From the steam engine to the silicon chip, the lightbulb to the Large Hadron Collider, the history of invention is in many ways the history of the modern world. These are the innovations that have transformed every aspect of human life and society over the centuries, propelling changes in everything from transportation and communication to medicine, agriculture, warfare, and beyond.
But while many of us may know the broad outlines of how these world-changing technologies came to be, the true stories behind even the most famous inventions are often far more complex, surprising, and flat-out fascinating than the popular myths and misconceptions would have us believe. That‘s where "Patented: The History of Inventions," a groundbreaking new podcast from science communicator extraordinaire Dallas Campbell, comes in.
Premiering March 16, 2022 as part of Dan Snow‘s History Hit network, "Patented" promises to be a revelatory journey through the messy, colorful, and endlessly captivating real history of innovation. Across twice-weekly episodes, Campbell will put his endless enthusiasm and keen storytelling skills to work exposing the little-known origins of humankind‘s most important inventions—and the compelling characters behind them.
Few science communicators working today can match Campbell‘s unique skill set. Over a wide-ranging career in science television hosting programs like "Bang Goes the Theory," "The Gadget Show," "Stargazing Live," and specials for National Geographic, Campbell has shown a rare gift for translating complex ideas into accessible, entertaining stories that resonate emotionally with mass audiences. At the same time, his intellectual rigor, insatiable curiosity, and passion for getting to the truth make him an ideal guide for exploring the nuances of science history.
On "Patented," Campbell will bring that singular mix of talents to bear on separating fact from fiction in the history of human ingenuity. Did Thomas Edison really "invent" the lightbulb, or does he owe more of that achievement to a lesser-known predecessor named Joseph Swan? Why was the 18th century French military so eager to invent canned food? What role did Hollywood starlet Hedy Lamarr play in inventing modern wireless communications? Burning questions like these, and many more, are the fuel that will drive each episode.
As Campbell unravels these tales, a clear through line emerges: the classic pop culture image of the "lone genius inventor" is usually a misleading myth. The truth is that even the most brilliant innovators are almost always building on the accomplishments of those who came before them, and they rarely work in isolation. Many of the most important inventions are the result of years or decades of work by many different contributors, often including people whose names have been unfairly excluded from the history books.
For example, while Alexander Graham Bell is commonly credited as the sole "inventor" of the telephone, "Patented" will reveal how he was actually embroiled in a bitter dispute with another inventor, Elisha Gray, who was working on a nearly identical concept at the same time. The two men filed patents on the same day in 1876, but Bell narrowly won out, spawning a legal battle and a controversy over who really deserved the credit that rages to this day.
Again and again, Campbell will contextualize major inventions within the social, political, and economic forces that shaped their development. The stories of these inventions can‘t be told in isolation—they are inextricably linked with broader historical trends and events. The development of the modern assault rifle by a Soviet lieutenant named Mikhail Kalashnikov, for instance, will be placed in the context of the Cold War arms race between the U.S. and the Soviet Union.
Some episodes will reveal the unintended consequences that so often follow in the wake of major inventions. The invention of plastic in the early 20th century, for example, was initially hailed as a miraculous innovation that would benefit the environment by reducing reliance on animal products like ivory and tortoiseshell. Of course, the unintended long-term environmental impacts of plastic waste have proven to be catastrophic—a powerful reminder of how difficult it can be to predict how an invention will ultimately shape the world.
No matter how complex the real history of a particular invention may be, Campbell has shown time and again that he has the storytelling skills to make it compelling to a general audience. Just as importantly, he knows how to zero in on the human drama at the heart of the story, painting vivid portraits of both the famous household names and the unsung heroes of science history. And through probing conversations with leading experts—like famed geneticist Dr. Adam Rutherford on the history of eugenics and gene editing in the premiere episode—Campbell‘s intellectual rigor and palpable passion for science shines through.
But perhaps the most exciting thing about "Patented" is its potential to finally share the stories of inventors who have been unfairly excluded from the standard narratives for far too long, especially women and people of color. Episodes will highlight the overlooked and often purposely obscured contributions of pioneers like Lewis Latimer, the Black inventor who made pivotal refinements to Thomas Edison‘s light bulb, and Alice Parker, a Black woman who invented the modern gas furnace in 1919.
All told, Dallas Campbell‘s "Patented: The History of Inventions" promises to be an illuminating, surprising, and long overdue exploration of the real stories behind the innovations that made the world as we know it. By exposing the myths, celebrating the unsung heroes, and contextualizing the historical forces that have shaped the inventions we often take for granted, Campbell and his expert guests will reveal the timeless truth that nothing in the history of human ingenuity is ever quite as simple as it seems.
Tune in to "Patented" every Wednesday and Friday starting March 16, 2022 to embark on this entertaining and eye-opening journey through the history of science and invention. No matter how much you think you know about how the modern world came to be, Dallas Campbell is ready to turn that story on its head—and inspire a whole new appreciation for the messy, colorful, endlessly human story behind it all.
