Distillations | Science History Institute

This week we delve into the world of experimenting on oneself. Many scientists have both knowingly and unknowingly used themselves as guinea pigs in the lab. SHOW CLOCK 00:00 Opening Credits 00:32 Introduction 01:23 Element of the Week: Radium 03:03 Conversation with Rebecca Herzig 08:04 Chemistry in your Cupboard: Home DNA Test Kits 10:51 Quote: Edwin Emory Slosson 11:14 Closing Credits CREDITS Special thanks to Dominique Tobbell for researching this show. Additional credits available at chemheritage.org/distillations.

All over the Midwest, farmers are cranking up their combines for the corn harvest. Modern agriculture depends on science and technology at every step of the way, from genetically modified crops, to the fertilizer on the fields, to the fuel in the tractor. SHOW CLOCK 00:00 Opening Credits 00:21 Introduction 01:21 Element of the Week: Nitrogen 03:27 Feature: Biodiesel and glycerine 08:06 Mystery Solved! Compost 10:43 Quote: Walt Whitman 11:16 Closing Credits CREDITS Special thanks to Amy Coombs and Audra Wolfe for researching this show. Additional credits available at chemheritage.org/distillations.

In the eleventh century the first camera obscura was invented, helping artists draw. It would be another eight centuries before people figured out how to capture images directly onto film. SHOW CLOCK 00:00 Opening Credits 00:31 Introduction 01:10 Element of the Week: Selenium 03:13 Commentary: Objectivity vs. Subjectivity 06:04 Science and Photography at SFMOMA 10:50 Quote: Terrence Donovan 11:15 Closing Credits CREDITS Special thanks to David Caruso and Emily Wilson for researching this show. Additional credits available at chemheritage.org/distillations.

This week we’re looking back at some of our favorite Distillations episodes. SHOW CLOCK 00:00 Opening Credits 00:32 Introduction 00:50 Element of the Week: Platinum 03:03 Making Mauvine 08:30 Mystery Solved! Damascus Steel 11:17 Closing Credits CREDITS Special thanks to Hilary Domush and Chi Chan for researching this show. Additional credits available at chemheritage.org/distillations.

We continue to look back at some of our favorite episodes this week at Distillations. SHOW CLOCK 00:00 Opening Credits 00:31 Introduction 00:48 Element of the Week: Black Bile 02:12 A Conversation with Jackie Duffin 06:44 Chemistry in Your Cupboard: Pop Rocks 08:52 Closing Credits CREDITS Special thanks to Erin McLeary, Robert Hicks, and Chi Chan for researching this show. Additional credits available at chemheritage.org/distillations.

Addicted to the Olympics? Take a break from too much video with 12 minutes of audio. On today's show, we investigate Olympic mysteries, from the flame of the torch to the composition of those so-called gold medals. SHOW CLOCK 00:00 Opening Credits 00:31 Introduction 01:12 Element of the Week: Gold 03:13 Mystery Solved! The Olympic Torch 06:01 Citizen Air Quality Monitoring 10:43 Quote: Albert Camus 11:03 Closing Credits CREDITS Special thanks to Hilary Domush and Andrew Stelzer for researching this show. Additional credits available at https://sciencehistory.org/stories/distillations-pod/olympics/

This week we discuss the chemistry behind what we wear. Many modern fabrics include synthetic materials, and these synthetics would not be possible without chemistry. SHOW CLOCK 00:00 Opening Credits 00:31 Introduction 01:00 Element of the Week: Aluminum 03:20 Leather Tanning in India 08:18 Chemistry in Your Cupboard: Pantyhose 11:02 Robert’s Farewell 11:20 Quote: Mark Twain 11:33 Closing Credits CREDITS Special thanks to Erin McLeary, Jean Parker, and Jennifer Dionisio for researching this show. Additional credits available at chemheritage.org/distillations.

We’re rather fond of chemistry here at Distillations, but even we have to admit that not everyone who’s interested in chemistry is inspired purely by a love of science. On today’s show we explore the uses of chemistry on either side of the law. SHOW CLOCK 00:00 Opening Credits 00:31 Introduction 01:08 Element of the Week: Arsenic 03:12 A Conversation with Jay Aronson 07:34 Review: Breaking Bad 10:58 Quote: Emma Goldman 11:09 Closing Credits CREDITS Special thanks to Jennifer Dionisio for researching this show. Additional credits available at chemheritage.org/distillations.

The term molecular gastronomy can sound pretentious, but food writer Harold McGee describes it as “the science of deliciousness.” Learn more about the science of food (and deliciousness) in this week’s episode. SHOW CLOCK 00:00 Opening Credits 00:30 Introduction 01:14 Element of the Week: Bismuth 03:39 Mystery Solved! The Perfect Egg 06:28 Chemistry in the Kitchen: Making Mousse Without Dairy 11:04 Quote: Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin 11:19 Closing Credits CREDITS Special thanks to Chi Chan for researching this show. Additional credits available at chemheritage.org/distillations.

There’s an old stereotype that portrays science and religion as inevitably mired in conflict. On today’s show we look past the clichés—evolution and Galileo and all that—for some areas where the two have something constructive to say to each other. SHOW CLOCK 00:00 Opening Credits 00:32 Introduction 01:01 Element of the Week: Pneuma 03:00 A Conversation with Jackie Duffin 07:55 Mystery Solved! Zombies 10:42 Quote: Albert Einstein 11:02 Closing Credits CREDITS Special thanks to Robert Hicks for researching this show. Additional credits available at chemheritage.org/distillations.