The Disappearing Spoon: a science history podcast with Sam Kean cover art

The Disappearing Spoon: a science history podcast with Sam Kean

The Disappearing Spoon: a science history podcast with Sam Kean

By: Sam Kean
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About this listen

A topsy-turvy science-y history podcast by Sam Kean. I examine overlooked stories from our past: the dental superiority of hunter-gatherers, the crooked Nazis who saved thousands of American lives, the American immigrants who developed the most successful cancer screening tool in history, the sex lives of dinosaurs, and much, much more. These are charming little tales that never made the history books, but these small moments can be surprisingly powerful. These are the cases where history gets inverted, where the footnote becomes the real story.

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Episodes
  • Back-Breaking Science

    Back-Breaking Science
    Apr 21 2026

    When a British sub sank with all hands, JBS Haldane volunteered to investigate by experimenting on himself—even if it meant losing his own life in the process. (Part 2 of 2.)



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    18 mins
  • The Canaries in the Submarine

    The Canaries in the Submarine
    Apr 14 2026

    There’s only one thing Dr. John Haldane loved more than running dangerous experiments on himself—running them on his son Jack. But the duo would revolutionize our understanding of the human body.



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    17 mins
  • Charles Lindbergh, Lab Rat

    Charles Lindbergh, Lab Rat
    Apr 7 2026

    When Charles Lindbergh's sister-in-law developed heart trouble, he teamed up with a Nobel-Prize-winning doctor to save her. He had no idea the dark paths his work would lead him down, including Nazi politics and eugenics...



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    19 mins
All stars
Most relevant
I love how much they elaborate if I have a question they take the question out of my mouth and give me the answer.

I didn't really like the narrator I want people like Stephen fry.

i don't have a better word for this but I like older people's voices EG Stephen fry.

[THIS IS COMPLETELY MY OPINION] but seriously listen to the podcast it's amazing.

I love this podcast and the connected audio book

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