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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 weeklyEpisodes813Founded16 years ago
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DesignArts

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Artwork for 99% Invisible

Latest Episodes

A Louisiana man born into slavery designs an airship with hopes to take flight. Those plans are interrupted, but maybe not forever.

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In 1902, an American classic was born: the teddy bear. Named after President Theodore Roosevelt, the toy became a huge hit, and sparked an idea…maybe every president from then on should have their own viral stuffed animal. Jon Mooallem tells the stor... more

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We keep score of everything these days. But what happens when the numbers start changing what we actually care about?

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Before the Declaration of Independence was even a twinkle in the founding fathers' eyes, there was James Otis. Journalist Jack Hitt returns to tell the wild, tragic story of America’s forgotten proto-founding father and his inflammatory 1764 pamphlet... more

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Recent Guests

Paul Jackson
Missouri state quarter designer, watercolor painter from Columbia, Missouri
Independent designer
Episode: The Most Exciting Change America Has Ever Seen
Imani Perry
Author and Harvard professor, guest on the episode
Harvard University
Episode: 100 Objects #5: Blue Back Speller
Dwayne Jethro
South African culture scholar and writer on vuvuzela history
Scholar/Researcher
Episode: The Horn That Divided the World Cup
Saddam Maki
Fan and vuvuzela advocate who popularized the instrument
South African football culture
Episode: The Horn That Divided the World Cup
Freddie Saddam Marquet
Fan and cultural figure associated with the vuvuzela culture
Kaiser Chiefs fan community, South Africa
Episode: The Horn That Divided the World Cup
Jack Hitt
Author and journalist featured in the episode
Author; Harper's, New York Times Magazine, This American Life
Episode: 100 Objects #4: Lowe's Gas Bag
Nikki Smedley
Producer who worked on several karaoke videos for Pioneer in London
Pioneer Laserdisc Corporation of America
Episode: Karaoke Videos
Nori Niven
Commercial director focused on pioneering karaoke video projects
Pioneer Laserdisc Corporation of America (LDCA)
Episode: Karaoke Videos
Brian Raftery
Culture writer and author of Don't Stop Believing, How Karaoke Conquered the World
Culture/Writing
Episode: Karaoke Videos

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
    17 days 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
    Canada18 days 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
    21 days 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 Statesa month 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 Statesa month 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

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

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.
100 Objects #1: The Century Safe
Q: And so we're kind of picking things out, you know, to represent the United States. Should we even be trying to do this?
Jill Lepore suggests it is important to recognize that the past is largely a chronicle of misery and that any history based on surviving objects must contend with unequal records, but that exploring discarded objects can still reveal meaningful stories about the country.
Ask Your Doctor About
Q: How do naming teams start the process of naming a drug?
They collect broad linguistic material, then generate hundreds of initial options, focusing on pronounceability, marketability, and regulatory safety, before narrowing to viable candidates.
RoboUmp Hits the Big Leagues
Q: What has been the reaction from players and fans to the robot umpire system so far?
Most players and fans have embraced the added recourse and drama of challenges, while some worry about the pace of the game and the loss of human nuance; early experiences show it can heighten tension and engagement in a positive way.

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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How many listeners does 99% Invisible get?

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Which podcasts are similar to 99% Invisible?

These podcasts share a similar audience with 99% Invisible:

1. Radiolab
2. What Trump Can Teach Us About Con Law
3. Articles of Interest
4. This American Life
5. Cautionary Tales with Tim Harford

How many episodes of 99% Invisible are there?

99% Invisible launched 16 years ago and published 813 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact 99% Invisible?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

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What guests have appeared on 99% Invisible?

Recent guests on 99% Invisible include:

1. Paul Jackson
2. Imani Perry
3. Dwayne Jethro
4. Saddam Maki
5. Freddie Saddam Marquet
6. Jack Hitt
7. Nikki Smedley
8. Nori Niven

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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