Explore every episode of the podcast Math! Science! History!
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ludwig Boltzmann: Entropy, Atoms, and Mental Health | 30 Sep 2025 | 00:31:32 | |
What does it cost to carry a brilliant idea? Ludwig Boltzmann gave us the statistical foundations of entropy and the famous S = k log W, yet his life was marked by relentless skepticism, isolation, and personal struggle. In this episode, we weave Boltzmann's story with the modern mental health crisis in academia, where anxiety, depression, and burnout affect scientists at alarming rates. We'll explore how probability explains not only the arrow of time, but also why community, resilience, and care are essential for science to thrive. 3 Things Listeners Will Learn:
Resources & Further Reading:
🔗 Explore more on our website: mathsciencehistory.com 🌍 Let's Connect! 🎧 Enjoying the Podcast? ☕ Support the Show: Coffee!! PayPal Leave a review! It helps more people discover the show! Check out our merch: https://www.mathsciencehistory.com/the-store Music: All music is public domain and has no Copyright and no rights reserved. 🎵 Audio Editor: Podcast mixed by David Aviles Until next time, carpe diem! | |||
| FLASHCARDS: Ahmed Zewail - The Scientist Who Captured Molecules in Motion | 26 Sep 2025 | 00:09:30 | |
What if you could watch molecules move in real time? Nobel Prize-winning chemist Ahmed Zewail made that possible by pioneering femtochemistry, capturing chemical reactions in quadrillionths of a second. In this Flashcards Friday episode, Gabrielle Birchak uncovers Zewail's remarkable journey: from his modest childhood in Egypt, to facing challenges as an immigrant scientist in the U.S., to transforming the very foundations of chemistry. Along the way, we explore how his resilience, persistence, and vision helped him rise above obstacles and leave a legacy that continues to inspire scientists across the globe. Three Things You'll Learn
Resources & Further Reading
🔗 Explore more on our website: mathsciencehistory.com 🌍 Let's Connect! 🎧 Enjoying the Podcast? If you love Math, Science, History, here's how you can help: ☕ Support the Show: Coffee!! PayPal 🛍 Check out our merch: https://www.mathsciencehistory.com/the-store 🎵 Music: All music is public domain and has no Copyright and no rights reserved. 🎵 Sound Editor: David Aviles | |||
| REPOST: A Brief History of the Microscope | 19 Aug 2025 | 00:18:16 | |
First crafted in the late 16th century, the microscope forever changed science by revealing worlds hidden from the naked eye. In this special repost from 2020, Gabrielle takes you through centuries of innovation—from glass lenses to high-tech marvels—and explores how this transformative tool shaped medicine, biology, and our understanding of life itself. Three key topics The origins of the microscope, including its earliest inventors and the coining of its name in 1625. How microscopes evolved from simple lenses to electron and cryo-electron imaging. The ways microscopes continue to impact scientific discovery today. Links to Resources Luke Jerram's Glass Microbe Sculptures: https://www.lukejerram.com/ National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases – COVID-19 Images: https://www.niaid.nih.gov/news-events/novel-coronavirus-sarscov2-images History of Microscopy – Encyclopedia Britannica: https://www.britannica.com/technology/microscope Explore more on our website: mathsciencehistory.com
🌍 Let's Connect! ☕ Support the Show: Coffee!! PayPal Check out our merch: https://www.mathsciencehistory.com/the-store 🎵 Music: All music is public domain and has no Copyright and no rights reserved. Until next time, carpe diem! | |||
| Sofya Kovalevskaya | 11 May 2022 | 00:16:11 | |
Gender disparity is still evident in STEM. But, how hard was it in the 19th century? Sofya Kovalevskaya's efforts to become a full professor show just how hard it was. To read about Kovalevskaya, visit me at www.MathScienceHistory.com. To buy my book Hypatia: The Sum of Her Life on Amazon, visit https://a.co/d/g3OuP9h Until next time, carpe diem! Gabrielle All music by Lloyd Rodgers - No Copyright - No rights reserved | |||
| Pseu-Pseu-Pseudio Pseudomathematics | 06 May 2022 | 00:14:24 | |
Many of us have heard about pseudoscience, which is a system of theories that are wrongly considered to be scientific. But have you ever heard of pseudomathematics? How about mathematical crankery? If you want to read more about pseudomathematics, visit me at www.MathScienceHistory.com. To buy my book Hypatia: The Sum of Her Life on Amazon, visit https://a.co/d/g3OuP9h Until next time, carpe diem! Gabrielle All music by Lloyd Rodgers - No Copyright - No rights reserved | |||
| REPOST: Math! Science! History! Introduction | 23 Dec 2021 | 00:11:15 | |
Math is part of our genetic makeup, and history proves it to be true! From 30,000 years ago to today, math has guided us, inspired us, and fueled our scientific progress. For more information on the ancient Mesopotamian clay tablet, you can see them up close on Dr. Bill Casselman's website at http://www.math.ubc.ca/~cass/Euclid/ybc/ybc.html. You can also read more about the tablet at Mathematical Association of America at https://www.maa.org/press/periodicals/convergence/the-best-known-old-babylonian-tablet To buy my book Hypatia: The Sum of Her Life on Amazon, visit https://a.co/d/g3OuP9h Until next time, carpe diem! Gabrielle Music is public domain. Little Prince by Lloyd Rodgers. www.LloydRodgers.com | |||
| It's the 2021 Holiday Puzzle! | 15 Dec 2021 | 00:15:19 | |
It's that time of year! It's time for my Annual Holiday Puzzle! And it's my THIRD Annual Puzzle! (I can't believe the podcast is going on three years!) This year I am upping the ante! If you can solve the puzzles, and be the first person to email me the correct answers to Gabrielle@MathScienceHistory.com, you will win a $40 Amazon gift card and a dye-cut Math! Science! History! sticker! To see a written version, the transcripts are at https://www.MathScienceHistory.com To buy my book Hypatia: The Sum of Her Life on Amazon, visit https://a.co/d/g3OuP9h Until next time, carpe diem! Gabrielle All music by Lloyd Rodgers - No Copyright - No rights reserved | |||
| Zeno's Paradoxes | 24 Nov 2021 | 00:15:57 | |
Have you ever been in a moment in your life where you wished something would change, but it doesn't? Time passes by and nothing changes. In physics and mathematics, this is known as the Quantum Zeno Effect. If you want to read more about this effect, visit me at www.MathScienceHistory.com. To buy my book Hypatia: The Sum of Her Life on Amazon, visit https://a.co/d/g3OuP9h Until next time, carpe diem! Gabrielle All music by Lloyd Rodgers - No Copyright - No rights reserved | |||
| It's a decimal, not a period. | 30 Mar 2021 | 00:11:58 | |
The history of the decimal is fairly new! Before the decimal, mathematicians just listed either values or fractions. And the best part about the decimal is that it's nothing like a period. If you want to read more about the history of math and science, please visit me at www.MathScienceHistory.com. And while you're there, feel free to buy me a cup of coffee to support the podcast and the blog! To buy my book Hypatia: The Sum of Her Life on Amazon, visit https://a.co/d/g3OuP9h Until next time, carpe diem! Gabrielle All music is public domain. Little Prince by Lloyd Rodgers. www.LloydRodgers.com. No copyright - No rights reserved - Royalty Free - 1. The Little Prince - Gift of the Stars 2. Catastrophe of Meaning 3. On the Sensations of Tone - Urban Toys | |||
| Plato and Archytas | 11 Mar 2021 | 00:15:26 | |
Agree to disagree. This was the foundation of two ancient philosophers and friends, Archytas and Plato. Plato was a philosophical mathematician, and Archytas was a mechanical engineer. But, the friendship was strong enough to save Plato's life. If you want to read more about the history of math and science, please visit me at www.MathScienceHistory.com. And while you're there, feel free to buy me a cup of coffee to support the podcast and the blog! To buy my book Hypatia: The Sum of Her Life on Amazon, visit https://a.co/d/g3OuP9h Until next time, carpe diem! Gabrielle All music is public domain. Little Prince by Lloyd Rodgers. www.LloydRodgers.com. | |||
| The Crumplers | 24 Feb 2021 | 00:19:57 | |
This is my special tribute to Black History Month, to love, to African-American men and women, and to all of those who have worked tirelessly on the front lines fighting COVID. This story has remained hidden for over a century. It is one of the most awe-inspiring, heart-moving stories that I have researched in quite a while. For more Math, Science and History, please visit me at www.MathScienceHistory.com - and while you're there, help fund the podcast by clicking on the coffee button and donating to the podcast! To buy my book Hypatia: The Sum of Her Life on Amazon, visit https://a.co/d/g3OuP9h Until next time, carpe diem! Gabrielle Music by Lloyd Rodgers Cartesian Reunion Memorial Orchestra: the little prince-a ballet in two acts, Gifts of the Stars (Act II), On Things Invisible, On Questions of Discipline - Catastrophe of Meaning | |||
| International Day of Women and Girls In Science | 09 Feb 2021 | 00:14:25 | |
On February 11 the United Nations honors the International Day of Women and Girls in Science. Science and gender equality are essential for the development of science. This day is a reminder to us all that women deserve to be part of the world of science. For more history of about math and science, please come visit me at www.MathScienceHistory.com. And while you're there, feel free to buy me a cup of coffee to support the podcast and the blog! To buy my book Hypatia: The Sum of Her Life on Amazon, visit https://a.co/d/g3OuP9h Until next time, carpe diem! Gabrielle All Music by Lloyd Rodgers - Public Domain - http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Lloyd_Rodgers - http://lloydrodgers.com/ | |||
| Eponymy and the Sexagesimal Spiral | 26 Jan 2021 | 00:13:39 | |
Even though there is a Multiplication Map attributed to Tesla, I've taken liberties to call it Birchak's Sumerian Sexagesimal Spiral, because of eponymy. If none of this makes sense, it will once you listen to my latest podcast on eponymy. For more pictures and descriptions of the sexagesimal spiral, along with other stories about the history of math and science, please come visit me at www.MathScienceHistory.com. And while you're there, feel free to buy me a cup of coffee to support the podcast and the blog! To buy my book Hypatia: The Sum of Her Life on Amazon, visit https://a.co/d/g3OuP9h Until next time, carpe diem! Gabrielle All Music by Lloyd Rodgers - Public Domain - http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Lloyd_Rodgers - http://lloydrodgers.com/ | |||
| FLASHCARDS! Tourism: When History and Star Trek Intertwine | 15 Aug 2025 | 00:09:52 | |
In this episode of Math! Science! History!, we explore the ethics of exploration through three lenses: the protests over modern overtourism, the historical insights of early scientific explorers, and the fictional moral compass of Star Trek's Prime Directive. From 18th-century expeditions to the 23rd-century starship Enterprise, we examine how curiosity, respect, and humility can guide how we move through the world, whether on cobblestone streets or alien worlds. Three Things Listeners Will Learn The origins and real-world inspiration behind Star Trek's Prime Directive. How early scientific explorers approached discovery with respect for cultures and environments. Practical ways to travel ethically in an age of overtourism. Links to Resources Louvre Museum staff strike over overcrowding: Louvre shut down by spontaneous staff strike over 'untenable' working conditions Venice overtourism measures: Venice Doubles Last-Minute 'Tourist Tax' , Other Cities Watch Closely - Business Insider Star Trek "The Return of the Archons" episode summary: The Return of the Archons (episode) | Memory Alpha | Fandom Star Trek Prime Directive overview: https://memory-alpha.fandom.com/wiki/Prime_Directive Explore more on our website: mathsciencehistory.com 🎧 Enjoying the Podcast? ☕ Support the Show: Coffee!! PayPal 🌟 Leave a review! It helps more people discover the show! 🌍 Let's Connect! 🎵 Music: All music is public domain and has no Copyright and no rights reserved. Until next time, carpe diem! | |||
| REPOST: Episode 15 Hypatia of Alexandria | 12 Jan 2021 | 00:14:33 | |
This is a reposted podcast about Hypatia. The story of Hypatia of Alexandria is almost 2,000 years old. She was one of our earliest female mathematicians, astronomers, philosophers, and professors. But above all of that, she was loved by Alexandria! So why was she murdered?! The answer is in the podcast! If you are interested in reading more about the history of math and science, please visit me on my blog at www.MathScienceHistory.com ! Thank you for listening! Until next week, carpe diem! Gabrielle All Music by Lloyd Rodgers - Public Domain - http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Lloyd_Rodgers - http://lloydrodgers.com/ | |||
| The 2020 Math Science History Holiday Puzzle! | 22 Dec 2020 | 00:15:23 | |
The annual 2020 Math Science History Holiday Puzzle is UP!! This year the first person to respond with the correct answer receives a $25 Amazon gift card! The details are in the podcast and at MathScienceHistory.com. Thank you for a wonderful year! Until 2021, carpe diem! To buy my book Hypatia: The Sum of Her Life on Amazon, visit https://a.co/d/g3OuP9h All music is public domain. Little Prince by Lloyd Rodgers. www.LloydRodgers.com. We Wish You a Merry Christmas by the U.S. Naval Academy. Ambient 03 by Sscheidl at Pixabay. A Journey Beyond by Christian Bodhi. | |||
| Nikola Tesla | 08 Dec 2020 | 00:12:02 | |
If there is one word to describe Nikola Tesla, it would be brilliant! His inventions, ideas, and patents changed the world. One of his greatest inventions, the AC power motor, enabled us with the ability to power our homes with electricity. For more pictures and descriptions of Tesla's AC motor, along with other stories about the history of math and science, please come visit me at www.MathScienceHistory.com. And while you're there, feel free to buy me a cup of coffee to support the podcast and the blog! To buy my book Hypatia: The Sum of Her Life on Amazon, visit https://a.co/d/g3OuP9h Until next time, carpe diem! Gabrielle Creative Commons Royalty Free Music - The Little Prince by Lloyd Rogers | |||
| Misconceptions in Math | 25 Nov 2020 | 00:17:25 | |
No, Napoleon Bonaparte was not short. This historical misconception is often cited as fact. In math there are many misconceptions like boys are smarter at math than girls. But, that is not true! The details are all in the podcast! For more information about some of these celebrities, including their works in science, please visit me at www.MathScienceHistory.com. And while you're there, feel free to buy me a cup of coffee to support the podcast and the blog! To buy my book Hypatia: The Sum of Her Life on Amazon, visit https://a.co/d/g3OuP9h Until next time, carpe diem! Gabrielle Creative Commons Royalty Free Music - The Little Prince by Lloyd Rogers - A Journey Beyond by Christian Bodhi on Pixabay | |||
| The Brains Behind the Talent | 11 Nov 2020 | 00:13:25 | |
Some celebrities are tremendous actors and musicians, and some actors and musicians are also tremendous scientists and mathematicians. Who are these brainiacs?! You might be surprised! For more information about some of these celebrities, including their works in science, please visit me at www.MathScienceHistory.com. And while you're there, feel free to buy me a cup of coffee to support the podcast and the blog! To buy my book Hypatia: The Sum of Her Life on Amazon, visit https://a.co/d/g3OuP9h Until next time, carpe diem! Gabrielle All music is public domain. Little Prince by Lloyd Rodgers. www.LloydRodgers.com. | |||
| The Power of Play | 27 Oct 2020 | 00:13:39 | |
The toys of the industrial revolution have contributed a great deal to science. This is no accident. Sometimes our greatest moments of discovery happen when our minds are curious and at play. If you want to read more about the history of math and science, please visit me at www.MathScienceHistory.com. And while you're there, feel free to buy me a cup of coffee to support the podcast and the blog! Until next time, carpe diem! Gabrielle All music is public domain. Little Prince by Lloyd Rodgers. www.LloydRodgers.com. | |||
| Full Steam Ahead | 13 Oct 2020 | 00:13:31 | |
Today, some of our fastest electric hypercars produce almost 2,000 horsepower. But what does horsepower mean? And what do sports cars have to do with the industrial revolution? It's all in the podcast Math! Science! History! If you want to read more about the history of math and science, please visit me at www.MathScienceHistory.com. And while you're there, feel free to buy me a cup of coffee to support the podcast and the blog! To buy my book Hypatia: The Sum of Her Life on Amazon, visit https://a.co/d/g3OuP9h Until next time, carpe diem! Gabrielle All music is public domain. Little Prince by Lloyd Rodgers. www.LloydRodgers.com. | |||
| Pascal's Higher Power | 26 Sep 2020 | 00:10:07 | |
Pascal's triangle is a triangular pattern of binomial coefficients. If that makes no sense, in real life, you can use Pascal's triangle to figure out combinations of things, like pizza! The incredible story of Blaise Pascal is all in the podcast! If you want to read more about Pascal's triangle as well as the history of math and science, please visit me at www.MathScienceHistory.com. And while you're there, feel free to buy me a cup of coffee to support the podcast and the blog! To buy my book Hypatia: The Sum of Her Life on Amazon, visit https://a.co/d/g3OuP9h Until next time, carpe diem! Gabrielle All music is public domain. Little Prince by Lloyd Rodgers. www.LloydRodgers.com. | |||
| Imaginary Numbers | 20 Aug 2020 | 00:12:47 | |
Imaginary boyfriends are nice. But imaginary numbers are better! Where did they come from? And who decided to name them imaginary? The answers are all in the podcast! If you want to read more about the history of math and science, visit me at www.MathScienceHistory.com. And while you're there, feel free to buy me a cup of coffee to support the podcast and the blog! To buy my book Hypatia: The Sum of Her Life on Amazon, visit https://a.co/d/g3OuP9h Until next time, carpe diem! Gabrielle All music is public domain. Little Prince by Lloyd Rodgers. www.LloydRodgers.com. | |||
| Infinity | 06 Aug 2020 | 00:15:23 | |
Albert Einstein once said, "Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe." This leads me to wonder many things: One, will we ever evolve into intelligent beings? Two, is the universe really infinite? And three, what is infinity? Visit me at www.MathScienceHistory.com ! And while you're there, please feel free to buy me a cup of coffee! To purchase Hypatia: The Sum of Her Life, visit https://a.co/d/eU41Uun Thank you for listening! Until next week, carpe diem! Gabrielle Music is public domain. Little Prince by Lloyd Rodgers. www.LloydRodgers.com | |||
| REPOST: Quantum Computing & Brahmagupta: From Zero to Qubits | 12 Aug 2025 | 00:12:27 | |
This episode bridges the ancient and the cutting-edge, tracing the legacy of 7th-century mathematician Brahmagupta, who formalized the concept of zero, to today's quantum computing revolution. We explore how his foundational work in numerical systems underpins binary logic and, ultimately, the qubits powering modern quantum processors like Microsoft's Majorana 1 and Google's Willow. From historical insight to the promise of quantum-driven solutions for climate change, medicine, and cybersecurity, this episode is a testament to how human innovation builds across centuries. The key points include How Brahmagupta's introduction of zero and rules for numbers shaped the foundation of binary and quantum logic. The latest breakthroughs in quantum computing, including Microsoft's Majorana 1 and Google's Willow processor. Why quantum computing could transform fields from medicine and climate modeling to global logistics and encryption. 🏛 Links & Resources:· Microsoft unveils Majorana 1 chip · Google's Willow Processor Overview 🌍 Let's Connect! Website: mathsciencehistory.com If you love Math, Science, History, here's how you can help: ☕ Support the Show: Coffee!! PayPal 🛍 Checking out our merch: https://www.mathsciencehistory.com/the-store 🎵 Music: All music is public domain and has no Copyright and no rights reserved. Until next time, carpe diem!! | |||
| Quantum Computers and Brahmagupta | 23 Jul 2020 | 00:12:17 | |
Just recently the National Science Foundation awarded UC Berkeley $25 million to create a multi-university institute to create quantum computers. This will take math to a whole new level, much like Brahmagupta did in 628 CE! If you want to see more details about Brahmagupta's math, as well as other posts about the history of math and science, Visit me at www.MathScienceHistory.com ! And while you're there, please feel free to buy me a cup of coffee! To purchase Hypatia: The Sum of Her Life, visit https://a.co/d/eU41Uun Thank you for listening! Until next week, carpe diem! Gabrielle Music is public domain. Little Prince by Lloyd Rodgers. www.LloydRodgers.com | |||
| The Power of Statistics | 15 Jul 2020 | 00:16:13 | |
Statistics are awesome! If you know the data, stats can get you out of any argument. The history of statistics goes back over 5,000 years. And get this, one of the most prominent statisticians was not an academic mathematician. And all the details are in the podcast! If you are interested in learning more about the history of math and science, please visit me at www.MathScienceHistory.com ! And while you're there, please feel free to buy me a cup of coffee, because every cup of coffee keeps my podcast up and running! To buy my book Hypatia: The Sum of Her Life on Amazon, visit https://a.co/d/g3OuP9h Until next week, Carpe Diem!! Gabrielle All music is public domain. Little Prince by Lloyd Rodgers. www.LloydRodgers.com. | |||
| Beer | 01 Jul 2020 | 00:13:30 | |
| Percy Julian | 18 Jun 2020 | 00:13:37 | |
Despite his multiple honorary doctorates and being named Chicagoan of the Year, Chemist Dr. Percy Julian found himself up a tree with a shotgun, defending his family and his house. How and why did such a prominent individual have to resort to such measures to protect all that he worked for? The details are all in the podcast! Visit me at www.MathScienceHistory.com ! And while you're there, please feel free to buy me a cup of coffee! To purchase Hypatia: The Sum of Her Life, visit https://a.co/d/eU41Uun Thank you for listening! Until next week, carpe diem! Gabrielle Music is public domain. Little Prince by Lloyd Rodgers. www.LloydRodgers.com
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| Thomas Fuller | 05 Jun 2020 | 00:13:26 | |
Thomas Fuller. He was born in 1710 in Africa. He was known as the Virginia calculator. Benjamin Rush wanted to see slavery abolished. He believed that Fuller was the perfect individual to make his case. The details are all in the podcast! Visit me at www.MathScienceHistory.com ! And while you're there, please feel free to buy me a cup of coffee! To purchase Hypatia: The Sum of Her Life, visit https://a.co/d/eU41Uun Thank you for listening! Until next week, carpe diem! Gabrielle Music is public domain. Little Prince by Lloyd Rodgers. www.LloydRodgers.com | |||
| Cryptography Cryptic History | 17 May 2020 | 00:11:12 | |
Cryptography has evolved in such a distinctive way that we can now use it for cryptocurrency, authentication, privacy, and to deter recent advancements in quantum code-breaking. The details are all in the podcast! Visit me at www.MathScienceHistory.com ! And while you're there, please feel free to buy me a cup of coffee! To purchase Hypatia: The Sum of Her Life, visit https://a.co/d/eU41Uun Thank you for listening! Until next week, carpe diem! Gabrielle Music is public domain. Little Prince by Lloyd Rodgers. www.LloydRodgers.com | |||
| Halley's Comet | 04 May 2020 | 00:09:38 | |
There was that time on May 6, 1910, when a red ball of light approached our Earth's sky as King Edward the seventh suffered a series of heart attacks and died. However, in that same month, as the ball grew brighter and approached closer to our planet, on May 19, 1910, Oliver Wendell Holmes and his wife Fanny went to a Naval Observatory on Massachusetts Avenue to observe this ball of light. They ended up partying until 2:00 A.M., and then…. The details are all in the podcast! Visit me at www.MathScienceHistory.com ! And while you're there, please feel free to buy me a cup of coffee! To purchase Hypatia: The Sum of Her Life, visit https://a.co/d/eU41Uun Thank you for listening! Until next week, carpe diem! Gabrielle Music is public domain. Little Prince by Lloyd Rodgers. www.LloydRodgers.com
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| Shave and a Haircut | 26 Apr 2020 | 00:06:23 | |
How does one get a haircut during a pandemic? It's almost as puzzling as Georg Cantor's Barber Puzzle! If you are interested in reading more about the set theory behind the Barber Puzzle, please visit me at www.MathScienceHistory.com ! And while you're there, please feel free to buy me a cup of coffee, because every cup of coffee keeps my podcast up and running! To purchase Hypatia: The Sum of Her Life, visit https://a.co/d/eU41Uun Until next week, Carpe Diem!! Gabrielle All music is public domain. Little Prince by Lloyd Rodgers. www.LloydRodgers.com | |||
| Happy Earth Day | 21 Apr 2020 | 00:13:36 | |
What do one brilliant woman, one Democratic Senator and one Republican Congressman have to do with the very first Earth Day? The details are all in the podcast! Visit me at www.MathScienceHistory.com ! And while you're there, please feel free to buy me a cup of coffee! To purchase Hypatia: The Sum of Her Life, visit https://a.co/d/eU41Uun Thank you for listening! Until next week, carpe diem! Gabrielle Music is public domain. Little Prince by Lloyd Rodgers. www.LloydRodgers.com | |||
| The History of Microscopes | 13 Apr 2020 | 00:16:39 | |
On April 13, 1625, Galileo's friend Giovanni Faber, wrote a letter to Prince Federico Angelo Cesi about this fascinating tool that could magnify small items. He referred to it as the "microscope" that is derived from the Greek words micron, which means small, and skopein, which means to look at. The details are all in the podcast! Visit me at www.MathScienceHistory.com ! And while you're there, please feel free to buy me a cup of coffee! To purchase Hypatia: The Sum of Her Life, visit https://a.co/d/eU41Uun Thank you for listening! Until next week, carpe diem! Gabrielle Music is public domain. Little Prince by Lloyd Rodgers. www.LloydRodgers.com | |||
| FLASHCARDS! Brunelleschi to Beams: Construction Sounds Thru Time | 08 Aug 2025 | 00:09:57 | |
Construction noise outside Gabrielle's studio becomes the perfect backdrop to this week's Flashcard Friday episode. From ancient geometry and Pythagorean ropes to Brunelleschi's Renaissance dome and today's AI-assisted architecture, this episode explores how math and science have always been at the heart of building human civilization. Whether it's the silent symmetry of Islamic domes or the loud clatter of skyscrapers rising, construction is the sound of applied mathematics — past and present. Three take-aways:
Explore more on our website: mathsciencehistory.com Let's Connect! If you love Math, Science, History, here's how you can help: ☕ Support the Show: Coffee!! PayPal Check out our merch: https://www.mathsciencehistory.com/the-store 🎵 Music: All music is public domain and has no Copyright and no rights reserved. | |||
| Charles Drew and his Blood Mobiles | 05 Apr 2020 | 00:12:01 | |
Even after Dr. Charles Drew's passing, his name lived on. His home was designated as a National Historic Landmark. The United States Postal Service honored him, schools have been named after him, and a United States Navy ship has been named after him. Also, in 2002, he was listed as one of the 100 greatest African Americans. The details are all in the podcast! Visit me at www.MathScienceHistory.com ! And while you're there, please feel free to buy me a cup of coffee! To purchase Hypatia: The Sum of Her Life, visit https://a.co/d/eU41Uun Thank you for listening! Until next week, carpe diem! Gabrielle Music is public domain. Little Prince by Lloyd Rodgers. www.LloydRodgers.com | |||
| REPOST: Chaos Theory | 30 Mar 2020 | 00:11:32 | |
What is most mathematically wonderful about Chaos Theory is the reminder that we can find ordered structures in the chaos that surrounds us. These structures are actually the mathematical tools that we use to find order. If you are interested in reading more about the history of math and science, please visit my website, https://www.mathsciencehistory.com - and while you are there, please feel free to click on that coffee button and buy me a cup of coffee! Until next time, carpe diem! Gabrielle Music is public domain. Little Prince by Lloyd Rodgers. www.LloydRodgers.com | |||
| Emmy Noether | 22 Mar 2020 | 00:13:44 | |
Emmy Noether was born on March 23, 1882. In her lifetime, she changed the landscape of algebra and physics. Einstein referred to her as a significant creative mathematical genius! Her mathematics and the story of her life are astounding! If you are interested in learning more about Noether's Theorem, I have videos on my Website at www.MathScienceHistory.com ! So please, visit me! And while you're there, please feel free to buy me a cup of coffee! To purchase Hypatia: The Sum of Her Life, visit https://a.co/d/eU41Uun Thank you for listening! Until next week, carpe diem! Gabrielle Music is public domain. Little Prince by Lloyd Rodgers. www.LloydRodgers.com | |||
| Scientist: Have You Heard About the Word? | 10 Mar 2020 | 00:14:52 | |
In 1834 the scientist William Whewell proposed a term that would combine the activities of physicists, chemists, philosophers, philologists, and mathematicians. That word was Scientist! But, there was push back and entertaining infighting in Britain about the absurdity of the word and it's all in the podcast! If you are interested in reading more about the word scientist, I have links on my Website at www.MathScienceHistory.com ! So please, visit me! And while you're there, please feel free to buy me a cup of coffee! To purchase Hypatia: The Sum of Her Life, visit https://a.co/d/eU41Uun Thank you for listening! Until next week, carpe diem! Gabrielle Music is public domain. Little Prince by Lloyd Rodgers. www.LloydRodgers.com | |||
| Leap Year, Caesar's propaganda, and a new calendar | 27 Feb 2020 | 00:14:23 | |
This year, February 28 is not the last day of the month! Happy Leap Year! If you aren't familiar with the origins of Leap Year, have I got a story for you!! I also explain how Leap Year is organized! If you are interested in reading stories about the history of math and science, please feel free to visit me at my blog at www.MathScienceHistory.com ! To purchase Hypatia: The Sum of Her Life, visit https://a.co/d/eU41Uun Thank you so much for listening! Until next week, carpe diem! Gabrielle Birchak Music is public domain. Little Prince by Lloyd Rodgers. www.LloydRodgers.com | |||
| Angie Turner King | 16 Feb 2020 | 00:09:06 | |
It's Black History Month! Dr. Angie Turner King left a huge legacy in the world of black academia in STEM. She didn't just forge a path, she built a highway for African Americans in STEM. Her legacy includes Katherine Johnson and Jasper Brown, just to name a couple. She was voted as a favorite professor and she helped to change the landscape of academic diversity. If you are interested in reading more about the history of math and science, please visit me on my blog at www.MathScienceHistory.com ! To buy my book Hypatia: The Sum of Her Life on Amazon, visit https://a.co/d/g3OuP9h Thank you for listening! Until next week, carpe diem! Gabrielle Music is public domain. Little Prince by Lloyd Rodgers. www.LloydRodgers.com | |||
| Shirley Ann Jackson | 09 Feb 2020 | 00:10:35 | |
It's Black History Month! This week, I talk about Dr. Shirley Ann Jackson. She is America's first black, female physicist to earn her doctorate. This month I am honoring the black, noble goddesses in STEM who inspire, motivate, and forge paths for those who have been marginalized. Each week I talk about one of my favorite sheroes who succeeded despite our structural racism and antiquated gender bias. If you are interested in reading more about the history of math and science, please visit me on my blog at www.MathScienceHistory.com ! To buy my book Hypatia: The Sum of Her Life on Amazon, visit https://a.co/d/g3OuP9h Thank you for listening! Until next week, carpe diem! Gabrielle Music is public domain. Little Prince by Lloyd Rodgers. www.LloydRodgers.com | |||
| Roger Arliner Young | 03 Feb 2020 | 00:15:06 | |
It's Black History Month! This week, I introduce Dr. Roger Arliner Young. She was America's first black, female zoologist to get her doctorate. This month I'll be honoring the black, noble goddesses in STEM who inspire, motivate, and forge paths for those who have been marginalized. Each week I'll talk about one of my favorite sheroes who succeeded despite our structural racism and antiquated gender bias. If you are interested in reading more about the history of math and science, please visit me on my blog at www.MathScienceHistory.com ! To buy my book Hypatia: The Sum of Her Life on Amazon, visit https://a.co/d/g3OuP9h Thank you for listening! Until next week, carpe diem! Gabrielle Music is public domain. Little Prince by Lloyd Rodgers. www.LloydRodgers.com | |||
| Science, Literature, and Logic | 26 Jan 2020 | 00:11:03 | |
January 27 marks the 188th anniversary of Lewis Carrol's birthday. Many people know him as the author of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. Many don't know that he was also a mathematician, who wove logic into his story. If you are interested in seeing diagrams and an explanation of the logic that he used in the Mad Hatter Tea Party dialogue, or are interested in reading literature by scientists and mathematicians, www.MathScienceHistory.com ! To buy my book Hypatia: The Sum of Her Life on Amazon, visit https://a.co/d/g3OuP9h Thank you for listening! Until next week, carpe diem! Gabrielle Music is public domain. Little Prince by Lloyd Rodgers. www.LloydRodgers.com | |||
| Physics of the Flip Flap Rollercoaster | 19 Jan 2020 | 00:09:52 | |
In the 19th century, rollercoasters were new and exciting. Sometimes too exciting. Like, a 12 G-force, break your neck exciting! How was this even possible in 1895?! If you are interested in reading more about the physics and math of these early rollercoasters, or are interested in learning more about the history of math and science, please visit me at www.MathScienceHistory.com ! To buy my book Hypatia: The Sum of Her Life on Amazon, visit https://a.co/d/g3OuP9h Thank you for listening! Until next week, carpe diem! Gabrielle Music is public domain. Little Prince by Lloyd Rodgers. www.LloydRodgers.com | |||
| REPOST: How "Scientist" Became a Word | 05 Aug 2025 | 00:14:35 | |
In this episode of Math! Science! History!, Gabrielle explores the unexpected origin story of the word scientist. It all started with Mary Somerville's 1834 book On the Connexion of the Physical Sciences, which sparked a humorous yet historic review by William Whewell. From ridicule to resistance, the term evolved amid fierce linguistic debate, public mockery, and eventual global adoption. Discover how one word came to define a profession, and why that battle still matters today. Key topics:
Ross, Sydney. "Scientist: The Story of a Word." Annals of Science, Vol. 18, No. 2, June 1964. Mary Somerville, On the Connexion of the Physical Sciences (1834). On the Connexion of the Physical Sciences by Mary Somerville | Project Gutenberg William Whewell, The Philosophy of the Inductive Sciences (1840) 🌍 Let's Connect! Website: mathsciencehistory.com 🎧 Enjoying the Podcast? If you love Math, Science, History, here's how you can help: ☕ Support the Show If you'd like to support Math, Science, History, consider: 🎙 Sponsored By: Coffee!! https://shorturl.at/bHIsc 🎵 Music: All music is public domain and has no Copyright and no rights reserved. Until next time, carpe diem! | |||
| Hypatia of Alexandria | 11 Jan 2020 | 00:13:59 | |
The story about Hypatia of Alexandria is almost 2,000 years old. She was one of our earliest female mathematicians, astronomers, philosophers, and professors. But above all of that, she was loved by Alexandria! So why was she murdered?! The answer is in the podcast! If you are interested in reading more about the history of math and science, please visit me on my blog at www.MathScienceHistory.com ! To buy my book Hypatia: The Sum of Her Life on Amazon, visit https://a.co/d/g3OuP9h Thank you for listening! Until next week, carpe diem! Gabrielle Music is public domain. Little Prince by Lloyd Rodgers. www.LloydRodgers.com | |||
| The Roaring 20s | 30 Dec 2019 | 00:16:55 | |
The 2020s are upon us!! One hundred years ago, the 1920s produced a wealth of technology and discoveries! But, did you know that the other 20s since the first century brought us some amazing math, science, and technology?! If you are interested in reading more about the history of math and science, please visit me on my blog at www.MathScienceHistory.com ! To purchase Hypatia: The Sum of Her Life, visit https://a.co/d/eU41Uun Thank you for listening! Until next week, carpe diem! Gabrielle Music is public domain. Little Prince by Lloyd Rodgers. www.LloydRodgers.com | |||
| Eccentric Scientists Holiday Party On! | 17 Dec 2019 | 00:10:45 | |
The holidays are upon us! What better way to celebrate than sharing a fun logic puzzle about five weird scientists and their holiday celebration. For the sake of the puzzle, let us just assume that these scientists are neighbors, and all exist in the same era. They include William Buckland, Tycho Brahe, Ilya Ivanovich Ivanov, Stubbins Ffirth, and Pythagoras. I will post my answers next week on my blog at MathScienceHistory.com - Play along!! To purchase Hypatia: The Sum of Her Life, visit https://a.co/d/eU41Uun Carpe diem! Gabrielle Music is public domain. Little Prince by Lloyd Rodgers. www.LloydRodgers.com | |||