The History of the American Railroad with Albert Churella
AMSEcast
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 control, and GPS-based Positive Train Control modernized operations. While U.S. passenger service lags Europe, its freight rail system leads the world in ton-miles, fuel efficiency, and low...
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ASME Science Report with Marc Wortman
AMSEcast
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AMSE Science Report with Marc Wortman
AMSEcast
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AMSE Science Report with Richard Ellis
AMSEcast
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.
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When the River Ran Backward with Jay Feldman
AMSEcast
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 quake prophecy, and how early steamboat travel intersected with disaster. Feldman also recounts a horrific crime against an enslaved teenager, exposed by the quakes, and touches on ongoing...
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AMSEcast with guest Norm Augustine
AMSEcast
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 competitiveness, the challenge of putting people on the moon, international travel, the importance of individual talent and the drive to achieve. Undertaking work in the sciences in the context of...
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AMSE Science Report with guest Jack Kelly
AMSEcast
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.
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STEM of History with Dr. Todd Braje
AMSEcast
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.
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STEM of History The Science of Archives
AMSEcast
We have a great conversation with Lorraine Daston editor of Science in the Archives: Pasts, Presents, Futures.
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Connecting Cultures and Cosmos with Ed Krupp
AMSEcast
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, the cross-disciplinary study of ancient skywatching, and how visiting historical sites deepens our understanding of past cultures. From the Hopi village of Walpi to upcoming lunar livestreams...
info_outlineDr. Lydia Kang is a physician with degrees from Columbia University and the New York University School of Medicine, but making me feel extraordinarily lazy. On top of all that, she is a prolific author of young adult fiction, poetry and nonfiction, and with the latter with nonfiction. She has written several books, including Pseudoscience A Strange History of How Not to Think Quackery, A Brief History of the Worst Cures for Everything, and the book we're going to discuss today that she co-wrote with Nate Peterson, titled Patient Zero A Curious History of the World's Worst Diseases.