Chemistry has been part of the American experience ever since the settlers at Jamestown built a lab for blowing glass and assaying metal (you can learn more on our Jamestown episode). Today we celebrate the 4th of July with a tribute to American scientific and technological achievements—and we’ve thrown in some fireworks, just for fun.

SHOW CLOCK

00:00 Opening Credits

00:31 Introduction

00:57 Element of the Week: Americium

03:03 A Conversation with Dale Keairns

07:22 Mystery Solved! Fireworks

09:54 Quote: Vannevar Bush

10:25 Closing Credits

CREDITS

Special thanks to Chi Chan for researching this show. Additional credits available at chemheritage.org/distillations.