https://simplecast.com Rational Thinker is a podcast dedicated to exploring the rich and often surprising history of science — the discoveries, the debates, and the remarkable individuals whose curiosity and perseverance transformed our understanding of the world. From the revolutionary insights of the Scientific Revolution to the groundbreaking breakthroughs of the modern era, each episode examines the human stories behind the ideas that shaped civilization. I invite my listeners to look beyond the textbook and engage with science not merely as a collection of facts, but as an evolving, deeply human pursuit of truth. Whether you are a lifelong student of history, a science enthusiast, or simply someone who wonders how we came to know what we know, this podcast offers thoughtful, well-researched narratives that illuminate the minds and moments that moved science forward. 2017-2026 Rational Thinker en Thu, 28 May 2026 23:00:00 +0000 Fri, 29 May 2026 09:19:34 +0000 https://rational-thinker.simplecast.com https://image.simplecastcdn.com/images/4a235888-7ec9-438b-bb13-a3e9358b7f94/b3763445-8556-40c7-aa88-1b0a514d2c3e/3000x3000/rational_thinker_pfp.jpg?aid=rss_feed https://rational-thinker.simplecast.com episodic Rational Thinker is a podcast dedicated to exploring the rich and often surprising history of science — the discoveries, the debates, and the remarkable individuals whose curiosity and perseverance transformed our understanding of the world. From the revolutionary insights of the Scientific Revolution to the groundbreaking breakthroughs of the modern era, each episode examines the human stories behind the ideas that shaped civilization. I invite my listeners to look beyond the textbook and engage with science not merely as a collection of facts, but as an evolving, deeply human pursuit of truth. Whether you are a lifelong student of history, a science enthusiast, or simply someone who wonders how we came to know what we know, this podcast offers thoughtful, well-researched narratives that illuminate the minds and moments that moved science forward. Rational Thinker false https://feeds.simplecast.com/n8sUEf8r chemistry,history,physics,science,scientists dB Podcasts archie@db.company 120331f7-817f-4b96-ae21-803df079b6ff Thu, 28 May 2026 23:00:00 +0000 archie@db.company (Rational Thinker) https://rational-thinker.simplecast.com/episodes/how-relativity-was-validated-TlyBQapQ How Relativity Was Validated Rational Thinker 00:22:17 For over two centuries, Newton’s law of gravity accurately predicted the motions of all the planets in the solar system. But that all changed in 1859, when French astronomer Urbain Le Verrier discovered a strange anomaly regarding mercury’s orbit. This led to a problem in Newton's reality that didn't have an answer until Albert Einstein proposed General Relativity in 1915. Einstein accurately modeled Mercury's orbit with GR, but it wasn't enough for his theory to be accepted as fact. He needed to predict a testable anomaly that had been previously unobserved, and one of his predictions was light bending around the Sun. In 1919, that prediction was put to the test, and what was found would make Einstein a worldwide celebrity practically overnight. For over two centuries, Newton’s law of gravity accurately predicted the motions of all the planets in the solar system. But that all changed in 1859, when French astronomer Urbain Le Verrier discovered a strange anomaly regarding mercury’s orbit. This led to a problem in Newton's reality that didn't have an answer until Albert Einstein proposed General Relativity in 1915. Einstein accurately modeled Mercury's orbit with GR, but it wasn't enough for his theory to be accepted as fact. He needed to predict a testable anomaly that had been previously unobserved, and one of his predictions was light bending around the Sun. In 1919, that prediction was put to the test, and what was found would make Einstein a worldwide celebrity practically overnight. educational, relativity, history, science false full 16 d4cbad38-4460-4001-bb82-5493ff625d8f Thu, 14 May 2026 23:00:00 +0000 archie@db.company (Rational Thinker) https://rational-thinker.simplecast.com/episodes/how-absolute-zero-was-discovered-_FaMrltt How Absolute Zero Was Discovered Rational Thinker 00:08:41 Absolute zero is the theoretical limit to how cold temperature can reach. The quest to calculate the value of it started in the 1700s, but wasn't accurately done so until the mid 1800s by British physicist William Thomson. Absolute zero is the theoretical limit to how cold temperature can reach. The quest to calculate the value of it started in the 1700s, but wasn't accurately done so until the mid 1800s by British physicist William Thomson. philosophy, history, science false full 2 a5480a40-6c9d-490b-b9ff-cf3d2e7cdd27 Thu, 14 May 2026 23:00:00 +0000 archie@db.company (Rational Thinker) https://rational-thinker.simplecast.com/episodes/how-oxygen-was-discovered-tkYjTvXr How Oxygen Was Discovered Rational Thinker 00:17:57 In the 1770s, a revolution in chemistry had just begun, starting in Uppsala, Sweden. A young apothecary named Carl Wilhelm Scheele began a series of experiments that led to the eventual downfall of an entire theory of fire that had dominated chemistry for a century. This theory was known as the theory of phlogiston; phlogiston was an invisible substance that released from materials when they burned and was absorbed by air or other substances. Scheele supported phlogiston from his results, but his went unpublished for five years, leading to another chemist, Joseph Priestley, getting credit for the discovery of what Scheele called "fire air." This is the story of how Scheele, Priestley, and a French chemist named Antoine Lavoisier discovered a substance that would eventually tackle the theory of phlogiston and replace it with a new theory of oxygen. In the 1770s, a revolution in chemistry had just begun, starting in Uppsala, Sweden. A young apothecary named Carl Wilhelm Scheele began a series of experiments that led to the eventual downfall of an entire theory of fire that had dominated chemistry for a century. This theory was known as the theory of phlogiston; phlogiston was an invisible substance that released from materials when they burned and was absorbed by air or other substances. Scheele supported phlogiston from his results, but his went unpublished for five years, leading to another chemist, Joseph Priestley, getting credit for the discovery of what Scheele called "fire air." This is the story of how Scheele, Priestley, and a French chemist named Antoine Lavoisier discovered a substance that would eventually tackle the theory of phlogiston and replace it with a new theory of oxygen. philosophy, history, science false full 1 8468789a-ea9a-4153-8196-98c253c3e80d Thu, 14 May 2026 23:00:00 +0000 archie@db.company (Rational Thinker) https://rational-thinker.simplecast.com/episodes/how-the-atom-was-split-for-the-first-time-H1iNtVIT How the Atom Was Split for the First Time Rational Thinker 00:08:13 Ever since the discovery of the proton in 1919 by Ernest Rutherford, scientists had been on a mission to break atoms apart, splitting them into their smaller components in hopes of changing elements into others. This was first successfully done by two of Rutherford's pupils, John Cockcroft and Ernest Walton, in 1932 after their invention of the world's first particle accelerator. Ever since the discovery of the proton in 1919 by Ernest Rutherford, scientists had been on a mission to break atoms apart, splitting them into their smaller components in hopes of changing elements into others. This was first successfully done by two of Rutherford's pupils, John Cockcroft and Ernest Walton, in 1932 after their invention of the world's first particle accelerator. philosophy, history, atoms, science false full 3 dd905048-95dc-40e9-a694-8dc3a116105e Thu, 14 May 2026 23:00:00 +0000 archie@db.company (Rational Thinker) https://rational-thinker.simplecast.com/episodes/how-electron-spin-was-discovered-mgoDkEXU How Electron Spin Was Discovered Rational Thinker 00:20:18 In 1887, physicists Albert Michelson and Edward Morley discovered a new phenomenon that would come to be known as the fine structure of spectral lines. These spectral lines split into two or more components, and other effects like the Zeeman and Stark effects also showed cases where spectral lines split. The quest to answer why this happened took almost 40 years and would end with the discovery of a new characteristic of an electron known as "spin". In 1887, physicists Albert Michelson and Edward Morley discovered a new phenomenon that would come to be known as the fine structure of spectral lines. These spectral lines split into two or more components, and other effects like the Zeeman and Stark effects also showed cases where spectral lines split. The quest to answer why this happened took almost 40 years and would end with the discovery of a new characteristic of an electron known as "spin". philosophy, history, science false full 4 9a7b1687-fef5-42c5-aa79-a46180ff87c8 Thu, 14 May 2026 23:00:00 +0000 archie@db.company (Rational Thinker) https://rational-thinker.simplecast.com/episodes/how-the-first-artificial-element-was-created-C5IzyZIp How the First Artificial Element Was Created Rational Thinker 00:18:58 Technetium is quite an interesting element and has just as interesting of a history. Many had tried to discover it and failed, and this is because of how unstable all of its isotopes are. The only way to discover the element was to make it ourselves, and that was finally done in 1937. Technetium is quite an interesting element and has just as interesting of a history. Many had tried to discover it and failed, and this is because of how unstable all of its isotopes are. The only way to discover the element was to make it ourselves, and that was finally done in 1937. history, science false full 5 30c73109-9a82-4eb4-afa2-70719456a4b5 Thu, 14 May 2026 23:00:00 +0000 archie@db.company (Rational Thinker) https://rational-thinker.simplecast.com/episodes/how-radio-waves-were-discovered-fAh_hYUl How Radio Waves Were Discovered Rational Thinker 00:18:07 In the 1780s, an Italian physicist named Luigi Galvani made a shocking discovering when experimenting with the remains of frogs. He found that when he touched a the nerves of a frog with a lancet, and at the same time, discharged electricity from an electrostatic machine nearby, the frog legs would kick. This would spark a century-long slew of discoveries and theory that would eventually lead to the discover of the invisible radiation known today as radio waves. In the 1780s, an Italian physicist named Luigi Galvani made a shocking discovering when experimenting with the remains of frogs. He found that when he touched a the nerves of a frog with a lancet, and at the same time, discharged electricity from an electrostatic machine nearby, the frog legs would kick. This would spark a century-long slew of discoveries and theory that would eventually lead to the discover of the invisible radiation known today as radio waves. philosophy, history, science false full 6 bf7581e8-4300-458a-ac21-a9ab0bdc2f5b Thu, 14 May 2026 23:00:00 +0000 archie@db.company (Rational Thinker) https://rational-thinker.simplecast.com/episodes/how-atoms-were-weighed-for-the-first-time-2PC3W07K How Atoms Were Weighed for the First Time Rational Thinker 00:09:27 The weights of atoms and molecules are quite precise today, but has quite a long and complicated history. This video dives into the very beginning of that history, right when modern atomic theory was beginning to surface. John Dalton is the inventor of relative atomic weight, and his ideas were instrumental in getting atomic theory off the ground and running. Not only does this video cover Dalton's contribution, but also two scientists after him that destroyed his initial theory less than a decade after he published it. The weights of atoms and molecules are quite precise today, but has quite a long and complicated history. This video dives into the very beginning of that history, right when modern atomic theory was beginning to surface. John Dalton is the inventor of relative atomic weight, and his ideas were instrumental in getting atomic theory off the ground and running. Not only does this video cover Dalton's contribution, but also two scientists after him that destroyed his initial theory less than a decade after he published it. history, science false full 7 ad3ec6b0-f17c-45f0-adec-37aaa3918700 Thu, 14 May 2026 23:00:00 +0000 archie@db.company (Rational Thinker) https://rational-thinker.simplecast.com/episodes/how-electricity-was-discovered-AIYWUZHa How Electricity Was Discovered Rational Thinker 00:21:31 In 600 BC, Greek philosopher Thales of Miletus noticed that the gemstone amber attracted light objects when it was rubbed against a cloth. Unbeknownst to him, he had discovered the phenomenon of static electricity. But how did humanity progress from this knowledge of a certain gemstone to powering machines with batteries? The answer lies in two centuries of innovation starting shortly after the beginning of the scientific revolution. This video doesn't cover everything, but does cover the most important steps during the early era of electricity, starting from William Gilbert and ending with Michael Faraday. Keywords for search: Otto von Guericke, Francis Hauksbee Hawksbee, electromagnetism, magnetism, electric field, electron, magnetic field, electromagnetic, Stephen Gray, John Godfrey, Granville Wheler, Charles du Fay, Dufay, Leyden jar, von Kleist, van Musschenbroek, Dalibard, Benjamin Franklin, kite experiment, lightning, conduction, insulator, conductor, vitreous, resinous, luigi galvani, alessandro volta, wet pile, oersted, transformer, generator In 600 BC, Greek philosopher Thales of Miletus noticed that the gemstone amber attracted light objects when it was rubbed against a cloth. Unbeknownst to him, he had discovered the phenomenon of static electricity. But how did humanity progress from this knowledge of a certain gemstone to powering machines with batteries? The answer lies in two centuries of innovation starting shortly after the beginning of the scientific revolution. This video doesn't cover everything, but does cover the most important steps during the early era of electricity, starting from William Gilbert and ending with Michael Faraday. Keywords for search: Otto von Guericke, Francis Hauksbee Hawksbee, electromagnetism, magnetism, electric field, electron, magnetic field, electromagnetic, Stephen Gray, John Godfrey, Granville Wheler, Charles du Fay, Dufay, Leyden jar, von Kleist, van Musschenbroek, Dalibard, Benjamin Franklin, kite experiment, lightning, conduction, insulator, conductor, vitreous, resinous, luigi galvani, alessandro volta, wet pile, oersted, transformer, generator history, science false full 15 66f3dca9-e288-4ff7-a9cb-f0044a434304 Thu, 14 May 2026 23:00:00 +0000 archie@db.company (Rational Thinker) https://rational-thinker.simplecast.com/episodes/how-the-neutrino-was-discovered-rKmn83Dt How the Neutrino Was Discovered Rational Thinker 00:13:30 After the discovery of beta radiation by Ernest Rutherford in 1898 and the formulation of the mass-equivalency relation by Einstein in 1905, scientists realized that beta radiation was behaving in an odd way. The expected kinetic energy of the beta particles was less than expected and spread out over a spectrum as opposed to the expected single value. Some thought energy conservation was being violated, but a few scientists thought outside the box and proposed a new elementary particle, the neutrino, that would keep energy conserved and save the physics of beta decay. After the discovery of beta radiation by Ernest Rutherford in 1898 and the formulation of the mass-equivalency relation by Einstein in 1905, scientists realized that beta radiation was behaving in an odd way. The expected kinetic energy of the beta particles was less than expected and spread out over a spectrum as opposed to the expected single value. Some thought energy conservation was being violated, but a few scientists thought outside the box and proposed a new elementary particle, the neutrino, that would keep energy conserved and save the physics of beta decay. history, science false full 9 1ba0cd18-12e0-4f55-bee2-f6bc877a4731 Thu, 14 May 2026 23:00:00 +0000 archie@db.company (Rational Thinker) https://rational-thinker.simplecast.com/episodes/how-superconductivity-was-discovered-Gl09ld7W How Superconductivity Was Discovered Rational Thinker 00:16:37 The first liquefaction of helium in 1908 by Dutch experimental physicist Heike Kamerlingh Onnes was revolutionary. For the first time, scientists could push the boundaries of extremely low temperatures and see what happens to materials. 3 years after that feat, Onnes wanted to test something new: what happens to a metals electrical resistance as you reach those critical temperatures? 3 theories existed before Onnes tackled the problem, one by Lord Kelvin, one by James Dewar, and one by Augustus Matthiessen. However, when it came time to experiment, he collected data that matched none of the 3 existing theories. His discovery shocked the world of physics and introduced an entirely new concept to the community. The first liquefaction of helium in 1908 by Dutch experimental physicist Heike Kamerlingh Onnes was revolutionary. For the first time, scientists could push the boundaries of extremely low temperatures and see what happens to materials. 3 years after that feat, Onnes wanted to test something new: what happens to a metals electrical resistance as you reach those critical temperatures? 3 theories existed before Onnes tackled the problem, one by Lord Kelvin, one by James Dewar, and one by Augustus Matthiessen. However, when it came time to experiment, he collected data that matched none of the 3 existing theories. His discovery shocked the world of physics and introduced an entirely new concept to the community. history, science false full 10 e78d7e28-9cdd-4870-98bd-4abdbad3aa4a Thu, 14 May 2026 23:00:00 +0000 archie@db.company (Rational Thinker) https://rational-thinker.simplecast.com/episodes/the-origin-of-the-gravitational-constant-7P_jzxzl The Origin of the Gravitational Constant Rational Thinker 00:18:43 The gravitational constant, or at least what it represents, is a fundamental part of our universe. It represents the strength of gravity and, to our knowledge, remains unchanged throughout space and time. But how did our knowledge of this come about? It all started with the Principia, but Newton did not introduce the constant G. This video takes you through the historical process of discovering G and integrating it into the science landscape. The gravitational constant, or at least what it represents, is a fundamental part of our universe. It represents the strength of gravity and, to our knowledge, remains unchanged throughout space and time. But how did our knowledge of this come about? It all started with the Principia, but Newton did not introduce the constant G. This video takes you through the historical process of discovering G and integrating it into the science landscape. history, science false full 11 f0e05841-fdc4-4905-99ad-3dcb7cfecf8b Thu, 14 May 2026 23:00:00 +0000 archie@db.company (Rational Thinker) https://rational-thinker.simplecast.com/episodes/how-radioactivity-was-discovered-RqrYOHXB How Radioactivity Was Discovered Rational Thinker 00:19:46 In 1895, German physicist Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen discovered a new type of radiation. It was invisible and penetrating to some materials, but not others. He called the radiation "X-rays," and the phenomenon took over the science world. The very next year, a French physicist named Antoine Henri Becquerel, while studying these rays and trying to link them to phosphorescence, accidentally stumbled upon a new phenomenon that would ultimately shape the following century. In 1895, German physicist Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen discovered a new type of radiation. It was invisible and penetrating to some materials, but not others. He called the radiation "X-rays," and the phenomenon took over the science world. The very next year, a French physicist named Antoine Henri Becquerel, while studying these rays and trying to link them to phosphorescence, accidentally stumbled upon a new phenomenon that would ultimately shape the following century. history, science false full 13 b177bae0-04c0-4901-a9d0-144dd24fe9d3 Thu, 14 May 2026 23:00:00 +0000 archie@db.company (Rational Thinker) https://rational-thinker.simplecast.com/episodes/how-x-rays-were-discovered-GK_v_3GN How X-rays Were Discovered Rational Thinker 00:17:09 In the late 19th century, cathode rays were the dominant topic of discussion in the world of physics. Scientists all over the globe were debating over what the nature of those rays were and what that implied for our reality. In 1895, a German physicist by the name of Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen joined this debate, but in his experiments, found something else entirely... something that would change the world forever. In the late 19th century, cathode rays were the dominant topic of discussion in the world of physics. Scientists all over the globe were debating over what the nature of those rays were and what that implied for our reality. In 1895, a German physicist by the name of Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen joined this debate, but in his experiments, found something else entirely... something that would change the world forever. history, science false full 12 5bea44a8-ac08-4c0a-addc-925852410086 Thu, 14 May 2026 23:00:00 +0000 archie@db.company (Rational Thinker) https://rational-thinker.simplecast.com/episodes/the-quantum-debate-that-changed-physics-forever-n6PXB27u The Quantum Debate That Changed Physics Forever Rational Thinker 00:19:55 The 1920s were an era of intense discovery and progress in the world of physics. Concepts such as matrix mechanics, the Schrödinger model of the atom, the Heisenberg uncertainty principle, and more dominated this era of progress. All of these concepts had a particular trait in common with one another: they showed that probability was the driving force behind reality. Many physicists, most notably among them, Albert Einstein, were not so willing to accept this idea to its fullest. Einstein brought his concerns with him, along with his challenging thought experiments, to the 5th Solvay Conference in 1927, where he and his colleague, Niels Bohr, would start a decades long debate over probability and the true nature of reality. The 1920s were an era of intense discovery and progress in the world of physics. Concepts such as matrix mechanics, the Schrödinger model of the atom, the Heisenberg uncertainty principle, and more dominated this era of progress. All of these concepts had a particular trait in common with one another: they showed that probability was the driving force behind reality. Many physicists, most notably among them, Albert Einstein, were not so willing to accept this idea to its fullest. Einstein brought his concerns with him, along with his challenging thought experiments, to the 5th Solvay Conference in 1927, where he and his colleague, Niels Bohr, would start a decades long debate over probability and the true nature of reality. history, science false full 14 7b97b0e0-e40a-4199-ac49-d1fe39b151c0 Thu, 14 May 2026 23:00:00 +0000 archie@db.company (Rational Thinker) https://rational-thinker.simplecast.com/episodes/how-the-atomic-number-was-discovered-bOn_iyH6 How The Atomic Number Was Discovered Rational Thinker 00:08:09 Henry Moseley was a British physicist known for his discovery of Moseley's Law, which relates the atomic number to the "characteristic X-ray" of each element. Before Moseley's discovery, the atomic number was merely an arbitrary number given to elements, and was not the way elements were sorted on the periodic table. Henry Moseley was a British physicist known for his discovery of Moseley's Law, which relates the atomic number to the "characteristic X-ray" of each element. Before Moseley's discovery, the atomic number was merely an arbitrary number given to elements, and was not the way elements were sorted on the periodic table. history, science false full 8