99% Invisible

Roman Mars

Design is everywhere in our lives, perhaps most importantly in the places where we've just stopped noticing. 99% Invisible is a weekly exploration of the process and power of design and architecture. From award winning producer Roman Mars. Learn more at 99percentinvisible.org.

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813 episodes
Updated Friday

Episodes813

Newest first

100 Objects #1: The Century Safe
A locked iron safe, sealed for 100 years. What objects did Americans choose to remember?
May 19 · 30 min
Ask Your Doctor About
As wild and random as they might seem, a lot of work—and even poetry—goes into coming up with today's catchiest, most unforgettable drug names.
May 12 · 32 min
A History of the United States in 100 Objects Trailer
100 objects. 100 stories. A new history of the US hiding in plain sight.
May 8 · 3 min
Enshittification
Why is it suddenly so hard to fix the stuff we depend on most?
May 5 · 35 min
Citizen of the World
One man rejected nationality and dared the world to recognize him anyway.
April 28 · 40 min
Constitution Breakdown #9: Alondra Nelson
Roman and Elizabeth discuss Article VI and VII, which includes the all-important Supremacy Clause. Alondra Nelson, a leading expert on AI, is our guest.
April 24 · 1 hr 5 min
Co-op City
The world’s largest housing co-op—built to save New York City’s middle class—became the unlikely site of a resident revolt
April 21 · 37 min
RoboUmp Hits the Big Leagues
The surprisingly long history of trying to use robots to call balls and strikes in baseball. With an update!
April 14 · 31 min
Service Request #5: Dude, Where's My Car?
A missing car reveals the confusing rules, murky fees, and private actors behind modern towing.
April 7 · 32 min
Service Request #4: How Does the Grid in Phoenix Work?
In a place where losing power can turn deadly, keeping the lights on is a high-stakes balancing act.
April 3 · 33 min
Service Request #3: Why Is There So Much Litter in San Francisco?
Why did it take nearly a decade to redesign a city trash can, and why haven't more bins made the streets cleaner?
March 31 · 28 min
Constitution Breakdown #8: Jill Lepore
Roman and Elizabeth discuss Article V, which lays out the process to amend the Constitution. Jill Lepore is our guest.
March 27 · 1 hr 6 min
Service Request #2: Why Is This Red Light So Damn Long?
What the world's most advanced traffic system can—and can't—do for the city that invented gridlock.
March 24 · 28 min
Service Request #1: What Happens When I Call 311?
The surprising power of a simple phone number to connect a community.
March 17 · 34 min
A Man, a Plan, a Canal—Mars!
How one wealthy, amateur astronomer convinced the world Martians were real.
March 10 · 32 min
Where the F*** Are We?
For centuries, the world's greatest minds were stumped by the deadly mystery of longitude, until an obsessive underdog entered the fray and changed navigation forever.
March 3 · 47 min
Constitution Breakdown #7: California AG Rob Bonta
Roman and Elizabeth discuss Article IV, which outlines the relationship between states and between states and the federal government. California Attorney General Rob Bonta is our guest this month.
February 27 · 1 hr 17 min
The Longest Fence in the World
How a fence meant to protect sheep transformed the entire Australian landscape.
February 24 · 31 min
Molar City
How a small Mexican border town transformed itself into the dental tourism capital of the world, where dental care costs up to 80% less than what it might cost in the United States.
February 17 · 41 min
Artistic License Redux
When Idaho put a slogan on their license plates in 1928 it started a trend across all states and this would prove surprisingly contentious.
February 10 · 33 min

99% Invisible

100 Objects #1: The Century Safe

Ask Your Doctor About

A History of the United States in 100 Objects Trailer

Enshittification

Citizen of the World

Constitution Breakdown #9: Alondra Nelson

Co-op City

RoboUmp Hits the Big Leagues

Service Request #5: Dude, Where's My Car?

Service Request #4: How Does the Grid in Phoenix Work?

Service Request #3: Why Is There So Much Litter in San Francisco?

Constitution Breakdown #8: Jill Lepore

Service Request #2: Why Is This Red Light So Damn Long?

Service Request #1: What Happens When I Call 311?

A Man, a Plan, a Canal—Mars!

Where the F*** Are We?

Constitution Breakdown #7: California AG Rob Bonta

The Longest Fence in the World

Molar City

Artistic License Redux