Apr 10, 2022 – US Urban Electrification and Streetcars – Arsenal For Democracy Ep. 421

Bill and Rachel continue the story of US electrification with a look at the indelible role of electric streetcars in powering US cities almost overnight in the 1890s.

Links and notes for ep. 421 (PDF): http://arsenalfordemocracy.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/AFD-Ep-421-Links-and-Notes-US-Urban-Electrification-and-Streetcars-Bill_Rachel-Recording-Apr-10-2022.pdf

Theme music by Stunt Bird.

Apr 3, 2022 – From Electrochemistry to Electromagnetism – Arsenal For Democracy Ep. 420

Bill and Rachel finally start looking at the history of US electrification beginning with the early little battery systems and then moving into early electromagnetic dynamos.

Links and notes for ep. 420 (PDF): http://arsenalfordemocracy.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/AFD-Ep-420-Links-and-Notes-From-Electrochemistry-to-Electromagnetism.pdf

Theme music by Stunt Bird.

Mar 28, 2022 – Synthetic Dye – Arsenal For Democracy Ep. 419

Bill and Rachel discuss the invention and economic legacy (and environmental consequences) of synthetic dye.

Links and notes for ep. 419 (PDF): http://arsenalfordemocracy.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/AFD-Ep-419-Links-and-Notes-Synthetic-Dyes.pdf

Theme music by Stunt Bird.

Mar 20, 2022 – The Start of Biotech – Arsenal For Democracy Ep. 418

Biotechnology has been important to other US industries from the auto industry to medicine and agriculture, before eventually becoming its own industry, dominated by venture capitalists. Bill and Rachel.

Links and notes for ep. 418 (PDF): http://arsenalfordemocracy.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/AFD-Ep-418-Links-and-Notes-Fermentation-Biotechnology-and-Penicillin.pdf

Theme music by Stunt Bird.

Mar 15, 2022 – Westinghouse Air Brakes – Arsenal For Democracy Ep. 417

Bill and Rachel discuss a specific air brake technology from 1872 that eventually had profound effects on the US economy and rail labor safety, especially after a Progressive Era bill mandated it.

Links and notes for ep. 417 (PDF): http://arsenalfordemocracy.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/AFD-Ep-417-Links-and-Notes-Westinghouse-Air-Brakes.pdf

Theme music by Stunt Bird.

[Unlocked] Mar 9, 2021 – Early Air Conditioning – Arsenal For Democracy Ep. 357

Unlocked from our Patreon: Air conditioning began as a process for controlling humidity in industrial factory processes before it became about cooler human comforts. But it was also a key part of the military-industrial complex. Bill and Rachel.

Links and notes for Ep. 357 (PDF): http://arsenalfordemocracy.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/AFD-Ep-357-Links-and-Notes-Early-Air-Conditioning.pdf

Theme music by Stunt Bird.

Feb 27, 2022 – Industrial Cheeses – Arsenal For Democracy Ep. 416

Rachel and Bill discuss the history of US industrial cheese production from cream cheese and Kraft American cheese to US Government Cheese in the 1980s.

Links and notes for Ep. 416 (PDF): http://arsenalfordemocracy.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/AFD-Ep-416-Links-and-Notes-Industrial-Cheeses.pdf

Theme music by Stunt Bird.