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A History of the United States in 100 Objects

A History of the United States in 100 Objects

100 objects. 100 stories. A new history of the US hiding in plain sight.

A History of the United States in 100 Objects

Episodes (8 available)

A History of the United States in 100 Objects, A History of the United States in 100 Objects, 100 Objects #8: Billy Possum

From teddy bears to billy possums—how our animal feelings have shaped the natural world.

10 Jul 2026

37 mins

A History of the United States in 100 Objects, A History of the United States in 100 Objects, 100 Objects #7: The Otis Pamphlet

The story of America’s forgotten proto-founding father and his inflammatory 1764 pamphlet.

3 Jul 2026

38 mins

A History of the United States in 100 Objects, A History of the United States in 100 Objects, 100 Objects #6: “Sharpened Screwdriver”

How a weapon that never existed shaped the story of a shooting in 1984 New York.

26 Jun 2026

41 mins

A History of the United States in 100 Objects, A History of the United States in 100 Objects, 100 Objects #5: Blue Back Speller

One book. A fight for literacy. A debate about what freedom means in America.

19 Jun 2026

47 mins

A History of the United States in 100 Objects, A History of the United States in 100 Objects, 100 Objects #4: Lowe's Gas Bag

How one man's runaway balloon flight sparked America's obsession with going ever higher.

12 Jun 2026

39 mins

A History of the United States in 100 Objects, A History of the United States in 100 Objects, 100 Objects #3: The Pension Files

Unearthing a remarkable slave rebellion through dusty Civil War paperwork.

5 Jun 2026

44 mins

A History of the United States in 100 Objects, A History of the United States in 100 Objects, 100 Objects #2: 60-Degree Screw

A tiny screw. A precise angle. How America built a hidden empire, one standard at a time.

29 May 2026

36 mins

A History of the United States in 100 Objects, A History of the United States in 100 Objects, 100 Objects #1: The Century Safe

A locked iron safe, sealed for 100 years. What objects did Americans choose to remember?

19 May 2026

30 mins