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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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.

Copyright 2020 All rights reserved. Art Literary History & Criticism Science World
Episodes
  • NASA’s Unmentionable(s) Adventure

    NASA’s Unmentionable(s) Adventure
    Jun 9 2026

    In the 1960s, NASA needed a better spacesuit. So they turned to the one firm on earth capable of meeting their strict standards—the Playtex underwear company. Episode below!



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    19 mins
  • The Pioneers and Vestiges of Evolution

    The Pioneers and Vestiges of Evolution
    Jun 2 2026

    His book on evolution rocked 1800s England. Not Charles Darwin. Robert Chambers, whose infamous tome both horrified Darwin, yet paved the way for him.



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    18 mins
  • The Angel of the Concentration Camp

    The Angel of the Concentration Camp
    May 26 2026

    Nurse Laura Cobb saved more lives than Clara Barton or Florence Nightingale, and under far worse conditions—in a brutal World War II concentration camp. So why did the world forget her?



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    17 mins
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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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