AMSEcast

Host Alan Lowe continues AMSEcast's exploration of 250 years of American innovation with Smithsonian experts Harold Wallace Jr., Dr. Eric Hintz, and Tim Pula. Together, they trace invention from Benjamin Franklin's experiments to modern breakthroughs, highlighting the Smithsonian's exhibitions, collections, and hands-on learning at Spark! Lab. The discussion spans collaboration with the Library of...

Dr. Robert Hettich is a pioneer in bioanalytical mass spectrometry. In this episode of AMSEcast, he describes how microbiomes form, vary across the body, and influence digestion, immunity, and overall health. Dr. Hettich also explains metaproteomics, the study of microbial proteins, to reveal how microbes function beyond their genes as well as their applications from human health to environmental...

Dr. Colwell shares her insight on the progression of women in science through the years. Framed by her own experiences we learn about her incredible work.

Railroads have shaped America's growth, technology, and daily life for nearly two centuries. In this episode of AMSEcast, Alan talks with Dr. Albert Churella of Kennesaw State University about how innovations such as the automatic knuckle coupler, Westinghouse's air brake, and the move from steam to diesel transformed safety and efficiency. Dr. Churella explains how signaling, centralized traffic...

Author Richard Ellis speaks about his latest book The Quest for the Cosmic Dawn. A breakdown of the earliest moments of our celestial cosmic soup.

Author and historian Jay Feldman joins host Alan Lowe to discuss When the Mississippi Ran Backwards, his gripping account of the 1811–1812 New Madrid earthquakes. Alan and Feldman explore the quakes' massive impact, including over 2,000 tremors felt across 1.5 million square miles, and the deep historical context behind them. He explains the ancient origins of the Reelfoot Rift, Tecumseh's eerie q...

In this episode, Mr. Lowe interviews Mr. Augustine. They discuss a variety of fascinating roles that Mr. Augustine has served in over the course of his career. At Princeton he was advised to consider geological engineering but would go on to change his major to aeronautical engineering as he was advised by a peer "that is where the future was." The range of topics they discuss include American com...

In this excerpt from our podcast, AMSEcast, Jack Kelly, author of Gunpowder: Alchemy, Bombards, and Pyrotechnics: The History of the Explosive that Changed the World. Discusses one of the most innovative and compounds ever manufactured.

Dr. Todd Braje, the Executive Director of the University of Oregon Museum of Natural and Cultural History, discusses his book,  Understanding Imperiled Earth.  He shows how analyzing data from many disciplines, such as archaeology and history, can help address some of the environmental challenges we face today.

We have a great conversation with Lorraine Daston editor of Science in the Archives: Pasts, Presents, Futures.

Dr. E.C. "Ed" Krupp joins Alan on this episode of AMSEcast to discuss the Griffith Observatory and his role as its longtime director. Now in its 90th year, the observatory remains a hub for public astronomy, drawing over 1.6 million visitors annually. Ed shares its educational mission, including a fifth-grade program and immersive exhibits like "Water is Life." He also discusses archaeoastronomy,...

Highlights of conversations about innovation from AMSEcast. The Podcast of the American Museum of Science and Energy.

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...