Kathleen Carlucci, director of the Thomas Edison Center at Menlo Park, joins AMSEcast to discuss Edison’s lasting impact on American innovation. From his early love of telegraphy to his system-wide inventions in sound, light, and film, Edison redefined how ideas were developed and assembled skilled teams in the world’s first “invention factory.” Carlucci highlights his resilience, collaborative spirit, and ability to turn failure into progress. Visitors to the Center can explore original artifacts, interactive exhibits, and hands-on demonstrations that bring Edison’s legacy to life, reminding us that with perseverance, innovation is within anyone’s reach. &nbsp; &nbsp;  Guest Bio Kathleen Carlucci is the Director of the Thomas Edison Center at Menlo Park, where she leads efforts to preserve and share the legacy of one of America’s greatest inventors. With degrees in history and secondary education, she combines her passion for storytelling with a strong background in management and customer service. Kathleen has played a key role in enhancing the museum experience through engaging tours, educational programs, and community outreach. Her work ensures that visitors of all ages connect with Thomas Edison’s innovations and are inspired by his enduring message of curiosity, perseverance, and the power of hands-on learning. &nbsp; &nbsp; Show Highlights  (1:14) Edison’s process for thinking up ideas and bringing them to fruition (2:40) How Edison overcame hearing loss to accomplish so much (3:42) Edison’s improvements to the telegraph and telephone (6:36) How Edison organized and staffed his Menlo Park lab (9:51) Why he moved to West Orange, NJ, and what became of Menlo Park (12:28) Edison’s work with light bulbs, motion picture technology, and batteries (19:03) What Edison would do when he hit a wall on a project (20:39) Lessons from Menlo Park that future innovators should learn (22:43) What a tour of the Thomas Edison Center at Menlo Park includes  &nbsp; &nbsp; Links Referenced  Thomas Edison Center at Menlo Park:

Inside the Invention Factory with Kathleen Carlucci

Noted historian Walter Borneman recently spoke to us about his book, MacArthur at War: World War II in the Pacific. Few characters loom as large in that war than Douglas MacArthur, and Walt’s book gives a terrific look at how this enigmatic man helped lead our nation to victory over the Japanese. After his narrow escape from the Philippines as the Japanese invaded, MacArthur set up his headquarters in Australia in a time that looked very bad for the allies. Walt offers unique perspective on MacArthur’s field of operations as the allies began to turn the tables against the Japanese empire.

AMSE Science Report: Walter Borneman recently spoke to us about his book, MacArthur at War: World War II in the Pacific

Highlights of conversations about innovation from AMSEcast. The Podcast of the American Museum of Science and Energy.

The keys to innovation

Dr. E.C. “Ed” Krupp joins Alan on this episode of AMSEcast to discuss the Griffith Observatory and his role as its longtime director. Now in its 90th year, the observatory remains a hub for public astronomy, drawing over 1.6 million visitors annually. Ed shares its educational mission, including a fifth-grade program and immersive exhibits like “Water is Life.” He also discusses archaeoastronomy, the cross-disciplinary study of ancient skywatching, and how visiting historical sites deepens our understanding of past cultures. From the Hopi village of Walpi to upcoming lunar livestreams at Chimney Rock, Ed continues to connect humanity’s cosmic curiosity across centuries through science, culture, and wonder. &nbsp;  Guest Bio Dr. E.C. “Ed” Krupp has served as director of the world-renowned Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles since 1974, guiding it through transformative changes and welcoming over 1.6 million visitors annually. Under his leadership, the observatory has become the most visited public observatory on the planet. Ed is also a leading authority in the field of archaeoastronomy—the study of how ancient cultures understood the sky—and has authored several acclaimed books, including Skywatchers, Shamans &amp; Kings: Astronomy and the Archaeology of Power. Known for his engaging insights and deep knowledge, Ed continues to inspire public curiosity about the cosmos and our place within it. &nbsp; Show Highlights  (1:43) When Griffith Observatory was established and its mission (4:38) Exhibits and programs offered at the observatory (8:51) How they work with students (11:37) When archeoastronomy began to develop (17:02) How astronomical knowledge shapes our place in society and culture today (19:45) Places Ed has visited that have had the most impact on his work and life (25:13) What still perplexes Ed Krupp after all his traveling and learning (26:56) What’s next for Ed and the observatory  &nbsp; Links Referenced  Skywatchers, Shamans &amp; Kings: Astronomy and the Archaeology of Power:  Website:

Connecting Cultures and Cosmos with Ed Krupp

In this excerpt from our podcast, AMSEcast, Jack Kelly, author of Gunpowder: Alchemy, Bombards, and Pyrotechnics: The History of the Explosive that Changed the World. Discusses one of the most innovative and compounds ever manufactured.

AMSE Science Report with guest Jack Kelly

Author and historian Jay Feldman joins host Alan Lowe to discuss When the Mississippi Ran Backwards, his gripping account of the 1811–1812 New Madrid earthquakes. Alan and Feldman explore the quakes’ massive impact, including over 2,000 tremors felt across 1.5 million square miles, and the deep historical context behind them. He explains the ancient origins of the Reelfoot Rift, Tecumseh’s eerie quake prophecy, and how early steamboat travel intersected with disaster. Feldman also recounts a horrific crime against an enslaved teenager, exposed by the quakes, and touches on ongoing seismic risk today. He also discusses reflections from his new memoir. &nbsp;  Guest Bio Jay Feldman is an author, historian, and storyteller with a uniquely diverse background. Before turning to writing full-time, he worked as a musician and ran a music store specializing in vintage stringed instruments. He also founded Baseball for Peace, an organization promoting international understanding through sports, and has written for both television and the stage. Feldman is the author of Manufacturing Hysteria: A History of Scapegoating, Surveillance, and Secrecy in Modern America and When the Mississippi Ran Backwards: Empire, Intrigue, Murder, and the New Madrid Earthquakes, which explores one of the most powerful and overlooked natural disasters in U.S. history. &nbsp; Show Highlights  (4:32) When the earthquakes occurred and how many there were (9:23) The creation of the Reelfoot Rift and how it became the source of the quakes (12:38) What makes intraplate earthquakes different from other kinds (13:57) Why the Mississippi River ran backwards at the height of the quake (16:11) The creation of Reelfoot Lake (17:54) The legend of Tecumseh’s prophecy about the earthquakes (21:55) How the Roosevelt family was involved with the event (27:55) The crime that was revealed in the wreckage of the earthquakes (32:44) Seismic activity in the area today  &nbsp; Links Referenced  Manufacturing Hysteria: A History of Scapegoating, Surveillance, and Secrecy in Modern America:  When the Mississippi Ran Backwards: Empire, Intrigue, Murder, and the New Madrid Earthquakes:

When the River Ran Backward with Jay Feldman

Author Richard Ellis speaks about his latest book The Quest for the Cosmic Dawn. A breakdown of the earliest moments of our celestial cosmic soup.

AMSE Science Report with Richard Ellis

ASME Science Report with Marc Wortman

AMSE Science Report with Marc Wortman

AMSE tells the story of national and global security, science, research, engineering, technology development, and environmental restoration successes that have occurred in Oak Ridge since the very first days of the Manhattan Project.

Inside the Invention Factory with Kathleen Carlucci

American Museum of Science and Energy

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