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Artwork for 99% Invisible

99% Invisible

Roman Mars
Robert Moses
New York City
Climate Change
The Power Broker
Urban Planning
Robert Caro
Constitution
Los Angeles
California
Covid-19
Infrastructure
Urban Design
Congress
Video Games
Chicago
Tennessee Valley Authority
Supreme Court
Homelessness
Environmental Law
Design

Design is everywhere in our lives, perhaps most importantly in the places where we've just stopped noticing. 99% Invisible is a weekly exploration of the process and power of design and architecture. From award winning producer Roman Mars. Learn more at 99percentinvisible.org.

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes819Founded16 years ago
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DesignArts

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Artwork for 99% Invisible

Latest Episodes

In 1925, the world saw the birth of what just might be the greatest gadget in American History: the Brannock Device. The metal contraption transformed the way we measure feet forever, and more than a century after its invention…it has barely changed.... more

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A simple cardboard box helped transform Finland into one of the best places in the world to raise a child.

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In the early 1970s, Bruce Lee made nunchaku (nunchucks) cool — kids were building their own and buying them in record numbers. But the nunchucks craze coincided with something much bigger: the birth of a radical new Asian American identity. Roman Mar... more

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Neil MacGregor reflects on creating the landmark series that changed how people think about history. Then, revisit the Rosetta Stone, the artifact that unlocked ancient Egypt.

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Recent Guests

Jeff Chang
Historian and culture critic
Author of Water Mirror Echo and other works
Episode: 100 Objects #10: Nunchaku
Neil MacGregor
Original host of A History of the World in a Hundred Objects
British Museum
Episode: The Original 100 Objects
Bonnie Bullock
Milk carton survivor; subject of a local campaign
Episode: 100 Objects #9: Missing Children Milk Carton
Joseph P. Page
Descendant sharing family history about Charles Frederick Page
Family of Charles Frederick Page
Episode: If Mosquito Hawks Can Fly
Michael Nguyen
Historian specializing in Central Louisiana history
Local history researcher
Episode: If Mosquito Hawks Can Fly
John Muella
Journalist, author of Wild Ones and historian of animals in America
Freelance journalist / Author
Episode: 100 Objects #8: Billy Possum
CT Winn
Author of The Score: How to Stop Playing Someone Else's Game
Author, The Score
Episode: The Score
Jane Ruffino
Researcher studying global subsea cables
Researcher (as introduced on episode)
Episode: Transatlantic Fiber-Optic Expialidocious
Heather Ann Thompson
Historian and author of Fear and Fury
University/author (as introduced in episode)
Episode: 100 Objects #6: "Sharpened Screwdriver"

Hosts

Roman Mars
Host of 99% Invisible; design and architecture journalist and commentator
Delaney Hall
Host of Service Request; on-site reporting and hosting for the show

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 45.8k ratings
  • The history is interesting, but you don't have to manifest your TDS by smirking when you talk about how the Trump administration finally got the penny cancelled.

    Podcast Addict
    2
    markyparky
    a month ago
  • Sharpen screwdrivers 100 object spinoff podcast

    I am appalled!!! this is reprehensible. It’s disgusting and I expect far more proper journalism from someone as honoured and respected as Roman Mars and the 99% invisible podcast. The woke whitewashing of a period of New York City history in this left-leaning ignorantly bias, disgusting report and slanderous ignorance to the facts of not only the time in the economy, but why things transpired. How dare you waste our time editing history through the lens of today, pretending that sure justi... more

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    1Chauncey1
    Canadaa month ago
  • EDIT: The politics have gotten much better! I am actually liking this and 100 Objects!

    You are supposed to be mainly about architecture and construction, but now, the political opinions are out of control. I am very disappointed.

    Podcast Addict
    4
    MilesWK
    a month ago
  • Absolutely superb story telling

    I’ve long enjoyed the 99% Invisible podcast, but they’ve cranked it up to 11 with their “100 Objects” series. Each time I read the title, I don’t think it will be very interesting, but then they blow me away every episode. I love how they connect each object with stories about interesting people. I’ve been recommending it to everyone I know!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    allison_bblue
    United States2 months ago
  • 100 Objects may have just gotten off the ground…

    But it’s had an excellent start!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    ティコト
    United States2 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Many appreciate the sound design and topic variety, from design to policy to history.
Some listeners push back on political commentary and advertising choices.
Listeners praise the mix of rigorous research and engaging storytelling.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The Original 100 Objects
Q: Why interview the makers of objects, like David Hockney, instead of only discussing the artifacts themselves?
Interviewing makers adds a dimension of agency and intention, showing how objects embody freedom, creativity, and social change, and it marks a turning point in the storytelling approach.
The Original 100 Objects
Q: What was it like to shift from a traditional narrative of world history to a hundred-object approach that includes everyday items?
The approach allows us to tell a more inclusive, interconnected story of humanity, highlighting the biographies of objects and the voices of those who weren't always heard.
The Score
Q: How do we use scores and scoring systems in an effective way to make the world a better place, and have them not dominate our lives in a bad way?
Use scores to coordinate at scale where appropriate (like lifespan metrics), but guard against over-relying on single metrics; cultivate ironic distance; allow for context and nuance; and create spaces where people design their own metrics to reflect values beyond simple counts.
The MAPL Test
Q: Okay, and do you have an answer for this, Max? What is your big solution to all of this?
Max suggests increased public funding, tax credits, and bursaries as practical ways to sustain and grow the arts ecosystem in Canada, balancing support with market-driven success to ensure broader inclusion beyond CanCon mandates.
100 Objects #1: The Century Safe
Q: Do you have some advice for telling the history of the United States through objects, given the imperfect archive we have?
Lepore emphasizes the need to look beyond official records, engage with various voices, and balance sensational artifacts with quieter, personal objects to repair gaps in the historical record.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About 99% Invisible

What is 99% Invisible about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A design-forward show that treats architecture, infrastructure, and everyday objects as storyable systems. Episodes cover naming drugs, digital rights and repair, constitutional history, urban design, and public services, often featuring historians, policy experts, and industry practitioners. Highlights include in-depth conversations with Jill Lepore and Dr. Alondra Nelson, along with hands-on investigations into municipal workflows, traffic systems, and private towing practices—showcasing how design, policy, and technology shape daily life. The format blends rigorous research with engaging storytelling and strong sound design, making complex topics accessible and surprisingly broad in appeal.

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1. Articles of Interest
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3. What Trump Can Teach Us About Con Law
4. Cautionary Tales with Tim Harford
5. Twenty Thousand Hertz

How many episodes of 99% Invisible are there?

99% Invisible launched 16 years ago and published 819 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on 99% Invisible?

Recent guests on 99% Invisible include:

1. Jeff Chang
2. Neil MacGregor
3. Bonnie Bullock
4. Joseph P. Page
5. Michael Nguyen
6. John Muella
7. CT Winn
8. Jane Ruffino

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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