Distillations | Science History Institute

Today we begin the three-part series A Day in the Life, spotlighting the common chemistry of morning, noon, and night. First, a look at what's lurking in our bathroom products and what experts say about the controversy over fluoridated water. SHOW CLOCK 00:00 Opening Credits 00:36 Pee-wee's Big Adventure 01:06 Interview: Bathroom Products 04:06 The Fluoridation Debate 13:05 Closing Credits CREDITS Special thanks to Mia Lobel, Joe Rucker, and Jennifer Dionisio for researching this show. Additional credits available at chemheritage.org/distillations.

Treasure or toxin? Today we follow Teflon's rise from happy accident to indispensable tool at work, home, and even war. SHOW CLOCK 00:00 Opening Credits 00:42 Introduction 01:24 The Origins of Teflon 08:46 Interview: Post-War Teflon 14:36 Closing Credits CREDITS Special thanks to Bob Kenworthy, Hilary Domush, Sarah Hunter-Lascoskie, and Amy Kraft for researching this show. Additional credits available at chemheritage.org/distillations.

Today we welcome back author Sam Kean to discuss the secrets and surprises contained in our DNA. He talks to Distillations’ executive producer Jennifer Dionisio. SHOW CLOCK 00:00 Opening Credits 00:31 Introduction 01:33 Interview: The Violinist’s Thumb 11:44 Closing Credits CREDITS Special thanks to Jennifer Dionisio for researching this show. Additional credits available at chemheritage.org/distillations.

On today's show a special conversation between two alchemy experts: James Voelkel, who curated CHF's exhibit The Alchemical Quest, and Lawrence Principe, author of The Secrets of Alchemy. SHOW CLOCK 00:00 Opening Credits 00:36 Introduction 01:40 Interview: The Alchemical Quest 13:20 Closing Credits CREDITS Special thanks to James Voelkel for researching this show. Additional credits available at chemheritage.org/distillations.

On today's show we track the evolution of smog from symbol of industrial progress to public health catastrophe. SHOW CLOCK 00:00 Opening Credits 00:39 Introduction 01:23 Interview: A Sign of Progress 05:08 Donora 14:16 Closing Credits CREDITS Special thanks to Daniel Tkacik, Ellis Robinson, and Jacqueline Boytim for researching this show. Additional credits available at chemheritage.org/distillations.

On today's show we test your gag reflex. First an exploration of rank, funky cheeses made from your own body's bacteria. Then the history of how distaste evolved into disgust. SHOW CLOCK 00:00 Opening Credits 00:50 Introduction 01:41 South By South Swab 11:40 Distaste and Disgust 14:45 Closing Credits CREDITS Special thanks to Lindsay Patterson and Jacqueline Boytim for researching this show. Additional credits available at chemheritage.org/distillations.

Ahoy, mateys. Join us on the ocean floor. On today's show we look at sunken ships: how they are preserved, and what they can tell us about civilizations from the past. SHOW CLOCK 00:00 Opening Credits 00:50 Introduction 01:35 Wrecked! 10:10 Undersea Time Capsules 14:49 Closing Credits CREDITS Special thanks to Diane Hope, Michal Meyer, and Anne Fredrickson for researching this show. Additional credits available at chemheritage.org/distillations.

Good science takes time... or not? On today's show we explore the extremes. First the longest-running experiment in the world; then the near-instant chemical reaction that helps airbags protect you in a crash. SHOW CLOCK 00:00 Opening Credits 00:50 Introduction 01:26 The Pitch-Drop Experiment 10:22 Airbags 15:05 Closing Credits CREDITS Special thanks to Michael Rhee and Stephanie Coleman for researching this show. Additional credits available at chemheritage.org/distillations.

We bring you some of our favorite segments from past Distillations episodes this week: attempts to contact aliens in space and the secret behind the sweet sound of Stradivari violins. SHOW CLOCK 00:00 Opening Credits 00:31 Introduction 01:01 The Interstellar Rosetta Stone 08:02 Strad Secrets? 14:58 Closing Credits CREDITS Special thanks to Andrew Stelzer and Anne Fredrickson for researching this show. Additional credits available at chemheritage.org/distillations.

We bring you some of our favorite segments from past Distillations episodes this week: animal communication in the Sonoran Desert and the toll of asbestos waste on a small Pennsylvanian town. SHOW CLOCK 00:00 Opening Credits 00:32 Introduction 01:15 Future of the Wild: Desert Communication 09:28 The Ambler Asbestos Waste Piles 14:21 Closing Credits CREDITS Special thanks to Diane Hope and Bob Kenworthy for researching this show. Additional credits available at chemheritage.org/distillations.