Design is everywhere in our lives, perhaps most importantly in the places where we've just stopped noticing. 99% Invisible is a weekly exploration of the process and power of design and architecture. From award winning producer Roman Mars. Learn more at 99percentinvisible.org.
The podcast explores the unique naming conventions in Zimbabwe, particularly the use of seemingly random English words as names. It traces the history of this practice back to British colonialism, where English names became a necessity for navigating the new racial hierarchy. As Zimbabwe moved towards independence, the...
The podcast explores Audio Flux, a project revitalizing short-form audio documentaries, led by Julie Shapiro and John DeLore. Audio Flux addresses industry fatigue by creating concise, three-minute "flux works" through themed circuits with different creative partners. Shapiro details the structure, which includes commi...
The podcast explores Michael Bierut's career as a graphic designer, his design philosophy, and current trends in graphic design as he steps back from Pentagram. Bierut reflects on his work, including signage for The New York Times building, which involved breaking the logo into smaller elements to work with the buildin...
The podcast explores the theme of controversial designs in sports and everyday life, focusing on instances where innovations led to rule changes or ethical debates. The discussion begins with the Speedo LZR Racer swimsuit from 2008, which caused a surge in broken records due to its drag-reducing polyurethane layer, eve...
This episode of 99% Invisible features Kurt Kohlstedt and Roman Mars, who discuss and share excerpts from past episodes that relate to chapters in their book, "The 99% Invisible City." They delve into infrastructure by exploring the history and design of stop signs, urbanism through the unexpected rise of miniature gol...
In this episode of 99% Invisible, Roman Mars and Elizabeth Jo delve into Article Two of the U.S. Constitution, which establishes the executive branch. They discuss the selection, powers, and duties of the president, as well as the implications of presidential inadequacy. The conversation highlights the impact of Donald...
In this episode of 99% Invisible, Roman Mars and his team of producers present a series of "mini-stories." Chris Berube discusses the Luxor Skybeam in Las Vegas and its impact on the environment, particularly its attraction of insects. Vivian Leigh shares her fascination with gale.com, a website that receives high traf...
This episode of 99% Invisible explores the history of the saxophone, from its invention by Adolphe Sax in 19th-century Belgium to its rise in popularity in American jazz music. The episode details Sax's early life, his work improving musical instruments, and his ambition to win a French military contract. It recounts t...
In 99% Invisible, Roman Mars introduces a story reported by Nick Mott about a group of hunters in Wyoming who challenge the status quo of public land access. The hunters, led by Brad Cape, discover Elk Mountain, a promising hunting spot, but find it inaccessible due to a checkerboard pattern of land ownership, alternat...
In this episode of 99% Invisible, Roman Mars explores the urban planning principles embedded in Sesame Street, arguing that the show subtly educates children about healthy neighborhood design. Featuring journalist Anna Koday, the episode discusses how Sesame Street's creators, inspired by Jane Jacobs' urbanist ideals, ...
In this episode of 99% Invisible's breakdown of the Constitution, Roman Mars and Elizabeth Jo interview Janet Napolitano about Article Two, focusing on the executive branch. Napolitano shares her experiences as Secretary of Homeland Security under President Obama, detailing the balance between implementing presidential...
In this episode of 99% Invisible, Roman Mars interviews Caroline Fraser, the author of "Murderland," about the connection between environmental pollution and the rise of serial killers in the Pacific Northwest during the 1970s and 80s. Fraser discusses how the toxic fumes from the Asarco smelter in Tacoma, which releas...
This episode of 99% Invisible explores the history of moving walkways, from their initial conception as a form of mass urban transportation in the late 19th century to their current, more limited use in airports. The podcast traces the evolution of the moving walkway through various iterations and failed implementation...
In this episode of 99% Invisible, Roman Mars interviews Elliott Kalan, a comedy writer and former head writer for The Daily Show, about his new book, "Joke Farming, How to Write Comedy and Other Nonsense." Kalan explains his systematic approach to joke writing, which he calls "joke farming," developed out of the need t...
This podcast episode, titled "Gear," explores the surprising connections between the military and the outdoor goods industry. It begins by examining how classic menswear often draws inspiration from 20th-century military surplus clothing, with brands like Buck Mason replicating details from vintage military garments. T...
This podcast episode features Roman Mars and Elizabeth discussing Article One of the U.S. Constitution, focusing on the legislative branch and the powers of Congress. They delve into Section 8, which outlines Congress's legislative powers, including declaring war, coining money, regulating interstate commerce, and the ...
In this episode of 99% Invisible, Roman Mars interviews Chris Kahn, a reporter for The Atlantic, about the concept of "sludge" in customer service. Sludge refers to the intentional obstacles and frustrations companies create to discourage customers from pursuing claims or resolving issues. Kahn shares his personal expe...
The podcast features Roman Mars from 99% Invisible and Ben Brock Johnson from Endless Thread, concluding their "Hidden Levels" series by discussing the influence of video games on the real world and their inherent artistic value. They highlight the game "SEGA GAGA" as an example of a meta video game reflecting the expe...
The podcast "Hidden Levels" explores the evolving relationship between video games and nature, featuring co-hosts Roman Mars and Ben Brock Johnson. The episode delves into how video games, particularly open-world games like Minecraft and Zelda, simulate nature and influence players' perceptions. It includes the story o...
In this episode of "Hidden Levels," Roman Mars and Ben Brock Johnson explore the intersection of video games and movies, focusing on the history and evolution of machinima—movies filmed inside video games. The episode features Andrew Callaway, who discusses "Grand Theft Hamlet," a documentary filmed entirely within Gra...
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