Ever wonder how we all agreed on what time it is? It wasn’t always this simple. In the 1800s, America was a chaotic patchwork of local clocks—until the railroad, telegraph, and even banks demanded a solution. From train collisions to the Greenwich Observatory’s global influence, we’ll explore how time became a shared system and why it still matters today. This isn’t just history—it’s a reminder of how collaboration can solve the big challenges we face.

For centuries, surgery meant unimaginable pain—until three men, Wells, Morton, and Jackson, changed everything. Their race to bring anesthesia to the world was filled with ambition, rivalry, and sacrifice, leaving a legacy of pain-free surgery but personal ruin.

In my latest podcast episode of The Curio Report, I uncover their dramatic story and the feuds that shaped medical history.

Why do we bury time capsules, and what do they truly say about us? In this episode of The Curio Report, we dive into the fascinating tradition of time capsules—from the unexpected empty box at West Point to ancient cornerstone deposits and futuristic archives hurtling through space. Are these containers bridges across generations, preserving shared struggles and triumphs, or simply trinket-filled snapshots of fleeting moments? Join T.W. Palmer as we unearth the history, purpose, and meaning behind this symbolic ritual, exploring what we choose to remember—and why.

In this episode of The Curio Report, T.W. Palmer delves into the remarkable journey of lasers—a groundbreaking technology that has transformed communication, medicine, and exploration. But alongside their positive applications lies a darker narrative: the potential of lasers as weapons. From dazzling advancements in optics to chilling discussions on their misuse in warfare, discover how the international community grappled with the moral dilemmas of this technology. Join us as we explore the story behind the laser’s evolution, the science of light, and the proactive measures taken to prevent its devastating potential from shaping the future of conflict.

In this episode of The Curio Report, “Survival’s Counterpoint: The Anti-Survivors’ Legacy,” we delve into the other side of endurance. While history celebrates the grit of Shackleton, Roosevelt, and Fawcett, what about those who faltered under the same pressures? Meet Thomas Orde-Lees, Julio César Aráujo, and Raleigh Rimell—men whose stories reveal the human tendency to break under extreme stress. Their failures aren’t just historical footnotes but cautionary tales that mirror our own challenges today. From the icy expanse of Antarctica to the suffocating depths of the Amazon, we’ll explore what it means to survive—or not. Tune in to reflect on your own inner survivor. How would you endure when the odds are stacked against you?

In this episode of The Curio Report, we’ll dive into the remarkable story of Guglielmo Marconi, the Italian visionary behind wireless telegraphy, and how America’s government reshaped his plans. From World War I’s impact on radio to RCA’s rise as a tech monopoly—and its eventual fall—we’ll uncover the lessons these events hold for today’s tech giants like Google and Meta. Stay tuned for history, innovation, and an unforgettable twist!

Join T.W. Palmer in The Curio Report, where history and science meet adventure. In this episode, we journey to a Himba village in Namibia, exploring the profound clash between indigenous culture and the encroachment of modern technology. Witnessing this firsthand left T.W. questioning how societies adapt—or struggle—with sudden technological advancements. Through the lens of this experience, and with insights from thought leaders like Neil Postman, we examine the ripple effects of innovation. What lessons can this hold for us as artificial intelligence begins to reshape our world? Tune in for an engaging exploration of culture, technology, and the wisdom we need to navigate the future.

In this week’s episode of The Curio Report, I embark on a deeply personal journey to uncover the life of my grandfather, Lierd Elton Grant—a WWII veteran whose experiences during the war, and the aftermath of his service, profoundly shaped his life and legacy. Through family histories, interviews, and a dive into the untold stories of The Hump—the legendary airlift over the Himalayas that supplied China during the war—I piece together the fragments of Lierd’s service. His story is one of love, sacrifice, and hardship, reflecting the broader struggles of a generation forever marked by the war. This episode is more than a family history; it’s a tribute to the resilience of those who served and a reminder of the lasting impact of their sacrifices. Join me as I seek to connect with a grandfather I never knew, and perhaps, find a deeper understanding of the man and his time.

In this episode, I take you to a sacred and ancient space deep in the high elevations of Nevada's Great Basin National Park. On a solo hike, I found myself in the presence of a grove of Bristlecone pines—trees so old and weathered, they seemed like ancient matriarchs, watching over the landscape with wisdom and resilience. The feeling was powerful, spiritual, and it left me changed. But my hike had a purpose: I was searching for Prometheus, a Bristlecone pine stump with a history that raises questions about the balance of science and reverence. This story starts in 1963 when a young researcher, Dr. Donald Currey, unknowingly cut down the world’s oldest living tree in his quest for scientific data. I explore the controversy that followed, the judgment Currey faced, and what his actions mean for how we evaluate people’s intentions. Join me on a journey through time, legacy, and the value of withholding judgment as we stand before life that has endured for nearly five millennia.

In August 2024, a sandstone formation known as Double Arch, or the "Toilet Bowl," collapsed into Utah’s Lake Powell. This once-popular tourist spot captured countless vacation memories, with visitors leaping through its unique opening into the water below. While rocks tumble around the world every day, the fall of this ancient arch struck a chord, not just because it was a beloved landmark, but because of the perspective it offers on time and our place within it.

Join T.W. Palmer on The Curio Report as we explore the 190-million-year journey of Double Arch. From a world where ferns dominated the landscape and continents were fused, through ice ages and shifting land masses, geological forces slowly shaped this structure, long before humans ever existed. The arch’s fall in our era feels like an impossible alignment, a reminder of Earth’s age and our relative newness here.

Tune in for a moment of reflection on the vastness of geological time and the fleeting nature of our human experience. We may not fully grasp what events like this mean, but perhaps they offer us a rare chance to pause, find gratitude, and embrace our small yet significant role in Earth’s story.