AMSEcast

Noted historian Walter Borneman recently spoke to us about his book, MacArthur at War: World War II in the Pacific. Few characters loom as large in that war than Douglas MacArthur, and Walt's book gives a terrific look at how this enigmatic man helped lead our nation to victory over the Japanese. After his narrow escape from the Philippines as the Japanese invaded, MacArthur set up his headquarter...

On this episode, being recorded at the National Academy of Sciences Building in Washington, DC, I'm very honored to be joined by Dr. Alton D. Romig, Jr. Al has had a truly exceptional career, full of more awards than I can list today. Most recently, for example, the 2024 IEEE McClure Citation of Honor for engineering leadership, and more positions than I can include today, but they've included lea...

We always celebrate at our museums the rich history of American innovation, but we're putting a special spotlight on that history as we approach the nation's semiquincentennial in 2026. To help us with that, we spoke on our podcast, AMSEcast, with Kathleen Carlucci, the Director of the Thomas Edison Center at Menlo Park. Thanks to his host of revolutionary innovations and inventions, Thomas Edison...

Jack Kelly joins Alan on this episode of AMSEcast to talk about his book Gunpowder: Alchemy, Bombards, and Pyrotechnics. They discuss gunpowder's accidental invention in 10th-century China and its explosive mix of saltpeter, charcoal, and sulfur. Kelly explains how gunpowder shaped science and warfare, fueling revolutions in physics, ending the era of castles, and powering colonial empires. Though...

Alan Lowe speaks with Dr. Simon Cordery about the transformative role of railroads in American history. From the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad in 1828 to a national network by 1916, Cordery details how rail shaped commerce, industry, and infrastructure. He also explores regulation, from early oversight efforts to the 1980 Staggers Act, which revitalized the struggling industry. The conversation touc...

Alan talks with historian Walter Borneman about his book MacArthur at War: World War II in the Pacific. They examine General Douglas MacArthur's early career, his leadership in the Philippines, and his strategic command from Australia. Borneman discusses MacArthur's evolving coordination with the Navy, his key role in island-hopping operations, and his push to reclaim the Philippines. They also ex...

Given the centrality of uranium to the story of the Manhattan Project, the creation of Oak Ridge, and the ongoing nuclear renaissance, I thought it would be good to learn more about that element , so I spoke on our podcast, AMSEcast , with Tom Zoellner about his fascinating book, Uranium: War, Energy, and the Rock that Shaped the World . I started by asking why uranium is so unique and so suited t...

Alan Lowe speaks with Dr. Margaret Weitekamp of the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum about its transformation ahead of America's 250th anniversary. They explore how new exhibits, immersive storytelling, and iconic artifacts like the Wright Flyer, Space Shuttle Discovery, and Neil Armstrong's spacesuit bring aviation and space history to life. Weitekamp discusses the museum's role as bot...

Kathleen Carlucci, director of the Thomas Edison Center at Menlo Park, joins AMSEcast to discuss Edison's lasting impact on American innovation. From his early love of telegraphy to his system-wide inventions in sound, light, and film, Edison redefined how ideas were developed and assembled skilled teams in the world's first "invention factory." Carlucci highlights his resilience, collaborative sp...

Dr. Josh Levy is a historian of science and technology at the Library of Congress. In this episode of AMSEcast, he highlights key figures and artifacts from all across America's innovation history. From Samuel Morse's early telegraph designs to George Washington Carver's advocacy for sustainable farming, Levy reveals stories of invention and resilience. He also discusses aviation pioneer Lt. Thoma...

Alan is joined by Peter Armstrong, president of Mystic Seaport Museum, to continue our celebration of 250 years of American innovation. Peter reflects on his 25 years in museum leadership and shares insights into Mystic's long shipbuilding history. The museum, the largest maritime museum in the U.S., features historic vessels like the Charles W. Morgan, clipper ships, and a converted diesel-electr...

AMSEcast continues celebrating 250 years of American innovation with Curtis Gregory. A park ranger at the George Washington Carver National Monument, Curtis sits down with Alan to share Carver's inspiring journey from enslavement to becoming a pioneering scientist and educator who transformed Southern agriculture. Known for promoting peanuts and sweet potatoes as sustainable crops, Carver created...

Alan speaks with Dr. Guru Madhavan at the National Academy of Sciences in Washington, DC, as we continue our series marking 250 years of American innovation. Guru, a leader at the National Academy of Engineering, explores the Academy's Civil War origins, its lasting role in advising the U.S. government, and its influence on everything from compass design to pandemic response. He discusses how inno...

AMSEcast celebrates 250 years of American innovation with Dr. Andrew Hammond, historian and curator at the International Spy Museum. Hammond explores the evolution of intelligence and espionage, from trial-and-error codebreaking by pioneers like the Friedmans to today's cutting-edge technology. He highlights cryptographic breakthroughs, spy tools, and covert communication methods like one-time pad...

We continue to celebrate 250 years of American innovation with Don Bennett, Deputy Associate Director of the U.S. Mint's Manufacturing Directorate. He joins Alan on this episode of AMSEcast to talk about the Mint's history, operations, and cutting-edge advancements. With facilities in Philadelphia, Denver, West Point, and San Francisco, the Mint produces coins using robotics, high-speed presses, a...

What you didn't know about the Presidents and the scientific process is on exhibit at AMSE.

Welcome to the AMSE Science Report. Today we speak with Mark Miodownik about his terrific book, It's a Gas: The Magnificent and Elusive Elements that Expand Our World. A fascinating conversation began by asking a very basic question – what is a gas?

Award-winning science writer Dava Sobel returns to AMSEcast to discuss her latest book, The Elements of Marie Curie. She and host Alan explore Curie's groundbreaking research, her struggles against societal barriers, and her enduring impact on science and women in STEM. From her discovery of polonium and radium to mentoring future pioneers like Ellen Gleditsch and Marguerite Perey, Curie's legacy...

With support from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, AMSEcast is celebrating 250 years of American innovation with expert interviews. CEO of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and executive publisher of Science, Dr. Sudip Parikh joins Alan on this episode to explore the forces shaping scientific progress. He highlights interdisciplinary collaboration, the impact of...

Executive Officer of the National Academy of Engineering, Dr. Al Romig joins this special edition of AMSEcast, recorded at the National Academy of Sciences Building in Washington. Dr. Romig has led a distinguished career including leadership roles at Sandia National Lab, Lockheed Martin's Skunk Works, and now as Executive Officer of the National Academy of Engineering. He and Alan discuss key inno...

Tom Zoellner, award-winning writer and Chapman University professor, joins AMSEcast to discuss his book Uranium: War, Energy and the Rock that Shaped the World. He and Alan discuss the discovery of uranium, its radioactive nature, and its historical impact. Once dismissed as worthless by miners, uranium became vital to energy and warfare. The U.S. uranium rush peaked in the 1950s but has since dec...

Alan takes a trip to the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History to speak with Nicole Webster, the Manager of School and Teacher Programs, and Jennifer Collins, Learning Experience Manager for Exhibits and Initiatives. Broadcasting from the museum itself, the discussion revolves around its fascinating history, impressive collections, and impactful educational initiatives. With over 4 millio...

Materials scientist and BBC presenter Dr. Mark Miodownik joins AMSEcast to discuss his latest book, It's a Gas. He explores the hidden world of gases, from steam's role in electricity production to methane's surprising history. The conversation spans George Washington's scientific curiosity, oxygen's life-saving importance, and the chemistry of scent. Mark also unpacks the science of hot air and h...

Keith Houston, author of the book, Empire of the Sum: The Rise and Reign of the Pocket Calculator joined us to recently to speak on our podcast AMSEcast. We talked about counting and ciphering from the earliest days of humanity up to the momentous creation of those wonderful pocket devices in the 1970's. One of the historic models we spoke about was the TI 81 that became a worldwide sensation for...