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.
This podcast episode investigates the Schwerbelastungskörper, a massive concrete structure in Berlin built by the Nazis to test soil conditions for their planned Germania megacity. The interview explores Hitler's vision for a monumental, neoclassical Berlin, the role of architect Albert Speer, and the ultimately unrea...
This podcast episode is a recording of a live Q&A session with Roman Mars and Elliott, discussing their 99% Invisible series on Robert Caro's "The Power Broker." The hosts share their impressions of the book after multiple readings, focusing on their evolving perspectives and favorite sections. They then discuss high...
This podcast episode investigates the surprising origin of the widely recognized image of Jesus Christ. The hosts discuss how Warner Salmon's 1940 painting, "Head of Christ," became the dominant visual representation of Jesus globally, influenced by its realistic style mimicking contemporary studio photography and its...
This episode of 99% Invisible interviews Nick Mott, host of the podcast "The Wide Open," about his series on the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The interview begins with Mott's personal journey leading to his interest in the ESA, then delves into the historical context of the act's passage in 1973 and its initial bipar...
This interview podcast explores the history and consequences of the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), a federally owned electricity provider. The episode begins with the TVA's origins in the New Deal, highlighting its initial success in electrifying the impoverished Tennessee Valley and providing social services. How...
This podcast episode is a recap of previous episodes reviewing Robert Caro's The Power Broker, focusing on Robert Moses's life and career. The hosts summarize key events from various chapters, tracing Moses's transformation from idealistic reformer to powerful, sometimes ruthless, figure in New York City development. ...
This news podcast revisits a 2017 report on the origins of the sanctuary movement in the US, gaining renewed relevance with Donald Trump's return to office and his promised mass deportation plans. The podcast traces the movement's beginnings in Tucson, Arizona in the 1980s, detailing how churches sheltered Central Ame...
This interview-style podcast episode explores the surprisingly well-preserved library of Ashurbanipal, the Assyrian king. The episode begins by highlighting the scarcity of everyday life documents from ancient civilizations, then introduces the discovery of tens of thousands of clay tablets in Nineveh, revealing detai...
In this episode of 99% Invisible, we dive into three intriguing mini-stories: the evolution and effects of the snooze button, the unexpected role of neon signs in Cold War Poland as a means of social control, and the brief experiment with incorporating scent into cinema through Smell-O-Vision. The narrative kicks off w...
In this episode of the Hyperfixed podcast, the host delves into the reasons grocery stores favor open-air refrigeration units over closed-door refrigerators. Addressing listener concerns about energy waste, the episode features interviews with a grocery store designer, a physicist, and a retail consultant. The discussi...
In this episode of 99% Invisible, we delve into the remarkable transformation of Times Square, which evolved from a crime-ridden neighborhood in the mid-20th century into a vibrant, family-friendly tourist hub. This revitalization, however, came with controversy; it involved the use of eminent domain, displacing numero...
In this final episode of our podcast series on Robert Caro's "The Power Broker," we delve into the later years of Robert Moses. We examine his poor management of the 1964 World's Fair, his increasing clashes with the media, and his intense power struggles with Mayor John Lindsay and Governor Nelson Rockefeller. Althoug...
In this episode of 99% Invisible, listeners are treated to a collection of intriguing short stories. The main focus delves into the surprisingly contentious realm of humorous highway safety signs. It highlights how state transportation departments create these playful messages, often clashing with the Federal Highway A...
In this episode of The Flop House podcast, Roman Mars joins the regular hosts to dive into Francis Ford Coppola's "Megalopolis." The film, known for its stunning visuals but confusing narrative, attempts to tell a fable about urban utopia. As they break it down scene by scene, the hosts uncover a strange plot filled wi...
In this episode of 99% Invisible, the focus is on the 15-Minute City concept, which was developed to tackle the issues of unsustainable urban design and excessive car reliance. Originally intended to enhance quality of life by ensuring that essential services are within a 15-minute walk or bike ride, the idea has unfor...
In this episode of 99% Invisible, we dive into the amusing yet ultimately futile effort by the City of Toronto to create a raccoon-proof green bin. Despite thorough research and collaboration with a raccoon expert, a clever raccoon quickly revealed the bin's flaws, becoming an internet sensation with a video showcasing...
In this podcast, Robert Caro, the author of "The Power Broker," discusses the book's 50th anniversary and its lasting influence. He shares insights on Robert Moses's reaction to the book, the challenge of balancing historical accuracy with engaging storytelling, and the emotional impact of Moses's policies on individua...
In this episode of the 99% Invisible Breakdown, the focus is on Robert Caro's The Power Broker and the downfall of Robert Moses. The discussion transitions from Moses's grand projects and their adverse effects to how small incidents, combined with a new wave of determined investigative journalists, gradually tarnished ...
In this episode of 99% Invisible, host Roman Mars interviews Nate DiMeo, the creator of the podcast The Memory Palace, about his new book of the same name. DiMeo shares his unique storytelling approach, emphasizing how he brings emotion and human experiences to life through seemingly minor historical details. He contra...
In this episode of 99% Invisible, we delve into the captivating histories of two very different beaches: Jacob Riis Park in New York City and Sutro Baths in San Francisco. Jacob Riis Park features a section known as "queer Riis," which has long been a refuge for marginalized communities, thanks in part to the shelter p...
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