Episodes

  • The Gowanus Canal: From Vital Waterway to Urban Wasteland

    The Gowanus Canal: From Vital Waterway to Urban Wasteland
    Aug 24 2025
    Once a thriving industrial hub in Brooklyn, the Gowanus Canal played a key role in New York City's development but suffered severe pollution from unchecked industrial waste. Declared a Superfund site in 2010, the canal is infamous for its toxic 'black mayonnaise' and high pathogen levels. Despite ongoing cleanup and revitalization efforts, it remains one of the most polluted urban waterways in America, symbolizing both environmental neglect and hope for renewal.

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    13 mins
  • The Rise and Fall of America's Drive-In Theaters

    The Rise and Fall of America's Drive-In Theaters
    Aug 17 2025
    Drive-in theaters, iconic symbols of mid-20th-century Americana, emerged in the 1930s and flourished in the 1950s as family-friendly venues. Changing social trends, competition from indoor theaters, economic pressures, and home entertainment led to their decline by the 1980s. Some sites became flea markets or stores, but a cult revival and the COVID-19 pandemic sparked renewed interest. Today, fewer than 550 remain, with most lost to time or redevelopment.

    Join us on Apple Podcasts or Patreon to access additional resources and explore all topics covered by the National Media Archive:

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    11 mins
  • The Mystery of the Newark Bay Train Disaster

    The Mystery of the Newark Bay Train Disaster
    Aug 10 2025
    On a September morning in 1958, commuter train 3314 plunged into Newark Bay after the engineer ignored open drawbridge signals, killing 48 of 100 passengers. Despite working safety systems, the cause remains unclear—possible engineer incapacitation and missing dead man's switch were key factors. The tragedy prompted investigations and led to new safety regulations, but questions about why no one stopped the train persist to this day.

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    13 mins
  • The St. Francis Dam Disaster: Engineering Failure Unleashed

    The St. Francis Dam Disaster: Engineering Failure Unleashed
    Aug 3 2025
    In 1928, California's St. Francis Dam—once a symbol of engineering prowess—catastrophically collapsed, unleashing a deadly flood that devastated communities and claimed hundreds of lives. Driven by Los Angeles' urgent water needs, the dam was hastily built atop unstable ground. Investigations later blamed flawed design and a weak foundation, forever changing dam safety standards and tarnishing chief engineer William Mulholland’s legacy.

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    13 mins
  • The Pulaski Skyway: Engineering Marvel and Mystery

    The Pulaski Skyway: Engineering Marvel and Mystery
    Jul 27 2025
    The Pulaski Skyway, an iconic steel bridge connecting Newark and Jersey City, overcame daunting engineering and political challenges to become a vital commuter route. Known for its perilous 'suicide lane,' the Skyway gained a shadowy reputation, becoming linked to crime legends—including the disappearance of Teamsters leader Jimmy Hoffa, rumored to be buried beneath it, though FBI searches found no evidence.

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    13 mins
  • The Rise, Fall, and Revival of the Blue Ridge Tunnel

    The Rise, Fall, and Revival of the Blue Ridge Tunnel
    Jul 20 2025
    The Blue Ridge Tunnel, once the world's longest railroad tunnel, was a 19th-century engineering marvel that conquered Virginia's Appalachian mountains. Built with the labor of Irish immigrants and enslaved Africans, it helped spark regional growth but was abandoned by mid-20th century. Recently restored, it now welcomes thousands as a unique hiking destination, blending history, engineering, and the story of those who built it.

    Join us on Apple Podcasts or Patreon to access additional resources and explore all topics covered by the National Media Archive:

    • Power & Influence
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    13 mins