Distillations podcast
Distillations is the Science History Institute’s critically acclaimed flagship podcast. We take deep dives into stories that range from the serious to the eccentric, all to help listeners better understand our world. Hear about everything from the crisis in Alzheimer’s research to New England’s 19th-century vampire panic in compelling, sometimes-funny, documentary-style audio stories.
The Man, the Myth, the Laser
The disputed origin story of one of the 20th century’s most important inventions.
The Yoga Pant Problem
The rise of synthetic fibers and the war on cotton.
The Almost Forgotten Story of Katherine Jones, Lady Ranelagh
The woman beside the father of chemistry.
Sci-Fi Radio Drama
A cautionary tale of technology run riot.
Butter vs. Margarine
One of America’s most bizarre food battles.
Grandmothers Matter
Some surprisingly controversial theories of human longevity.
Refugee Doctors
Escape is only the first challenge.
High-Tech and Amish
Using 21st-century medicine to maintain a 300-year-old way of life.
Political Science
Out of the lab and into the streets.
Rethinking Ink
Lasers, tattoo removal, and second chances.
Making Senses
How biohackers are using artificial perceptions to enhance reality.
The Smell of Shame
How deodorant became omnipresent in America.
Fizzy Water
The unnatural history of a carbonated drink.
Second Skin
The unexpected origin of the sports bra.
(Natural) Childbirth
Once upon a time all births were natural. A lot has happened since then.
The Ancient Chemistry Inside Your Taco
Dive into the world of nixtamalization, a chemical process that allowed the Mesoamerican empires to thrive and tacos to taste good.
Power in the Blood: When Religion and Medicine Meet in Your Veins
Blood is powerful, but it can also be dangerous.
DDT: The Britney Spears of Chemicals
We loved it. We hated it. Now we kind of maybe like it again.