World War II – The Episodic Table of Elements

16. Sulfur: No Mistakes, Only Happy Accidents

July 9, 2018

6:00 am

Leave a comment on 16. Sulfur: No Mistakes, Only Happy Accidents

Adolf Hitler, Calvin Coolidge, Charles Goodyear, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Gerhard Domagk, Nazis, Nobel Prizes, Odor, Pharmaceuticals, Rubber, Satan, Thioacetone, Vulcanization, Vultures, Winston Churchill, World War II

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (30.1MB)

From Vulcan to vultures, today’s element brings stories of unintended consequences.

Continue reading “16. Sulfur: No Mistakes, Only Happy Accidents” →

15. Phosphorus: Dealing With The Devil

June 11, 2018

6:00 am

Leave a comment on 15. Phosphorus: Dealing With The Devil

Adenosine Triphosphate, Alchemy, Allotropes, Annie Besant, Biology, Carl Wilhelm Scheele, Cosmetics, England, Germany, Guano, Hennig Brand, Illumination, Imperialism, Labor, Matches, Satan, World War II

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (27.4MB)

The history of phosphorus is largely a tale of people getting their hands dirty. Very, very dirty.

Continue reading “15. Phosphorus: Dealing With The Devil” →

7. Nitrogen: Taking The Good With The Bad

February 19, 2018

6:00 am

2 Comments on 7. Nitrogen: Taking The Good With The Bad

Adolf Hitler, Agriculture, Alfred Nobel, Belgium, Biology, Clara Immerwahr, Ernest Rutherford, Etymology, Fritz Haber, Germany, Gilbert Lewis, Guano, Pharmaceuticals, Poisons, Robert Bunsen, Women In Science, World War I, World War II

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (37.9MB)

Today we meet one man who’s responsible for the death of millions — and the survival of billions.

Continue reading “7. Nitrogen: Taking The Good With The Bad” →

5. Boron: Working Hard, Or Hardly Working?

February 5, 2018

6:00 am

Leave a comment on 5. Boron: Working Hard, Or Hardly Working?

Crystal Structure, Glass, Hardness, Joseph von Fraunhofer, United States, World War II

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (18.6MB)

Today, we look past boron’s hard exterior to get acquainted with its softer side. Its confusing, gooey, softer side.

Continue reading “5. Boron: Working Hard, Or Hardly Working?” →