Killer Inventions: Deep Purple

12/04/23 • 57 min

In 1856 William Henry Perkin was an 18 year old college student on spring break when he accidentally invented a method for creating synthetic purple dye, a storied color which also happened to be the most coveted in all of Europe. Still, no one could have imagined William’s home experiment would inadvertently usher in the first science-based industry, making William rich and famous, bringing color to the masses, and ultimately changing the world.
Listen to the first two seasons of Killer Means Awesome to hear more incredible true stories. Season one features amazing tales about recently discovered shipwrecks and Season two highlights biographies of people you really should know!

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Killer Inventions: LSD

The Swiss chemist Albert Hofmann was the first person to synthesize LSD in 1938. From an accidental LSD trip to today’s worldwide renaissance in government-sanctioned research, perhaps no psychedelic has triggered more controversy and headlines than LSD. What started as the brainchild of the young chemist looking for new medicines, LSD has been used in psychiatry, religious ceremonies, the creative arts, and even CIA spy-craft!
Listen to the first two seasons of Killer Means Awesome to hear more incredible true stories. Season one features amazing tales about recently discovered shipwrecks and Season two highlights biographies of people you really should know!

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Killer Inventions: The Black Box

From its earliest, primitive versions in the 1940s to the powerful, high-tech devices of today, the fabled 'black box' on airplanes has captured both the public imagination and the careful attention of engineers and investigators. Perhaps no other device does more to unravel the mystery of a plane crash than the flight recorder, which is built to withstand explosions, fires, water exposure, and intense deep-sea pressure. For the full history of this fascinating device -- including the incredible lengths which investigators go to in order to recover it after a crash -- check out the latest episode of Killer Means Awesome!
Listen to the first two seasons of Killer Means Awesome to hear more incredible true stories. Season one features amazing tales of recently discovered shipwrecks and season two highlights biographies of people you really should know!