Before Stuff of Genius takes its own scheduled break, Christian looks into the origin of the modern sabbatical and its goal of improving productivity through revitalization.

Tetris! A Riddle Wrapped In An Enigma

Jan 16th, 2014 2m 14s

Alexey Pajitnov changed the world of gaming forever when he created Tetris. Learn the history of this famous game and how it came to be.

Hack Your New Year

Jan 14th, 2014 2m 43s

Want to successfully meet your resolutions in 2014? Use these 5 lifehacks at the beginning of your year, so you're happy with the rest of it!

The Iceman Cometh... Jacob Perkin's First Refrigerator

Jan 9th, 2014 2m 6s

Jacob Perkins was always a tinkerer, but in 1834 he patented the refrigerator. Learn how his version worked by vaporizing dangerous chemicals.

No More Woof

Jan 7th, 2014 3m 29s

Talking dogs are cute and all, but what if you could actually translate your dog's thoughts into English? A Scandinavian research lab claims they've invented the answer.

Explosions in the Sky

Dec 31st, 2013 1m 58s

Thousands of years ago, the Chinese invented fireworks. Learn the origin of these celebrated pyrotechnics in this episode.

The White Elephant In The Room

Dec 24th, 2013 2m 34s

Every year, American office parties celebrate a tradition called a "White Elephant" exchange. Stuff of Genius deciphers how this term came from a complicated history between the U.S. and Thailand.

For Your Eyes Only: The Privacy Visor

Dec 19th, 2013 2m 28s

A Tokyo based team has invented a pair of glasses that disrupts digital cameras and prevents facial recognition. Want to hide your identity and personal information? We'll tell you how in today's episode.

Better, Faster, Stronger... Meet the Modern Umbrella

Dec 17th, 2013 2m 3s

While umbrellas have been around for centuries, the modern steel design we're all familiar with was invented by Samuel Fox in 1852. Or was it? Learn about the controversy behind this simple device that keeps us dry.

5 Tips to Make Your Phone Battery Last

Dec 12th, 2013 2m 37s

Is your phone constantly dying? Try these 5 everyday tips to conserve your battery's power.

George Ballas and the Weed Eater

Dec 10th, 2013 1m 57s

What do carwashes and lawn care have in common? The answer might surprise you. Tune in in to learn how George Ballas went from cleaning his car to inventing the weed eater.

No Babies! Gregory Pincus and the Birth Control Pill

Dec 5th, 2013 2m 13s

The birth control pill prevents millions of births every year. Learn how a scientist's experiments with rabbit ovums and frozen sperm led to this game changing advance in human reproduction.

The World Wide Web

Dec 3rd, 2013 2m 28s

Nowadays the internet is nearly ubiquitous -- but how did it all begin? Tune in for a closer look at the man who changed the world -- and invented the world wide web -- in this episode.

Velcro

Nov 28th, 2013 1m 10s

When George de Mestral and his dog set out on a leisurely mountain stroll, they returned covered in burrs. Learn how an afternoon walk inspired the creation of Velcro in this video.

Mr. Alexanderson and the Long-Range Radio

Nov 26th, 2013 1m 14s

Before Ernst Alexanderson designed the high-frequency alternators that transmitted radio broadcasts in a continuous wave, radio was not usable over long distances. Tune in and learn more in this video.

The Book Nobody Can Read: Codex Seraphinianus

Nov 21st, 2013 2m 44s

Experience the imaginary world of Luigi Serafini, as Christian presents the art, typography and content of this legendary unreadable book.

Who invented the nicotine patch?

Nov 19th, 2013 2m 24s

The nicotine patch has helped thousands of smokers kick the habit, but where did it come from? Tune in to learn more about the man behind the nicotine patch (and how he figured it out) in this episode.

What's So Genius About The Wire?

Nov 14th, 2013 3m 28s

David Simon created "The Wire," often described as the best television show ever made. Learn why the program is regarded so highly and how Simon was awarded a "genius grant" after creating it.

Raymond Damadian and the MRI

Nov 12th, 2013 2m 19s

Today the MRI is a crucial piece of technology, and its ability to scan the human body in a noninvasive way makes it an invaluable diagnostic tool. But who built it, and how does it work? Tune in to find out.

There's An App For That: Cockroach Mind Control

Nov 7th, 2013 5m 14s

Christian talks to Greg Gage from Backyard Brains about the future of neuroscience and an invention that can remote control a live cockroach with a smart phone.

Larry, Sergey and the Stuff of Searching Genius

Nov 5th, 2013 2m 10s

Today, Google is one of the world's most well-known, influential companies. But how did it get its start? Tune in and learn how two Stanford graduate students took their Stuff of Genius from a garage to people across the globe.

Standard Time

Nov 2nd, 2013 1m 38s

Although you may not have heard of Sir Sandford Fleming, his Stuff of Genius influences every second of your life. Turn back the clock and take a look at the man who standardized time in this episode.

The Junk Food King

Oct 31st, 2013 1m 14s

During World War II, William Mitchell made a discovery that led to the emergence of junk food for the masses. Learn how tapioca led to pop rocks in this episode.

Mad Genius: Wade Davis and Haitian Zombies

Oct 29th, 2013 3m 22s

World explorer Wade Davis discovered a Haitian poison used to make "zombie" thralls. Find out the potion's key ingredient and how popular culture has twisted the origin of the zombie myth.