Showing titles in Inventions & Inventors

John Logie Baird loves inventing things! When he hears about another inventor who has built a machine to show real live pictures, John sets about trying to do the same. Equipped with bits and pieces found in his house, John begins a journey that will change the course of history forever.

Have you ever stared into the night sky, full of stars and planets? As a kid, Neil deGrasse Tyson was star-struck when he first visited a planetarium. The universe was calling him. Tyson pursued his interest in astronomy and studied to be an astrophysicist. In 1996, he became the director of New York's Hayden Planetarium. He is passionate about teaching people about the universe. Known for making science fun and easy to understand, he has hosted and appeared on TV shows such as Nova ScienceNow and The Daily Show with Jon Stewart.

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.

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!

It's time to go camping! With an RV, you will have everything you need! An RV is like a house on wheels. It has beds for sleeping. You can cook in an RV's kitchen. There are comfy places to sit too.

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.

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 fastest transportation breakdowns. Find out how each form of transportation failed, the basic engineering missed during construction, and what engineers 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 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.

You probably use Wi-Fi all the time to connect to the internet through your laptop, tablet, or phone. It's easy. Wi-Fi hotspots surround you as you go through your day—from school to a pizza place or coffee shop, and then back home. Not so long ago, the internet wasn't as accessible. Find out how Wi-Fi works, how it became commonplace, and what it might do for you in the future.

In science fiction, deflector shields protect ships, bases, and even planets from enemy attack. How could a protective space that absorbs energy from weapons be created? Scientists have some ideas, which include using lasers. Discover the science and technology behind what it would take to make a real-life deflector shield!

In science fiction, energy blades are weapons or tools that look like glowing swords. How could one of these powerful devices work? Scientists have some ideas, which include using plasma. Discover the science and technology behind what it would take to make a real-life energy blade!

In science fiction, flying cars let people soar over traffic jams and get to where they're going quickly. How could a vehicle that both flies and drives be created? Scientists' ideas for this involve futuristic materials and technology from drones. Discover the science and technology behind what it would take to make a real-life flying car!

Thomas Edison was a famous American inventor in the late 1800s. His work with light bulbs got a lot of attention. Over time, many stories were told about this work, including that he invented the light bulb. But this isn’t true! Discover what’s real and what’s fiction.

Militaries use robots and drones in the air, on the ground, and underwater all around the world. Drones spy on targets and robots disable bombs to get the job done!