AMSEcast

Produced from the American Museum of Science and Energy, AMSEcast invites guests from the world of science, literature, and technology to share unique perspectives from the realm of the highly trained and curiously minded.

ASME Science Report with Marc Wortman 08/09/2025

AMSE Science Report with Marc Wortman 08/09/2025

AMSE Science Report with Richard Ellis 08/08/2025

When the River Ran Backward with Jay Feldman 08/06/2025

When the River Ran Backward with Jay Feldman 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 seismic risk today. He also discusses reflections from his new memoir. Guest Bio Jay Feldman is an author, historian, and storyteller with a uniquely diverse background. Before turning to writing full-time, he worked as a musician and ran a music store specializing in vintage stringed instruments. He also founded Baseball for Peace, an organization promoting international understanding through sports, and has written for both television and the stage. Feldman is the author of Manufacturing Hysteria: A History of Scapegoating, Surveillance, and Secrecy in Modern America and When the Mississippi Ran Backwards: Empire, Intrigue, Murder, and the New Madrid Earthquakes, which explores one of the most powerful and overlooked natural disasters in U.S. history. Show Highlights (4:32) When the earthquakes occurred and how many there were (9:23) The creation of the Reelfoot Rift and how it became the source of the quakes (12:38) What makes intraplate earthquakes different from other kinds (13:57) Why the Mississippi River ran backwards at the height of the quake (16:11) The creation of Reelfoot Lake (17:54) The legend of Tecumseh’s prophecy about the earthquakes (21:55) How the Roosevelt family was involved with the event (27:55) The crime that was revealed in the wreckage of the earthquakes (32:44) Seismic activity in the area today Links Referenced Manufacturing Hysteria: A History of Scapegoating, Surveillance, and Secrecy in Modern America: When the Mississippi Ran Backwards: Empire, Intrigue, Murder, and the New Madrid Earthquakes: /episode/index/show/amsecast/id/37670680

AMSEcast with guest Norm Augustine 07/30/2025

AMSE Science Report with guest Jack Kelly 07/30/2025

STEM of History with Dr. Todd Braje 07/29/2025

STEM of History The Science of Archives 07/29/2025

Connecting Cultures and Cosmos with Ed Krupp 07/23/2025

Connecting Cultures and Cosmos with Ed Krupp 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 at Chimney Rock, Ed continues to connect humanity’s cosmic curiosity across centuries through science, culture, and wonder. Guest Bio Dr. E.C. “Ed” Krupp has served as director of the world-renowned Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles since 1974, guiding it through transformative changes and welcoming over 1.6 million visitors annually. Under his leadership, the observatory has become the most visited public observatory on the planet. Ed is also a leading authority in the field of archaeoastronomy—the study of how ancient cultures understood the sky—and has authored several acclaimed books, including Skywatchers, Shamans & Kings: Astronomy and the Archaeology of Power. Known for his engaging insights and deep knowledge, Ed continues to inspire public curiosity about the cosmos and our place within it. Show Highlights (1:43) When Griffith Observatory was established and its mission (4:38) Exhibits and programs offered at the observatory (8:51) How they work with students (11:37) When archeoastronomy began to develop (17:02) How astronomical knowledge shapes our place in society and culture today (19:45) Places Ed has visited that have had the most impact on his work and life (25:13) What still perplexes Ed Krupp after all his traveling and learning (26:56) What’s next for Ed and the observatory Links Referenced Skywatchers, Shamans & Kings: Astronomy and the Archaeology of Power: Website: /episode/index/show/amsecast/id/37506600

The keys to innovation 07/06/2025

AMSE Science Report: Walter Borneman recently spoke to us about his book, MacArthur at War: World War II in the Pacific 07/05/2025

AMSE Science Report Al Romig 07/05/2025

Kathleen Carlucci, the Director of the Thomas Edison Center talks history 07/05/2025

Gunpowder: From Alchemy to Empire with Jack Kelly 07/02/2025

Gunpowder: From Alchemy to Empire with Jack Kelly 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 upcoming book on Thomas Paine, highlighting Paine’s role as both Enlightenment thinker and Revolutionary soldier. Guest Bio Jack Kelly is an award-winning historian, journalist, and novelist, as well as a New York Foundation for the Arts Fellow. His work has appeared in publications like The Wall Street Journal and American Heritage, and he’s been featured on NPR, PBS, and the History Channel. Jack’s books explore pivotal moments in history with vivid storytelling and sharp insight. His titles include Heaven’s Ditch: God, Gold, and Murder on the Erie Canal and God Save Benedict Arnold: The True Story of America’s Most Hated Man. His upcoming book is Gunpowder: Alchemy, Bombards, and Pyrotechnics, an explosive history of invention and empire. Show Highlights (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 Links Referenced Heaven’s Ditch: God, Gold, and Murder on the Erie Canal: God Save Benedict Arnold: The True Story of America’s Most Hated Man: Gunpowder: Alchemy, Bombards, and Pyrotechnics: The History of the Explosive that Changed the World: /episode/index/show/amsecast/id/37245270

Future-Focused Research with Dr. David Sholl 06/18/2025

Tracks Across America with Simon Cordery 06/11/2025

Tracks Across America with Simon Cordery 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 Pullman Company’s early success and a symbol of overlooked entrepreneurial ambition. Guest Bio Dr. Simon Cordery is Chair of the History Department at Iowa State University and a leading scholar of American labor and transportation history. He previously served as department chair at Western Illinois University and Monmouth College. Dr. Cordery has authored several acclaimed books, including Mother Jones: Raising Cain and Consciousness and The Iron Road in the Prairie State: The Story of Illinois Railroading. His forthcoming work, Gilded Age Entrepreneur: The Curious Life of American Financier Albert Benton Pullman, explores the overlooked legacy of the elder Pullman brother and offers fresh insight into the entrepreneurial spirit of 19th-century America. Show Highlights (2:14) When railroads first arrived in America and how quickly they spread (6:18) Changes in the business world that supported and continued railroad expansion (7:16) The impact of government oversight as the industry develops (14:47) When deregulation of the railroad industry occurred and the effects it had (19:46) The effects railroads had on labor organization and the labor market in America (22:32) How railroad expansion affected how we keep time throughout the U.S. (24:28) The effect of digital technology on the American railroad industry (31:47) Is high-speed rail a profitable enterprise? (35:23) Simon Cordery’s upcoming book, Gilded Age Entrepreneur: The Curious Life of American Financier Albert Benton Pullman Links Referenced Mother Jones: Raising Cain and Consciousness: The Iron Road in the Prairie State: The Story of Illinois Railroading: Gilded Age Entrepreneur: The Curious Life of American Financier Albert Benton Pullman: /episode/index/show/amsecast/id/36948520

General MacArthur’s War Path with Walter Borneman 06/04/2025

General MacArthur’s War Path with Walter Borneman 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 during World War II. Guest Bio Walter Borneman is an award-winning historian and author with a passion for bringing pivotal moments in American history to life. He earned his history degree from Western State College of Colorado and a law degree from the University of Denver. Borneman is the author of several acclaimed books, including The Admirals: Nimitz, Halsey, Leahy, and King and Polk: The Man Who Transformed the Presidency and America. Show Highlights (1:22) Why MacArthur assumed the role of Field Marshal in the army of the Philippines (7:36) The evolution of MacArthur’s role in Australia and the Pacific Command (12:24) MacArthur’s role in formulating and then implementing the island-hopping plan (15:07) Why Walter thinks the Battle of Leyte Gulf may have been the greatest victory ever won by the United States Navy (17:39) MacArthur’s role in planning the invasion of the Japanese home islands (20:05) When he learned about the atomic bomb and his views on its use in the war (22:13) Why he was appointed the supreme commander of the Allied powers in Japan (25:22) How Walter Boneman would define MacArthur’s legacy in World War II (27:20) What Walter is working on next Links Referenced The Admirals: Nimitz, Halsey, Leahy, and King: Polk: The Man Who Transformed the Presidency and America: MacArthur at War: World War II in the Pacific: American POTUS: /episode/index/show/amsecast/id/36760005

AMSEcast with guest Tom Zoellner 05/31/2025

Inside the National Air and Space Museum with Margaret Weitekamp 05/28/2025

Inside the National Air and Space Museum with Margaret Weitekamp 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 contributions, and how triumph and tragedy alike shape our understanding of humanity’s journey beyond Earth. Guest Bio Dr. Margaret Weitekamp is the curator and department chair of the space history department at the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum. She holds a BA from the University of Pittsburgh and earned her MA and PhD in history from Cornell University. A former Mellon Fellow in the humanities, she also served as the American Historical Association’s NASA Aerospace History Fellow at NASA Headquarters. Since joining the museum in 2004, she has led major curatorial efforts and became department chair in 2019. Dr. Weitekamp is a widely published author, including Space Craze and Spaceships: An Illustrated History of the Real and the Imagined. Show Highlights (2:09) The goals of the renovation and when it’s going to be completed (6:28) The Udvar-Hazy Center (8:09) What Margaret Weitekamp does at the National Air and Space Museum (10:49) Key moments of American flight innovation documented at the museum (18:50) Artifacts on display that tell the story of American innovation in getting to the moon (22:12) The space shuttle’s impact on our understanding of Earth and space (25:58) How the museum communicates with NASA about adding to their collection (29:32) The role of international competition versus collaboration in forwarding innovation (32:48) The private sector’s role in space innovation and how the museum interacts with it (34:57) How satellites are used and what American innovations have contributed to them (38:35) The way the Air and Space Museum teaches about unmanned missions like Voyager (41:13) What we’ve learned from past mistakes, such as the Challenger explosion (44:59) What’s made the biggest impression on Margaret since she’s been at the museum (47:11) What we should keep in mind when looking at the next 250 years of space innovation (49:51) How to follow what’s going on at the National Air and Space Museum Links Referenced Spaceships: An Illustrated History of the Real and the Imagined: Space Craze, America’s Enduring Fascination With Real and Imagined Space Flight: National Air and Space Museum: /episode/index/show/amsecast/id/36695645

Inside the Invention Factory with Kathleen Carlucci 05/21/2025

Inside the Invention Factory with Kathleen Carlucci 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, reminding us that with perseverance, innovation is within anyone’s reach. Guest Bio Kathleen Carlucci is the Director of the Thomas Edison Center at Menlo Park, where she leads efforts to preserve and share the legacy of one of America’s greatest inventors. With degrees in history and secondary education, she combines her passion for storytelling with a strong background in management and customer service. Kathleen has played a key role in enhancing the museum experience through engaging tours, educational programs, and community outreach. Her work ensures that visitors of all ages connect with Thomas Edison’s innovations and are inspired by his enduring message of curiosity, perseverance, and the power of hands-on learning. Show Highlights (1:14) Edison’s process for thinking up ideas and bringing them to fruition (2:40) How Edison overcame hearing loss to accomplish so much (3:42) Edison’s improvements to the telegraph and telephone (6:36) How Edison organized and staffed his Menlo Park lab (9:51) Why he moved to West Orange, NJ, and what became of Menlo Park (12:28) Edison’s work with light bulbs, motion picture technology, and batteries (19:03) What Edison would do when he hit a wall on a project (20:39) Lessons from Menlo Park that future innovators should learn (22:43) What a tour of the Thomas Edison Center at Menlo Park includes Links Referenced Thomas Edison Center at Menlo Park: /episode/index/show/amsecast/id/36644380

A Library of Treasures in American History with Josh Levy 05/14/2025

A Library of Treasures in American History with Josh Levy 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 reflects how major technological advances often depend on unsung, collaborative contributions across generations. Guest Bio Dr. Josh Levy is the historian of science and technology in the Manuscript Division at the Library of Congress, where he helps uncover and share the stories behind key figures in American innovation. He holds a Ph.D. in History from the University of Illinois and brings years of teaching experience at both high school and college levels, including the University of South Florida, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and the College of Micronesia. Since joining the Library of Congress in 2020, Dr. Levy has curated collections that illuminate the complex, collaborative nature of scientific and technological breakthroughs. Show Highlights (1:50) What led Samuel Morse to invent the telegraph (4:03) Morse’s letter regarding the telegraph (7:36) Booker T. Washington and George Washington Carver (8:47) Carver’s letter to John Washington, Booker T. Washington’s brother (12:02) Alfred Graham Bell’s interest in aviation (15:02) Thomas Selfridge (17:28) Claude Shannon, the Father of the Information Age (18:46) Shannon’s schematic of Theseus, the maze-solving robotic mouse (20:11) Gladys West’s impact on GPS technology Links Referenced Library of Congress website: For specific questions about manuscripts at the Library of Congress: /episode/index/show/amsecast/id/36458940

Sailing the High Seas of History with Peter Armstrong 05/07/2025

The Legacy of George Washington Carver with Curtis Gregory 04/30/2025

The Legacy of George Washington Carver with Curtis Gregory 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. Visitors can explore his story at the Carver Monument in Diamond, Missouri. Guest Bio Curtis Gregory is a longtime park ranger at the George Washington Carver National Monument in Diamond, Missouri, where he has shared Carver’s legacy with visitors for nearly 20 years. With deep knowledge and passion, Curtis brings to life the story of George Washington Carver—scientist, educator, and agricultural innovator—highlighting his contributions to sustainability, food security, and education. As a dedicated steward of this historic site, Curtis helps connect the past to the present, inspiring new generations through Carver’s enduring impact. We’re thrilled to have Curtis join us on AMSEcast to celebrate the remarkable life and innovations of one of America’s greatest minds. Show Highlights (2:00) How George Washington Carve went from being born a slave to a professor by 30 (6:53) The state of agriculture in the South when Carver arrived at Tuskegee (8:25) What led him to the peanut in the first place (10:45) George Washington Carver’s innovations with the sweet potato (15:51) His impact on agriculture in the South and nationwide (17:12) What to expect at the George Washington Carver National Monument Links Referenced Facebook: X: Website: /episode/index/show/amsecast/id/36362005

Engineering a Nation with Guru Madhavan 04/23/2025

Engineering a Nation with Guru Madhavan 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 innovation must balance bold ideas with long-term systems like sanitation and maintenance. Calling for a “deep time” perspective, Guru urges us to value resilience, inclusivity, and the often-unseen foundations that truly sustain progress. Guest Bio Dr. Guru Madhavan is the Norman Augustine Senior Scholar and Senior Director of Programs at the National Academy of Engineering. With a background in biomedical engineering (MS, PhD) and an MBA from the State University of New York, he previously led innovations in the medical device industry before turning his focus to national science and engineering policy. He is the acclaimed author of Applied Minds: How Engineers Think and Wicked Problems: How to Engineer a Better World. A valued member of AMSE’s National Advisory Committee, Guru was honored with the 2024 AMSE Foundation National Excellence Award for his outstanding contributions. Show Highlights (1:54) An introduction to the National Academy of Sciences (7:59) Lincoln’s impact on the sciences in the United States (11:06) How Vannevar Bush’s principles from Science: The Endless Frontier are implemented (19:30) The impact the arts are having on STEM (20:13) How the National Academies have supported and encouraged innovation (24:10) Guru’s list of most important American innovations (30:23) The frameworks and institutions that have supported America’s innovations (37:51) The United States and the ideology of innovation (43:27) Using deep time to gain perspective on innovation Links Referenced Applied Minds: How Engineers Think: Wicked Problems: How to Engineer a Better World: /episode/index/show/amsecast/id/36181570

The History of Spies with Andrew Hammond 04/16/2025

The History of Spies with Andrew Hammond 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 pads and suitcase radios. The conversation traces the U.S.’s rise as a global intelligence leader, fueled by Cold War innovation and British collaboration. Stories like the CIA’s Glomar Explorer mission illustrate the secrecy and complexity of spycraft. Hammond also hosts SpyCast, sharing these stories with a global audience. Guest Bio Dr. Andrew Hammond is the historian and curator at the International Spy Museum in Washington, DC. He has held teaching positions and fellowships at esteemed institutions, including the British Library, the Library of Congress, and the 9/11 Memorial Museum. A veteran of the Royal Air Force with assignments to the British Army and Royal Navy, he brings deep expertise in intelligence and national security. Dr. Hammond is also a fellow at the Global National Security Institute and the author of the upcoming book Struggles for Freedom: Afghanistan and US Foreign Policy Since 1979. Show Highlights (1:52) About the International Spy Museum (5:01) How the U.S. has found information about adversaries in the past (10:54) Tools that can be found in the museum (14:03) The difference between a spy and an agent (17:04) Popular examples of field weapons and how the museum documents them (19:17) Sabotage tools developed in the U.S. and used by American spies (25:53) How the Enigma machine helped crack German and Japanese codes in WWII (29:05) How men and women are represented at the museum (36:22) Spycraft innovations that have made it into public life (43:31) SpyCast, the museum's official podcast Links Referenced Struggles for Freedom: Afghanistan and US Foreign Policy Since 1979: SpyCast: /episode/index/show/amsecast/id/36181425

Inside the U.S. Mint with Don Bennett 04/09/2025

The Presidents and Science 04/07/2025

AMSE Science Report with Mark Miodownik 04/06/2025

Marie Curie’s Legacy with Dava Sobel 04/02/2025

Innovation & Policy with Sudip Parikh 03/26/2025

Innovation & Policy with Sudip Parikh 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 immigration on innovation, and the need for clear communication in securing research funding. Dr. Parikh also discusses the evolution of U.S. science policy, the role of private investment, and the importance of modernizing dissemination methods. He stresses inspiring future scientists and reducing financial barriers in STEM to sustain American leadership in research and discovery. Guest Bio Dr. Sudip Parikh is the 19th CEO of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) and executive publisher of the Science family of journals, a role he assumed in January 2020. With a background in journalism and materials science from the University of North Carolina and a PhD in macromolecular structure and chemistry from the Scripps Research Institute, Dr. Parikh has built a distinguished career at the intersection of science and policy. He has served as a science advisor to the Senate Appropriations Committee, vice president at Battelle, and senior VP at DIA Global, shaping science policy and innovation. Show Highlights (2:01) What Dr. Parikh thinks are the primary instigators of innovation and the primary obstacles (6:20) The role of immigration in bringing new ideas to the United States (8:20) Sudip’s experience gathering support for scientific innovation when working in Washington, D.C. (12:55) Specific policies from Washington that helped spur innovation (16:06) How to strike a balance between disruptive innovations while maintaining our infrastructure and systems (17:43) Dr. Parikh’s role as the publisher of the Science family of journals in bringing new ideas to the table versus making small changes (20:18) What processes will have to change for Science and other journals moving forward (22:15) The best ways to inspire that next generation of scientists, engineers, and innovators /episode/index/show/amsecast/id/35858770

AMSEcast

TOPICS