Episode Guide

Innovation Nation

Ep 235 | Mail Order Shopping

Our curator of domestic life discusses the history of mail order shopping with host Mo Rocca, who also shows us a table tennis training robot, an underwater scooter, and the disruptive invention of the digital camera.
Original Air Date: October 7, 2023
Innovation Nation

Ep 236 | Industrial Locomotives

Our curator of transportation discusses industrial locomotives with host Mo Rocca, who also shows us cameras that reveal a seal’s deep-water diet, fingerprint technology for smartphones, and the disruptive invention of the video doorbell.
Original Air Date: October 14, 2023
Innovation Nation

Ep 237 | Milking

Our curator of agriculture and the environment discusses milking with host Mo Rocca, who also shows us ocean coral engineered to withstand climate change, ferries that glide above the waves, and the wolves of Yellowstone.
Original Air Date: October 21, 2023
Innovation Nation

Ep 238 | Farmers Markets

Our curator of agriculture and the environment discusses farmers markets with host Mo Rocca, who also shows us an electric device to power your paddleboard, a high-tech pillow to curb snoring, and the evolution of electric cars.
Original Air Date: October 28, 2023
Innovation Nation

Ep 239 | Women in Agriculture

Our curator of agriculture and supervisor of living and inspiring history discuss the role of women in farmwork with host Mo Rocca, who also shows us all-terrain balance bikes for beginning riders, smart technology for tracking children's growth, and glasses designed for people with red-green color blindness.
Original Air Date: November 4, 2023
Innovation Nation

Ep 240 | Daggett Farmhouse

Our curator of historic structures and landscapes discusses Greenfield Village's Daggett farmhouse with host Mo Rocca, who also shows us an air powered home laundry chute, a sports camera that automatically highlights individual players, and the disruptive invention of the cell phone.
Original Air Date: November 11, 2023
Innovation Nation

Ep 241 | Chandeliers

Our curator of decorative arts discusses chandeliers with host Mo Rocca, who also shows us a hands-free luggage cart, camping in a 2-story tent, and the legacy of movie star Hedy Lamarr.
Original Air Date: November 18, 2023
Innovation Nation

Ep 242 | Menlo Park Laboratory

Our chief curator discusses Thomas Edison’s Menlo Park laboratory with host Mo Rocca, who also shows us the art of stacking boulders, paper designed to keep food fresh, and the inventor of a jet powered wingsuit.
Original Air Date: January 13, 2024
Innovation Nation

Ep 243 | Lillian Schwartz

Our curator of communication and information technology discusses Lillian Schwartz with host Mo Rocca, who also shows us a wearable that can help you feel warmer or cooler, a platform generating AI videos, and the disruptive invention of Auto-Tune.
Original Air Date: January 20, 2024
Innovation Nation

Ep 244 | Thomas Edison and Nikola Tesla

Our chief curator discusses Thomas Edison and Nikola Tesla with host Mo Rocca, who also shows us how live fish are transported, the resurgence of vinyl records, and bird-shaped drones designed to prevent bird strikes at airports.
Original Air Date: January 27, 2024
Innovation Nation

Ep 245 | Off-road Vehicles

Our curator of transportation discusses off-road vehicles with host Mo Rocca, who also shows us a portable cold plunge tub, a smart ukelele, and a noninvasive way to harvest honey from beehives.
Original Air Date: February 3, 2024
Innovation Nation

Ep 246 | The Rosa Parks Bus

Our president and former executive vice president discuss Rosa Parks with host Mo Rocca, who also shows us a bracelet designed to repel sharks, the school training a new generation of watchmakers, and a scientist using bananas to address vitamin A deficiency.
Original Air Date: February 10, 2024
Innovation Nation

Ep 247 | McKinley Thompson

Our curator of transportation discusses McKinley Thompson with host Mo Rocca, who also shows us a smart ring designed for women’s health, an independent science safety organization, and the disruptive invention of Mr. Coffee.
Original Air Date: February 17, 2024
Innovation Nation

Ep 248 | George Washington Carver

Our curator of agriculture and the environment discusses George Washington Carver with host Mo Rocca, who also shows us a sonar fish finder, a playground that helps teach physics, and a transforming pizza box.
Original Air Date: February 24, 2024
Innovation Nation

Ep 249 | Advertising Illustrators

Our curator of decorative arts discusses advertising illustrators with host Mo Rocca, who also shows us a device to harness the power of running water, wearable robotic gravity assistance, and the disruptive invention of the Apple 1.
Original Air Date: March 2, 2024
Innovation Nation

Ep 250 | The Wright Brothers

Our curator of transportation discusses the Wright brothers with host Mo Rocca, who also shows us biologically-inspired robots, massage chairs, and a penguin research rover.
Original Air Date: April 13, 2024
Innovation Nation

Ep 209 | Animal Power

Our curator of agriculture & the environment discusses animal-powered farms with host Mo Rocca, who also shows us tiny sensors saving snails, a lifesaving invention to stop choking and a robot that is keeping beaches clean.
Original Air Date: October 1, 2022
Innovation Nation

Ep 210 | Driver Education

Our curator of transportation discusses the evolution of driver education with host Mo Rocca, who also shows us a rock climbing treadmill wall, an invention for making plant milk at home and shipping container homes designed to keep families safe from storms.
Original Air Date: October 8, 2022
Innovation Nation

Ep 211 | Tether Car Racing

Our curator of transportation discusses tether cars with host Mo Rocca, who also shows us a mosquito repellent patch, a balloon that can take you to the edge of space and a puzzle feeder for pets.
Original Air Date: October 15, 2022
Innovation Nation

Ep 212 | Regenerative Agriculture

Our curator of curator of agriculture & the environment discusses natural fertilizers with host Mo Rocca, who also shows us flower turbines, water absorbing concrete and a theater with perfect acoustics.
Original Air Date: October 22, 2022
Innovation Nation

Ep 213 | Board Games

Our curator of domestic life discusses the evolution of board games with host Mo Rocca, who also shows us crop dusting drones, a wood alternative made from kombucha brewing waste and a tactile camera for the blind.
Original Air Date: October 29, 2022
Innovation Nation

Ep 214 | Firestone Barn

Our curator of historic structures & landscapes discusses barn architecture with host Mo Rocca, who also shows us an electric snow bike, sunglasses controlled by an app, and a device that captures carbon from the atmosphere.
Original Air Date: November 5, 2022
Innovation Nation

Ep 215 | Porches

Our curator of historic structures & landscapes discusses the history of porches with host Mo Rocca, who also shows us how dog nose prints can find a lost pet, luggage designed to grow, and planting mushrooms on your kitchen counter.
Original Air Date: November 12, 2022
Innovation Nation

Ep 216 | Libraries

Our librarian discusses the evolution of libraries with host Mo Rocca, who also shows us a co-pilot for the blind, the designer reimagining products in your home, and a scooter that is built for trails.
Original Air Date: January 7, 2022
Innovation Nation

Ep 217 | Tinsmithing

Our crafts and trades program manager discusses tinsmithing with host Mo Rocca, who also shows us a company recycling glass into sand, a wristband designed to stop motion sickness, and a bike that turns into a bed.
Original Air Date: January 14, 2023
Innovation Nation

Ep 218 | Organizing Knowledge

Our librarian discusses the organization of knowledge with host Mo Rocca, who also shows us a high-tech handheld musical instrument, digital screens replacing metal license plates, and learning through hypnosis.
Original Air Date: January 21, 2023
Innovation Nation

Ep 219 | Parking Meters

Our curator of transportation discusses the history of parking meters with host Mo Rocca, who also shows us an innovative way to hang wallpaper, an AI-enabled breathing trainer, and a bedside lamp designed to help babies get better sleep.
Original Air Date: January 28, 2022
Innovation Nation

Ep 220 | Porches

Our curator of historic structures & landscapes discusses the history of porches with host Mo Rocca, who also shows us a lifesaving invention to stop choking, a theater with perfect acoustics, and shipping container homes designed to keep families safe from storms.
Original Air Date: February 4, 2023
Innovation Nation

Ep 221 | Women-founded Potteries

Our curator of decorative arts discusses the women of art pottery with host Mo Rocca, who also shows us a smart sprinkler that conforms to each lawn's shape, the company converting vintage cars to electric and updates on our past innovators.
Original Air Date: February 11, 2023
Innovation Nation

Ep 222 | Idioms

One of our associate curators discusses the origins of idioms with host Mo Rocca, who also shows us an app designed to read for us, a microphone blocker for smart devices and a wireless electronic brake system for inline skates.
Original Air Date: February 18, 2023
Innovation Nation

Ep 223 | Paper Dresses

Our curator of domestic life discusses the paper dress trend with host Mo Rocca, who also shows us hair clippers with a built-in camera for DIY cuts, a headset designed to relieve stress, and noise cancelling earbuds made for sleeping.
Original Air Date: February 25, 2023
Innovation Nation

Ep 224 | Ruth Adler Schnee

Our curator of design discusses a pioneering textile designer with host Mo Rocca, who also shows us a tiny dog vest created to stop predators, a high-tech bus shelter, and aftermarket dash cams designed for safer driving.
Original Air Date: April 22, 2023
Innovation Nation

Ep 225 | Automobiles & Women’s Suffrage

One of our associate curators discusses the automobile's role in the women’s suffrage movement with host Mo Rocca, who also shows us a high-tech chess trainer, an update on the inventor of the "Hollow Flashlight," and a waterproof bag designed to protect cars during floods.
Original Air Date: April 29, 2023
Innovation Nation

Ep 226 | Best of Organizing Knowledge

Our librarian discusses the organization of knowledge with host Mo Rocca, who also shows us a balloon that can take you to the edge of space, a rock climbing treadmill wall, and how dog nose prints can find a lost pet.
Original Air Date: May 6, 2023
Innovation Nation

Ep 227 | Glenn Curtiss

One of our associate curators discusses motorcycle and aviation pioneer Glenn Curtiss with host Mo Rocca, who also shows us the autonomous seacraft collecting hurricane data, an under-bed clothes hamper, and a compact wind turbine designed to charge electronic devices outdoors.
Original Air Date: May 13, 2023
Innovation Nation

Ep 228 | Technology as Furniture

Our curator of decorative arts discusses technology as furniture with host Mo Rocca, who also shows us a gift box that explodes with fun, a portable active wheelchair, and the way electric utilities shield conductors from lightning.
Original Air Date: May 20, 2023
Innovation Nation

Ep 229 | Snow Globes

Our retired senior curator and curator of public life discusses the history of snow globes with host Mo Rocca, who also shows us autonomous race cars, the teen who invented a tiny earthquake warning system, and self-healing concrete.
Original Air Date: May 27, 2023
Innovation Nation

Ep 231 | Combines

Our curator of agriculture and the environment discusses combines with host Mo Rocca, who also shows us high tech solar shingles for rooftops, a vibrating smoke alarm for those with hearing impairments, and floor tiles that generate power.
Original Air Date: July 1, 2023
Innovation Nation

Ep 232 | Serial Publications

Our librarian discusses serial publications with host Mo Rocca, who also shows us custom finger prostheses, a biosensor designed to detect sweat loss, and a folding cartop tent.
Original Air Date: July 8, 2023
Innovation Nation

Ep 233 | Byrd Arctic Expedition

Our curator of transportation discusses Richard Byrd's North Pole flight with Host Mo Rocca, who also shows us a method of stocking fish from the air, a line of hybrid locking devices, and updates from past innovators.
Original Air Date: July 15, 2023
Innovation Nation

Ep 234 | Best of - Board Games

Our curator of domestic life discusses the evolution of board games with host Mo Rocca, who also shows us tiny sensors designed to save snails, mushrooms grown on kitchen counters, and a device that captures carbon from the atmosphere.
Original Air Date: July 22, 2023
Innovation Nation

Ep 183 | Wright Brothers Patents

Our curator of transportation talks about the Wright brothers' battle to protect their airplane patents with host Mo Rocca, who also shows us a soft serve ice cream maker for your countertop, an app that translates your dog’s barks, and special drones helping hunt down invasive pythons in the Florida Everglades.
Original Air Date: October 2, 2021
Innovation Nation

Ep 184 | Apples

Our curator of agriculture demonstrates the old-fashioned way to make apple cider for host Mo Rocca, who also shows us a high-tech bird feeder that lets you shoot pictures and video of your feathered friends, a bottle cap that purifies water with light, and see-through urban beehives that let you watch how the honey is made.
Original Air Date: October 9, 2021
Innovation Nation

Ep 185 | Convertibles

Our curator of transportation discusses when the convertible became the coolest car on the road with host Mo Rocca, who also shows us GPS trackers disguised as sea turtle eggs to help catch poachers, a new way of timing a timer, and the self-cleaning door handle.
Original Air Date: October 16, 2021
Innovation Nation

Ep 186 | Spinning

Our chief curator discusses the machines that spin the thread for your threads with host Mo Rocca, who also shows us a robotic restaurant kitchen, how to keep your belongings safe at the beach or pool, and the artist telling time with a paint brush.
Original Air Date: October 23, 2021
Innovation Nation

Ep 187 | Toll Roads

Our curator of transportation discusses the history of toll roads with host Mo Rocca, who also shows us how police dogs are being kept safe on the job, the safety vest lighting the way for nighttime runners, and the webcam that's revolutionizing video calls.
Original Air Date: October 30, 2021
Innovation Nation

Ep 188 | Children’s Furniture

Our curator of decorative arts shares downsized furniture for kids with host Mo Rocca, who also shows us a stylish bracelet that sends out an SOS if the wearer needs help, the scanning technology preserving classic car design, and ski poles that help keep skiers' hands warm.
Original Air Date: November 6, 2021
Innovation Nation

Ep 189 | Tomato Harvester

Our curator of agriculture & the environment shares the history of mechanized tomato harvesting with host Mo Rocca, who also shows us a water-filled blanket, the filter keeping washing machine microfibers out of the oceans, and building a better mousetrap.
Original Air Date: November 13, 2021
Innovation Nation

Ep 190 | Isamu Noguchi

Our chief curator discusses Isamu Noguchi's design career with host Mo Rocca, who also shows us the accidental invention of a pain-relieving patch, the pocket innovation holding more stuff, and a refrigerator camera that tells you what to shop for.
Original Air Date: November 20, 2021
Innovation Nation

Ep 191 | Taxicabs

Our curator of transportation discusses the evolution of the taxicab with host Mo Rocca, who also shows us how to feel music with haptic speakers, stylish homes made from shipping containers, and an air filtration system made of plants.
Original Air Date: January 15, 2022
Innovation Nation

Ep 192 | Public Education

Our curator of domestic life discusses the advent of public education with host Mo Rocca, who also shows us how solar energy is powering water filtration, a new satellite keeping track of the earth’s climate, and a targeted red light therapy device.
Original Air Date: January 22, 2022
Innovation Nation

Ep 193 | Cast Iron Cookstoves

Our curator of domestic life discusses cast iron cookstoves with host Mo Rocca, who also shows us a pool escape ramp for critters, an app helping PTSD survivors, and renewable energy created from crop waste.
Original Air Date: January 29, 2022
Innovation Nation

Ep 194 | Best of – Wright Brothers Patents

Our curator of transportation discusses the Wright brothers' battle to protect their patents with host Mo Rocca, who also shows us a stylish bracelet that sends out an SOS if the wearer needs help, GPS trackers disguised as sea turtle eggs to help catch poachers, and a beehive that lets you see how the honey is made.
Original Air Date: February 5, 2022
Innovation Nation

Ep 195 | Dr. Howard

Our curator of public life discusses 19th-century medicine with host Mo Rocca, who also shows us how AR is helping surgeons see inside their patients, the doorway roller easing backaches, and a status report on previously featured innovators.
Original Air Date: February 12, 2022
Innovation Nation

Ep 196 | Studio Glass

Our curator of decorative arts discusses the beautiful art of studio glass with host Mo Rocca, who also show us a speaker powered by water, the car seat net that stops your things from taking flight, and GPS for your pet’s collar.
Original Air Date: February 19, 2022
Innovation Nation

Ep 197 | Baseball

The director of Greenfield Village discusses baseball's beginnings with host Mo Rocca, who also shows us dry dock boat storage that works like a vending machine, the heads-up display showing pilots what’s behind the clouds, and the device measuring the air in your lungs.
Original Air Date: February 26, 2022
Innovation Nation

Ep 198 | Airplane Racing

Our curator of transportation discusses airplane racing with host Mo Rocca, who also shows us a smart notebook, swim goggles that display real-time metrics, and the wristband GPS for extreme sports and boating.
Original Air Date: March 5, 2022
Innovation Nation

Ep 199 | Best of – Convertibles

Our curator of transportation discusses how the convertible became the coolest car on the road with host Mo Rocca, who also shows us a water-filled blanket, a way to keep police dogs safe, and an air filtration system made of plants.
Original Air Date: April 23, 2022
Innovation Nation

Ep 200 | Standard Sizes

Our chief curator discusses standard sizes with host Mo Rocca, who also shows us a tennis ball bot, a device saving lives by keeping transplant hearts beating, and a blow-dry box for pets.
Original Air Date: April 30, 2022
Innovation Nation

Ep 201 | Early Firefighting

Our curator of transportation discusses the evolution of firefighting with host Mo Rocca, who also shows us the art of aluminum cans, 3D-printed parts for classic cars, and a portable chair that packs down to the size of a water bottle.
Original Air Date: May 7, 2022
Innovation Nation

Ep 202 | Early Racing

Our curator of transportation discusses early automobile racing with host Mo Rocca, who also shows us modern-day log home builders, the rental car scanner searching for scratches, and a device that transforms any bicycle into an e-bike.
Original Air Date: May 14, 2022
Innovation Nation

Ep 203 | Ackley Covered Bridge

Our curator of historic structures & landscapes discusses covered bridges with host Mo Rocca, who also shows us the device rewarding your pooch, taking a picture with your wrist, and reusable washcloth tablets.
Original Air Date: May 21, 2022
Innovation Nation

Ep 204 | Best of – Tomato Harvester

Our curator of agriculture & the environment shares the history of mechanized tomato harvesting with host Mo Rocca, who also shows us a soft serve ice cream maker for your countertop, the webcam that's revolutionizing video calls, and building a better mousetrap.
Original Air Date: May 28, 2022
Innovation Nation

Ep 205 | National Parks

Our curator of public life shares the history of America's national parks with host Mo Rocca, who also shows us custom camper vans, dousing a fire with the toss of a ball, and how to create compost on your kitchen countertop.
Original Air Date: July 2, 2022
Innovation Nation

Ep 206 | 20th-century Jewelry

Our curator of decorative arts shares the history of modern jewelry with host Mo Rocca, who also shows us a computerized exoskeleton allowing some paralyzed people to walk, creating electricity with turbines inside of pipes, and parking your dog in a hut outside of stores.
Original Air Date: July 9, 2022
Innovation Nation

Ep 207 | Weaving

Our chief curator discusses the history of weaving with host Mo Rocca, who also shows us 3D printing with sawdust, the smart delivery box protecting your packages, and advice from our past innovators.
Original Air Date: July 16, 2022
Innovation Nation

Ep 208 | Best of - Ackley Covered Bridge

Our curator of historic structures & landscapes discusses covered bridges with host Mo Rocca, who also shows us special drones helping hunt down invasive pythons in the Florida Everglades, how to feel music with haptic speakers, and ski poles that help keep skiers' hands warm.
Original Air Date: July 23, 2022
Innovation Nation

Ep 157 | Barnstorming

Host Mo Rocca shows us synchronized drones taking the place of fireworks; the robotic lawn mower that cuts your grass on its own; two fathers who invented a car seat that fits in a small pouch; and, when the circus took to the sky with barnstorming flyers.
Original Air Date: January 2, 2021
Innovation Nation

Ep 158 | Women Inventors

Host Mo Rocca shows us the innovation of beautiful homes made of earth; opening your front door with a touch; highway guard rails that roll away crashes; and, historic women inventors.
Original Air Date: January 9, 2021
Innovation Nation

Ep 159 | Menlo Park, December 1880

Host Mo Rocca shows us weather stations in your back yard; the oven that keeps food cold until cook time; keeping your carpets clean without taking off your shoes; and, how Edison convinced New York politicians that his way was the future.
Original Air Date: January 16, 2021
Innovation Nation

Ep 160 | 1931 Bugatti Royale

Host Mo Rocca shows us tiny satellites that you can control; the highest tech in vending machines; TV training your dog while you’re not home; and, the story of one of the most luxurious cars ever built.
Original Air Date: January 23, 2021
Innovation Nation

Ep 161 | Voting Technology

Host Mo Rocca shows us the smart thermometers predicting disease hot spots; the sliding patio dog door; replacing tissues with a cloth handkerchief dispenser; and, the evolution of voting technology.
Original Air Date: January 30, 2021
Innovation Nation

Ep 162 | Nikola Tesla

Host Mo Rocca shows us tiny alarm pods to protect your valuables; the bathroom scale that checks your balance; canceling the noise outside; and, the genius of Nikola Tesla.
Original Air Date: February 6, 2021
Innovation Nation

Ep 163 | Beekeeping

Host Mo Rocca shows us the motorized surfboard fin; a super absorbent sponge to keep construction going after rainstorms; glasses that monitor your health; and, the history of beehives and harvesting honey.
Original Air Date: February 13, 2021
Innovation Nation

Ep 164 | Telephones

Host Mo Rocca shows us the body airbag for motorcycle safety; the sleep/wake system that uses colored light to help you rest; the handheld mini printer that prints with a swipe; and, the history of the telephone.
Original Air Date: February 20, 2021
Innovation Nation

Ep 165 | Wool Carding

Host Mo Rocca shows us a swimming and walking robot; a device to drain the pain of clogged sinuses; the smartest cutting board for your kitchen; and, machines that prepared wool fibers to become yarn.
Original Air Date: February 27, 2021
Innovation Nation

Ep 166 | Creative Circuits

Host Mo Rocca shows us: the device to quickly teach you how to play the guitar; a drone-less way to take aerial photos; the backpack that displays messages; and, how early tech hacks led to new innovations.
Original Air Date: April 10, 2021
Innovation Nation

Ep 167 | Encyclopedias

Host Mo Rocca shows us: a motorized bodyboard for watersports; saving your leftovers with reusable pinch top bags; matching paint color with a high-tech sensor; and, the history of encyclopedias.
Original Air Date: April 17, 2021
Innovation Nation

Ep 168 | Best of - Beekeeping

Host Mo Rocca shows us: synchronized drones with lights taking the place of fireworks; tiny alarm pods to protect your valuables; TV training your dog while you’re not home; and, the history of beehives and harvesting honey.
Original Air Date: April 24, 2021
Innovation Nation

Ep 169 | Cookbooks

Host Mo Rocca shows us: how artificial intelligence is taking over drone racing; purses and totes made from old highway billboards; a look back at our past innovators; and, how cookbooks changed the culinary world.
Original Air Date: May 1, 2021
Innovation Nation

Ep 170 | Air Traffic Management

Host Mo Rocca shows us: robot realtors touring homes for sale; the vibrating wristband that helps the hearing impaired; 3D printed corneas; and, the beginnings of air traffic control.
Original Air Date: May 8, 2021
Innovation Nation

Ep 171 | Currier Shoe Shop

Host Mo Rocca shows us: a wearable walkie talkie; an over-the-top door camera to help secure homes and apartments; a device to clean and recycle used water in the home; and, the Currier Shoe Shop story.
Original Air Date: May 15, 2021
Innovation Nation

Ep 173 | Weathervanes

Host Mo Rocca shows us: a check-in with the inventor of the Ring Video Doorbell; 3D printers that swarm; the telescope to view stars on your phone; and, early forecasting with weathervanes.
Original Air Date: May 29, 2021
Innovation Nation

Ep 174 | Best of – Nikola Tesla

Host Mo Rocca shows us the device to quickly teach you how to play guitar; the robotic lawn mower that cuts your grass on its own; replacing tissue with a cloth handkerchief dispenser; and, the genius of Nikola Tesla.
Original Air Date: July 3, 2021
Innovation Nation

Ep 175 | Greenfield Village

Host Mo Rocca shows us the ultimate electric motorcycle; the inventor who created phone calls over the internet; turning cacti into leather; and, the planning it takes to create a village.
Original Air Date: July 10, 2021
Innovation Nation

Ep 176 | Standardized Time

Host Mo Rocca shows us the innovative company creating nutritious burgers from ocean kelp; the baby sock that monitors a child’s health; technology to help those with dyslexia; and, when time became standardized.
Original Air Date: July 17, 2021
Innovation Nation

Ep 177 | Managing Mass Production

Host Mo Rocca shows us the woman who led the team to show us the first picture of a black hole in outer space; the latest in old and new tech for your kitchen; a wearable device to help you keep focus; and, managing early mass production.
Original Air Date: July 24, 2021
Innovation Nation

Ep 180 | Accidental Inventions

Host Mo Rocca shows us the baseball bat with an axe handle grip; roof panels that pull water from the air; roads made of plastic; and, the history of accidental inventions.
Original Air Date: August 14, 2021
Innovation Nation

Ep 181 | Lawns

Host Mo Rocca shows us liquid-filled eyeglasses that adjust to your sight; the diabetes monitor that changed lives; advice from our past inventors and innovators; and, the history of lawns.
Original Air Date: August 21, 2021
Innovation Nation

Ep 182 | Menlo Park, December 1880

Host Mo Rocca shows us the innovation of beautiful homes made of earth; a swimming and walking robot; the telescope to view stars on your phone; and, how Edison convinced New York politicians that his way was the future.
Original Air Date: August 28, 2021
Innovation Nation

Ep 131 | Sewing Machines

Host Mo Rocca shows us the innovator creating superstrong thread from spider DNA; the boxing robot dodging your jabs; the tiny drone that keeps soldiers safe; and, when the sewing machine replaced the needle and thread.
Original Air Date: 09/28/2019
Innovation Nation

Ep 132 | Station Wagons

Host Mo Rocca shows us the bot baking you the freshest bread; the family building the air cleaner for the cleanest air; glasses to prevent motion sickness; and, going way, way back to the history of the station wagon.
Original Air Date: 10/05/2019
Innovation Nation

Ep 133 | Tripp Sawmill

Host Mo Rocca shows us the crime-fighting tether tripping up bad guys; the woman who started the blow-drying empire; window blinds powering your place; and, when the big wood saw was replaced with the sawmill.
Original Air Date: 10/12/2019
Innovation Nation

Ep 134 | Assistive Technology

Host Mo Rocca shows us the inventor of the Alinker Bike that’s changing the world for those with limited mobility; the school bus tracker cutting out waiting at bus stops; a shoe sole sensor keeping track of your feet; and, when tech began to aid accessibility.
Original Air Date: 10/19/2019
Innovation Nation

Ep 135 | Art Glass

Host Mo Rocca shows us robots that grow as they slither along; the wall shelves just for cats; French igloos, housing their homeless; and, when glass became artistic.
Original Air Date: 10/26/2019
Innovation Nation

Ep 136 | Inventor Tenacity

Host Mo Rocca shows us the emergency airplane slides for buildings and schools; parking sensors for your older car; the smartest ski boots on the slopes; and, the incredible tenacity it takes to be a successful inventor.
Original Air Date: 11/2/2019
Innovation Nation

Ep 137 | 1865 Roper Steam Carriage

Host Mo Rocca shows us technology that lets firefighters see through smoke; replacing the needle with jet-injected medicine; an enzyme that can eat landfill plastic; and, the oldest surviving American automobile.
Original Air Date: November 9, 2019
Innovation Nation

Ep 138 | J.R. Jones General Store

Host Mo Rocca shows us a women’s rain boot stylishly keeping shoes dry; the tomato sorter swatting away the green ones; the folding origami hot drink cup with no plastic lid; and, before superstores, there were general stores.
Original Air Date: November 16, 2019
Innovation Nation

Ep 139 | Vacuum Cleaners

Host Mo Rocca shows us the device forcing scofflaws to pay parking tickets by covering their windshields; closing a wound with a zip, not a stitch; bike navigation showing riders the way; and, carpets took a beating until the vacuum cleaner was invented.
Original Air Date: November 23, 2019
Innovation Nation

Ep 140 | Comic Books

Host Mo Rocca shows us solar power that follows the sun; the wristband lulling you to sleep; the device letting us know if our water is pure; and, the beginning of superhero comic books.
Original Air Date: January 18, 2020
Innovation Nation

Ep 141 | Collections Connections

Mo Rocca shows us grown-up building blocks; the mechanical shoe for those who can’t bend over; the breathing pillow to snuggle you to sleep; and, keeping track of historic innovations.
Original Air Date: January 25, 2020
Innovation Nation

Ep 142 | Best of - Tripp Sawmill

Mo Rocca shows us the bot baking you the freshest bread; the crime-fighting tether tripping up bad guys; the tiny drone keeping soldiers safe; and, when the big wood saw was replaced with the sawmill.
Original Air Date: February 1, 2020
Innovation Nation

Ep 143 | Hybrid Technology

Host Mo Rocca shows us the robot helping keep hospitals running smoothly; the device that can detect if that spot on your arm is skin cancer; concrete that drinks up rainwater; and, how hybrid technology goes back a lot further in history than you might think.
Original Air Date: February 8, 2020
Innovation Nation

Ep 144 | George Washington Carver

Mo Rocca shows us the electronic glasses that allow the blind to see; the sun tracking umbrella shielding you from harmful rays; updates on past innovators from previous seasons; and, a look at George Washington Carver, who changed the way farmers farmed.
Original Air Date: February 15, 2020
Innovation Nation

Ep 145 | Mattox Family Home

Host Mo Rocca shows us the medical device giving shots with pressure instead of a needle; testing your eyes for glasses with an app on your phone; the airbag backpack saving people during avalanches; and, a glimpse at one family’s life during the 1930s.
Original Air Date: February 22, 2020
Innovation Nation

Ep 146 | Eggs

Mo Rocca shows us microphones listening for deforestation; the bot that disinfects the sheets on your bed; the braille watch letting the blind tell time; and, how eggs became a common food throughout America.
Original Air Date: February 29, 2020
Innovation Nation

Ep 147 | Mobile Music

Host Mo Rocca shows us the doorbell just for your dog; the toddler carrier that lets kids stand up for the ride; the app that counts your calories by taking a picture of your food; and, when music became mobile.
Original Air Date: March 7, 2020
Innovation Nation

Ep 148 | Best of - Sewing Machines

Host Mo Rocca shows us the inventor of a bike that’s changing the world for those with limited mobility; the emergency airplane slides for buildings and schools; glasses to prevent motion sickness; and, when the sewing machine replaced the needle and thread.
Original Air Date: March 28, 2020
Innovation Nation

Ep 149 | Tintype Photography

Host Mo Rocca shows us the tech perfecting downhill skiing skills without snow; the engineering transforming theater seats; starting a fire with the pull of a string; and, how pictures were taken before film.
Original Air Date: April 4, 2020
Innovation Nation

Ep 150 | Luther Burbank

Host Mo Rocca shows us the greening of mouth care with plastic-free tablet toothpaste; the smartphone harness preventing the drop; the cane for the blind that gives directions; and, the potato that started trillions of french fries.
Original Air Date: April 11, 2020
Innovation Nation

Ep 151 | Refrigerator Cars

Host Mo Rocca shows us the kitchen garden growing dinner; the robot keeping property safe; the screen filter that protects your eyes from dangerous blue light; and, how refrigerated railroad cars brought food to the masses.
Original Air Date: April 18, 2020
Innovation Nation

Ep 152 | Best of - Comic Books

Host Mo Rocca shows us the innovator creating superstrong thread from spider DNA; technology that lets firefighters see through smoke; the breathing pillow to snuggle you to sleep; and, the beginning of superhero comic books.
Original Air Date: April 25, 2020
Innovation Nation

Ep 153 | Tools

Host Mo Rocca shows us the rise of shared electric scooters; the modular backyard ice rink; portable solar power to aid in disasters; and, how precision tools accelerated innovation.
Original Air Date: October 3, 2020
Innovation Nation

Ep 154 | Hay

Host Mo Rocca shows us the innovator replacing plastic straws with seaweed; the car alarm that texts you; the robot that writes on walls; and, how hay helps farmers keep livestock healthy.
Original Air Date: October 10, 2020
Innovation Nation

Ep 155 | Salt Kiln

Host Mo Rocca shows us the robot teaching children different languages; technology to prevent bed wetting among children; how salt helped beautify pottery; and advice from our past innovators.
Original Air Date: October 17, 2020
Innovation Nation

Ep 156 | Best of - Station Wagons

Host Mo Rocca shows us the woman who started the blow-drying empire; the school bus tracker cutting out waiting at the bus stop; concrete that drinks up rainwater; and, going way, way back to the history of the station wagon.
Original Air Date: October 24, 2020
Innovation Nation

Ep 108 | Geometric Pies featuring ham radio

Host Mo Rocca shows us saving homes from floods with an inner tube-like system; the baker using math to create her artistic pies; the French app maker keeping travelers safe by warning of high crime areas to avoid; and, the history of ham radios keeping the world connected.
Original Air Date: 10/20/2018
Innovation Nation

Ep 110 | Africa Blood Drone featuring typewriters

Host Mo Rocca shows us the startup using drones to deliver lifesaving blood to hard-to-reach villages in Africa; the bed fan that’s a hot leg fan; 3D-printed bicycle tires that never go flat; and, how the typewriter changed the history of communication.
Original Air Date: 11/03/2018
Innovation Nation

Ep 112 | Hydrofoil Surfboard featuring railroad cabooses

Host Mo Rocca shows us the creator of the Jetfoiler Surfboard that rides high above the waves; the device pointing the way to friends lost in crowds or wilderness; the weeding robot keeping gardens growing their best; and, the importance of the train caboose, bringing up the rear.
Original Air Date: 11/17/18
Innovation Nation

Ep 116 | Fog Security featuring Ham Radio

Host Mo Rocca shows us the fog security system that deters burglars; the jet hoverboard that flies over 100 mph as high as 9,000 feet; the new discovery to grow crops in deserts; and, the history of ham radios keeping the world connected.
Original Air Date: 2/2/19
Innovation Nation

Ep 126 | Food Allergy Sensor featuring cabooses

Host Mo Rocca shows us the baker using math to create her artistic pies; the creator of the Jetfoiler Surfboard that rides high above the waves; the handheld device saving lives by detecting peanuts and gluten in foods; and, the importance of the train caboose, bringing up the rear.
Original Air Date: 04/27/19
Innovation Nation

Ep 127 | Folding Bike Helmet featuring plastics

Host Mo Rocca shows us how tragedy inspired a brother to create a new kind of bike helmet; the countertop dishwasher that runs on a gallon of water; the dad and son team who created a computerized power drill; and, the history of plastic and how it changed the world.
Original Air Date: 05/04/19
Innovation Nation

Ep 128 | Compact Cars featuring compact cars

Host Mo Rocca shows us the firefighting device that blasts water through walls; the inventors of the car diagnostic module that tells you what needs to be repaired; the inventor of the smart baby bottle that keeps track of an infant’s feeding; and, when cars went from big to compact.
Original Air Date: 5/11/2019
Innovation Nation

Ep 82 | Gloving featuring roads

Host Mo Rocca shows us the new art form of lighting your fingertips; inventing the alien rock grabber; earbuds that translate languages in real time; and, the history of roads connecting the country.
Original Air Date: 10/21/17
Innovation Nation

Ep 88 | Telehealth featuring pony cars

Host Mo Rocca shows us the cargo carrier that follows you; the device that allows doctors to examine you from the other side of the world; a new spin on the old-world butter churn; and, when the car industry moved to muscle cars.
Original Air Date: 1/20/18
Innovation Nation

Ep 93 | Solar Grill featuring the Tucker 48

Host Mo Rocca shows us the fireless grill that cooks using heat from the sun; the sponge that can sop up ocean oil spills; the scuba diving tank you can pump up by hand; and, the innovator whose “car of tomorrow” failed to catch on.
Original Air Date: 2/24/18
Innovation Nation

Ep 100 | 100th Episode featuring the Rosa Parks bus

Host Mo Rocca shows us the best of our first 100 shows, including the wolves of Yellowstone; the teen who created an app to help those being bullied in school; the Jetman who flies with wings on his back; and, the story of Rosa Parks and restoring the bus where she made history.
Original Air Date: 04/28/2018
Innovation Nation

Ep 62 | Ron Popeil featuring air mail

Host Mo Rocca shows us the TV pitch man and inventor behind dozens of inventions including the Pocket Fisherman; the listening device that can find people buried after an earthquake; measuring your rooms and creating a floorplan of your house with a cellphone; and how air mail changed how we communicated.
Original Air Date: 01/21/2017
Innovation Nation

Ep 74 | Air Mail featuring air mail

Host Mo Rocca shows us the movie magic behind animal actors; the computerized farmer for your garden; how collecting water in Africa is less of a pain in the neck; and how air mail changed how we communicated.
Original Air Date: 04/29/2017
Innovation Nation

Ep 34 | Baby Tech featuring the Owl Night Lunch Wagon

Host Mo Rocca shows us the highest tech to keep tabs on your toddler; rebuilding the billfold that’s been breaking your backside; the history behind the lunch wagon and mobile food; and the playful polymers making you jump higher while keeping babies’ bottoms drier.
Original Air Date: 11/21/2015
Innovation Nation

Ep 37 | Conservation

Our chief conservator discusses artifact conservation with host Mo Rocca, who also shows us an inventor soaring to new heights with a jet on his back, an innovation putting an end to police chases, and a book that filters dirty water.
Original Air Date: 01/30/16
Innovation Nation

Ep 48 | Vine King featuring the Vagabonds

Host Mo Rocca shows us the inventor who is soaring to new heights with a jet on his back; Vine’s ‘Six Second Spielberg,’ Zach King; how history’s greatest innovators go camping; and the chemistry making the world more colorful.
Original Air Date: 04/30/2016
Innovation Nation

Ep 6 | Aging Software featuring the Dymaxion House

Host Mo Rocca shows software that can accurately age any facial picture to up to 80 years old; a futuristic portable home of the past; emergency tech — how to stay in touch when the power goes out; how actress Hedy Lamarr changed our wireless world.
Original Air Date: 11/01/2014
Innovation Nation

Ep 12 | Three Under 20 featuring Thomas Edison's Menlo Park Laboratory

Host Mo Rocca shows us incredible innovators under 20 years old; 9-year-old Algae Girl, who is pioneering oil-producing algae by growing it under her bed; how Thomas Edison’s inventions still make us all look like slackers; 16-year-old Hollow Flashlight Girl, who invented a battery-free flashlight; and the 20-year-old from the Netherlands who is skimming the plastics from our oceans.
Original Air Date: 01/31/2015
Innovation Nation

Ep 17 | Pocket Printer featuring Thomas Edison's patent models

Host Mo Rocca shows us the hardware store robot; the incredible patent models from Thomas Edison that show us the beginning of our electronic world; how the USG Corp. is leading the way with grooming the next generation of engineers and mathematicians; the Israeli inventors of a printer that fits in your pocket.
Original Air Date: 04/11/2015
Innovation Nation

Ep 19 | Inventor of Email featuring historic steam engines

Host Mo Rocca shows us the inventor of a fireproof gel that is helping firefighters save lives; the historic steam engines that are the grandfathers of electricity; a camera that automatically follows you so you’re always in frame; and the man who, at 14 years old, invented the email system we use today.
Original Air Date: 04/25/2015