The Engines of Our Ingenuity

Short essays on the people and machines behind modern life, founded by John Lienhard at the University of Houston and broadcast since 1988. Each episode lasts about three and a half minutes and the archive runs to thousands, so this is a show to sample rather than complete. The quiet, reflective tone suits listeners who like ideas more than drama. New episodes were still arriving in November 2026, and the programme's website keeps illustrated transcripts, handy when an episode sends you looking for the pictures.