Distillations Episode 142: Mid-century Mutants
From: Chemical Heritage Foundation
Series: Distillations - The Chemistry Podcast
Length: 14:40
While fears of genetically modified organisms loom large in the modern public's consciousness, let us take a moment to reflect on how these issues were approached in the Atomic Age. First, Distillations' associate producer Michal Meyer speaks with CHF fellow Helen Curry about how intentional mutations of plants were interpreted in the 1950s—an era when the promise of such interventions reigned supreme. Then we look at how these scientific advances were interpreted through cinema in the same period, launching prolific characters like Godzilla.
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(16:09)
From: Chemical Heritage Foundation
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From: Chemical Heritage Foundation
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Related Pieces
Piece Description
While fears of genetically modified organisms loom large in the modern public's consciousness, let us take a moment to reflect on how these issues were approached in the Atomic Age. First, Distillations' associate producer Michal Meyer speaks with CHF fellow Helen Curry about how intentional mutations of plants were interpreted in the 1950s—an era when the promise of such interventions reigned supreme. Then we look at how these scientific advances were interpreted through cinema in the same period, launching prolific characters like Godzilla.
Broadcast History
Podcast on March 2, 2012.
Timing and Cues
0:00 Opening Credits
0:31 Introduction
1:42 Interview with Helen Curry
9:48 Hollywood and the Atomic Age
13:40 Closing Credits
Additional Credits
Special thanks to Andy Mangravite for researching this show.
Our theme music is composed by Dave Kaufman. Music from the Free Music Archive includes "Thereming," by Mr Fab and His Bag of Heads. Special thanks to archive.org for the remaining music.
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