The Disappearing Spoon: a science history podcast with Sam Kean
Sam KeanA topsy-turvy science-y history podcast by Sam Kean. I examine overlooked stories from our past: the dental superiority of hunter-gatherers, the crooked Nazis who saved thousands of American lives, the American immigrants who developed the most successful cancer screening tool in history, the sex lives of dinosaurs, and much, much more. These are charming little tales that never made the history b... more
| Publishes | Weekly | Episodes | 138 | Founded | 6 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Categories | HistoryArtsBooks | ||||
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Latest Episodes
An audio excerpt from my new book, The Museum of Long Things. Available now!
Our Sponsors:
* Check out ElevenReader and use my code "Spoon" for a great deal: elevenreader.io
* Check out my new book, The Museum of Lost Things!
www.ama... more
In the 1960s, NASA needed a better spacesuit. So they turned to the one firm on earth capable of meeting their strict standards—the Playtex underwear company. Episode below!
Our Sponsors:
* Check out ElevenReader and use my code "Spoon" for a great ... more
His book on evolution rocked 1800s England. Not Charles Darwin. Robert Chambers, whose infamous tome both horrified Darwin, yet paved the way for him.
Our Sponsors:
* Check out ElevenReader and use my code "Spoon" for a great deal: elevenrea... more
Nurse Laura Cobb saved more lives than Clara Barton or Florence Nightingale, and under far worse conditions—in a brutal World War II concentration camp. So why did the world forget her?
Our Sponsors:
* Check out ElevenReader and use my code "Spoon" ... more
Key Facts
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Reviews
- Great stories
This is my favourite podcast out there, such interesting stories you can’t believe you have never heard of, and a passionate presenter. Highly recommend.
Apple Podcasts5NYC Parisian
Australia22 days ago - Disgusting Ads
I love the content of this podcast but I can barely listen to it. ICE and CIA ads? How can someone so devoted to science and science history promote that garbage?
I will not be buying Keans books in the future due to this BS
Apple Podcasts2GA8989
United States2 months ago Entertaining and enlightening bite-sized episodes that I always look forward to enjoying.
Podcast Addict53 months agoLynda315- Just another sufferer of TDS
The host like most leftist allows Trump Derangement Syndrome to warp his brain
Apple Podcasts2This KenUnited States4 months ago Great
Podcast Addict58 months agoOleg
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Chart Rankings
How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.
Apple Podcasts | #144 | United States/History |
Apple Podcasts | #152 |  Canada/History |
Apple Podcasts | #244 |  United Kingdom/History |
Apple Podcasts | #111 | Australia/History |
Apple Podcasts | #63 |  Austria/History |
Apple Podcasts | #76 |  Indonesia/History |
Audience Metrics
Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.
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Frequently Asked Questions About This Podcast
What is This Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?
This show crafts engaging narratives from obscure corners of science history, turning footnotes and overlooked episodes into vivid stories. Across episodes, listeners encounter improbable collaborations (a lingerie-maker reshaping spacesuit design), contested scientific ideas, dramatic investigations, and the human side of big discoveries. The host blends rigorous research with storytelling flair, peppering episodes with archival detail, surprising twists, and broader cultural context. It's particularly notable for making science history feel adventurous and accessible, often drawing connections between engineering feats, political pressures, and the personalities behind landmark moments. Potential listeners who crave compact, historically ... more
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These podcasts share a similar audience with this podcast:
1. Cautionary Tales with Tim Harford
2. the memory palace
3. 99% Invisible
4. Sidedoor
5. The Atlas Obscura Podcast
How many episodes of this podcast are there?
this podcast launched 6 years ago and published 138 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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