blunders. Find out how each structure failed, the basic building block that was missed during construction, and what engineers learned from their mistakes.

From laboratory robots to robotic prosthetics, this exploration of scientific inquiry celebrates the greatest developments to date in medical robotics. Get to know the physicians, scientists, and other researchers responsible for these breakthroughs in medicine, and explore the ups, the downs, and the eureka moments that are science in action.

From the discovery of the Polio vaccine to the breakthrough in mRNA vaccines for COVID-19, this exploration of scientific inquiry celebrates the greatest developments to date in vaccine science. Get to know the physicians, scientists, and other researchers responsible for these breakthroughs in medicine, and explore the ups, the downs, and the eureka moments that are science in action.

Fifteen-year-olds Fenley Scurlock and Jason Liaw had both started businesses by the time they'd reached middle school. In this groundbreaking book, these young entrepreneurs interview leaders involved with brand-name businesses like MasterClass, Hallmark, IKEA, Parachute, and more. They ask questions every burgeoning exec wants to know: How can I get started? Is college worth it? What skills do I need? How did YOU make it big?