Equinox

The development of nuclear weapons is one of the most amazing, and fearsome, scientific breakthroughs in human history. But before they could be made, a lot of discoveries had to happen first. The timing is also amazing. Almost as soon as these things were discovered we started blowing things up.

The recent ammonium nitrate explosion that leveled most of Beirut has sparked many discussions about explosives. So Joe and Rob explore the history of explosives, from the invention of gunpowder in 9th century China to the massive explosion that killed JFK’s older brother in WWII. They’ll stop along the way and talk about the 100 Years War and the invention of nitroglycerine and TNT along the way.

Creating a map of the world is hard, very hard. It took the best minds in the world centuries to get it right. From the disfigured maps of the Greeks to the elegant portolan charts of the Renaissance, people have been mapping the world for a long time. The main problem was with longitude, a puzzle that was not figured out until Harrison invented a chronometer that could keep track of time while moving (like in a ship). It was easy enough to figure out how far north or south you were, but east and west was an entirely different thing. Yet, the portolan charts were longitudinally accurate, and nobody knows how. Map making in an artform, and some of the secrets have been lost to us.

Photosynthesis is one of the most important processes on the planet, yet its complexity beguiles many students. This elegant and unlikely series of chemical reactions allows life on earth to exist.

Rob and Joseph continue to explore the particle and atom sciences. What are the elements? What discoveries to they afford? Why are scientists often disappointed with the discoveries? The people that can use these sciences to their advantage will rule the world.

It took scientists a long time to figure out what was inside the atom.

Energy is a fundamental part of the universe, but how much do we actually understand it? Joe and Rob ask and answer lots of questions on this fascinating topic, ranging from nuclear power plants to photosynthesis.

Rob and Joseph revisit honey bees and how to care for them, while not getting stung! There is so much more to learn about the fascinating little insects.

Rob and Joseph finally dive deep into beehives! What makes bees tick? Where did beekeeping come from? Why would two guys take this hobby on? And what’s the science bee-hind the colony?

Rob and Joseph discuss more of the oddly fascinating details that impact mankind, how our family ancestry works, and some surprising ways that it does not.