Patented: History of Inventions
This podcast investigates the curious history of invention and innovation. Did Thomas Edison take credit for things he didn’t actually invent? What everyday items have surprising origins? And would man have ever got to the moon without… the bra?
Each episode host Dallas Campbell dives into stories of flukey discoveries, erased individuals and merky marketing ploys with the help of experts, scientists and historians.
Expect new episodes every Wednesday and Sunday.
Our Editor's Take
Patented: History of Inventions investigates the origins behind everyday stuff. This includes anything from trains, sunglasses, and condoms to the atomic bomb. The podcast seeks to demystify the notion of the one genius creator. Its host, Dallas Campbell, looks behind the romantic story of someone who had a brilliant idea out of nowhere and changed history. He demonstrates that innovation is a collaborative process. The Wright brothers could only have flown with information from others who had researched birds and kites. Technologies evolve from a culmination of discoveries. The host discusses those journeys on a podcast that is both informative and fun.
Campbell has always had an inquisitive mind. He dedicated his journalistic career to researching scientific ideas and innovation. He hosted The Gadget Show and BBC's Bang Goes the Theory. Other shows he worked on include Horizon Guide and the documentary Supersized Earth. In Patented, Campbell is especially curious about how inventions relate to communities. In an episode about linoleum, he talks about the UK city of Kirkcaldy. It was once the leading manufacturer of the product. However, since its use declined, the place lost its prominence. In 1963, all factories closed, and 1,500 people lost their jobs.
Each product or idea on Patented relates to a human story. Campbell examines the people who came up with it, but also those who made it and those who consumed it. He also discusses how people in the past contributed to modern living. For example, monks ended up becoming the most inventive minds of the Middle Ages. Drawings from the 1950s completely mispredicted the way the 2000s would be. They show a mailman delivering letters with a rocket on his back. They couldn't fathom the idea of email but somehow thought people would be able to fly around.
Campbell is not an innovation expert. So, he always makes sure to interview someone who is an authority on the subject. He asks simple questions to help the layperson understand the topics. He also ensures that the conversation stays light and entertaining. Patented: History of Inventions updates Wednesdays and Sundays.
Episodes
