Gunpowder: From Alchemy to Empire with Jack Kelly
AMSEcast
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 once too expensive for civilian use, gunpowder later drove mining and infrastructure projects before being replaced by safer, more powerful explosives like dynamite. Kelly also previews his...
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Future-Focused Research with Dr. David Sholl
AMSEcast
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Tracks Across America with Simon Cordery
AMSEcast
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 touches on Amtrak’s dependence on subsidies, the challenges of expansion, and the promise of high-speed rail. Cordery also previews his book on Albert Pullman, a largely forgotten innovator behind the...
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General MacArthur’s War Path with Walter Borneman
AMSEcast
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 explore MacArthur’s late awareness of the atomic bomb, his post-war leadership as Supreme Commander in Japan, and his legacy as a pioneering military strategist and symbol of American resolve...
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AMSEcast with guest Tom Zoellner
AMSEcast
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 to creating the chain reactions that are central to both nuclear energy production and the workings of nuclear weapons.
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Inside the National Air and Space Museum with Margaret Weitekamp
AMSEcast
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 both a public institution and research center, preserving innovations from early flight to modern space exploration. She also reflects on international collaboration, private sector...
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Inside the Invention Factory with Kathleen Carlucci
AMSEcast
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 spirit, and ability to turn failure into progress. Visitors to the Center can explore original artifacts, interactive exhibits, and hands-on demonstrations that bring Edison’s legacy to life,...
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A Library of Treasures in American History with Josh Levy
AMSEcast
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. Thomas Selfridge and Claude Shannon’s groundbreaking work in information theory. Josh and Alan finish with Gladys West, whose geoid calculations became foundational for GPS. Her later recognition...
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Sailing the High Seas of History with Peter Armstrong
AMSEcast
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-electric steamboat. From Fresnel lenses to nuclear submarines, Peter highlights how the museum preserves maritime heritage while embracing modern innovation. Guest Bio Peter Armstrong has...
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The Legacy of George Washington Carver with Curtis Gregory
AMSEcast
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 hundreds of uses for them! Beyond his lab, he educated rural farmers through lectures, pamphlets, and the innovative Jesup Wagon. His legacy endures in food security and agricultural education....
info_outline- (1:24) When the Chinese invented gunpowder and when it arrived in Europe
- (2:35) The ingredients of gunpowder
- (3:54) Why saltpeter is such a challenging ingredient to produce
- (5:43) Challenges faced by European engineers in the production of gunpowder
- (8:34) What the development of chemistry revealed about how gunpowder works
- (10:46) How gunpowder influenced sciences like physics in Europe
- (12:51) When guns and cannons were introduced
- (14:12) Gunpowder’s impact on European architecture, such as castles
- (16:39) The commercial uses of gunpowder
- (20:12) Replacements for gunpowder in weapons and other explosives today
- (22:51) Modern uses for black powder
- (24:26) What Jack Kelly is currently working on
- Heaven’s Ditch: God, Gold, and Murder on the Erie Canal:
- https://www.amazon.com/Heavens-Ditch-Jack-Kelly-audiobook/dp/B01HU77DIC/
- God Save Benedict Arnold: The True Story of America’s Most Hated Man: https://www.amazon.com/God-Save-Benedict-Arnold-Americas-ebook/dp/B0BQGFMLFK/
- Gunpowder: Alchemy, Bombards, and Pyrotechnics: The History of the Explosive that Changed the World: https://www.amazon.com/Gunpowder-Alchemy-Bombards-Pyrotechnics-Explosive-ebook/dp/B009IU57IS/