99% Invisible (Standard Length)

Series produced by Roman Mars

Series image

Trying to comprehend the 99% invisible activity that shapes the design of our world.

A tiny radio show about design, architecture & the 99% invisible activity that shapes our world. From producer Roman Mars and KALW in San Francisco.

In August 2012, 99% Invisible became the highest-funded journalism project in Kickstarter history, raising over $170,000 from 5661 backers.

With over 4 million downloads online, 99% Invisible recently peaked at #2 in iTunes ranking for all podcasts in the US, and had occupied the #1 spot in both the Arts and Design categories.

"Roman Mars lights the radio. His pieces conjure other worlds, grapple with big ideas, make sound three dimensional. They are smart and funny and original. The Kitchen Sisters would like to be Presidents of his Fan Club."
-The Kitchen Sisters, Peabody Award-winning producers for NPR

"We think what he’s doing is inspiring. It has a kind of rhythm and musicality that you don’t normally find in radio or podcast storytelling."
-Jad Abumrad, Radiolab

"I love the show. It's wonderful. [It] actually reminded me of why I love radio."
-Jonathan Goldstein, CBC's WireTap

"Mars is the Ira Glass of design."
-Allison Arieff, The New York Times Opinionator design columnist

Learn more: http://99percentinvisible.org Hide full description

A tiny radio show about design, architecture & the 99% invisible activity that shapes our world. From producer Roman Mars and KALW in San Francisco. In August 2012, 99% Invisible became the highest-funded journalism project in Kickstarter history, raising over $170,000 from 5661 backers. With over 4 million downloads online, 99% Invisible recently peaked at #2 in iTunes ranking for all podcasts in the US, and had occupied the #1 spot in both the Arts and Design categories."Roman Mars lights the radio. His pieces conjure other worlds, grapple with big ideas, make sound three dimensional. They are smart and funny and original. The Kitchen Sisters would like to be Presidents of his Fan Club."-The Kitchen Sisters, Peabody Award-winning producers for NPR"We think what he’s doing is... Show full description


69 Pieces

Order by: Newest First | Oldest First
99% Invisible #76- The Modern Moloch (Standard 4:30 Version)
From: Roman Mars
Series: 99% Invisible (Standard Length)
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The invention of Jaywalking.

  • Added: May 14, 2013
  • Length: 04:29
99% Invisible #70- The Great Red Car Conspiracy (Standard 4:30 version)
From: Roman Mars
Series: 99% Invisible (Standard Length)
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If you think you know this story, you probably have it backwards.

Bought by WFPL News, Vermont Public Radio, and WFYI


  • Added: Jan 31, 2013
  • Length: 04:30
  • Purchases: 3
99% Invisible #71- In and Out of LOVE (Standard 4:30 version)
From: Roman Mars
Series: 99% Invisible (Standard Length)
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Follow a breadcrumb trail of black wax and wheel marks to a secret war over public space.

Bought by WFPL News, WCAI / WNAN, Vermont Public Radio, WFYI, and KUOW


  • Added: Jan 31, 2013
  • Length: 04:30
  • Purchases: 5
99% Invisible #68- Built For Speed (standard 4:30 version)
From: Roman Mars
Series: 99% Invisible (Standard Length)
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How long are lines on a highway?

Bought by WCAI / WNAN, WFYI, Vermont Public Radio, and WFPL News


  • Added: Dec 28, 2012
  • Length: 04:30
  • Purchases: 4
99% Invisible #66- Kowloon Walled City (Standard 4:30 version)
From: Roman Mars
Series: 99% Invisible (Standard Length)
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The densest place in human history.

Bought by WTJU, WFYI, Vermont Public Radio, and KALW


  • Added: Dec 28, 2012
  • Length: 04:30
  • Purchases: 4
99% Invisible #65- Razzle Dazzle (standard 4:30 version)
From: Roman Mars
Series: 99% Invisible (Standard Length)
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This is probably not what you think of when you think of camouflage.

Bought by WFYI and Vermont Public Radio


  • Added: Dec 28, 2012
  • Length: 04:30
  • Purchases: 2
99% Invisible #63- The Political Stage (Standard 4:30 version)
From: Roman Mars
Series: 99% Invisible (Standard Length)
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Seven-and-a-half secrets from the campaign trail.

Bought by Vermont Public Radio


  • Added: Dec 28, 2012
  • Length: 04:30
  • Purchases: 1
99% Invisible #62- Q2 (Standard 4:30 version)
From: Roman Mars
Series: 99% Invisible (Standard Length)
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The access to your queue has been queued.

Bought by Vermont Public Radio


  • Added: Dec 27, 2012
  • Length: 04:31
  • Purchases: 1
99% Invisible #61- A Series of Tubes (Standard 4:30 version)
From: Roman Mars
Series: 99% Invisible (Standard Length)
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A last mile problem and the pneumatic solution.

Bought by The Story and Vermont Public Radio


  • Added: Dec 27, 2012
  • Length: 04:29
  • Purchases: 2
99% Invisible #60- Names v. The Nothing (Standard 4:30 version)
From: Roman Mars
Series: 99% Invisible (Standard Length)
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Atreyu, Falcore, Freeway Eddy

Bought by Vermont Public Radio


  • Added: Dec 27, 2012
  • Length: 04:30
  • Purchases: 1
99% Invisible #27- Bridge to the Sky (Standard 4:30 Version)
From: Roman Mars
Series: 99% Invisible (Standard Length)
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There are rules that dicate how high you can build. Bradford Gilbert just didn't believe in them.

  • Added: Nov 07, 2012
  • Length: 04:30
99% Invisible #57- What Gave You That Idea (Standard 4:30 version)
From: Roman Mars
Series: 99% Invisible (Standard Length)
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What Charles Dickens has to do with those insurance commercials on TV.

Bought by WFYI, KUOW, The Story, KUT, and North Country Public Radio


  • Added: Aug 28, 2012
  • Length: 04:31
  • Purchases: 5
99% Invisible #56- Frozen Music (Standard 4:30 version)
From: Roman Mars
Series: 99% Invisible (Standard Length)
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Composer Jon Brion reminds us the difference between a performance and a song.

Bought by WFYI, KUT, and North Country Public Radio


  • Added: Aug 28, 2012
  • Length: 04:29
  • Purchases: 3
99% Invisible #55- The Best Beer in the World (Standard 4:30 version)
From: Roman Mars
Series: 99% Invisible (Standard Length)
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They made it perfect--but not for you.

Bought by Vermont Public Radio, KUOW, North Country Public Radio, and KUT


  • Added: Aug 28, 2012
  • Length: 04:30
  • Purchases: 4
99% Invisible #54- The Colour of Money (Standard 4:30 version)
From: Roman Mars
Series: 99% Invisible (Standard Length)
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Australia made its money better. Why can't the US?

Bought by WFYI, KUOW, North Country Public Radio, WFPL News, and KUT


  • Added: Aug 28, 2012
  • Length: 04:29
  • Purchases: 5
99% Invisible #53- The Xanadu Effect (Standard 4:30 version)
From: Roman Mars
Series: 99% Invisible (Standard Length)
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Can a building be too big to fail?

Bought by KUOW, KUT, and North Country Public Radio


  • Added: Aug 28, 2012
  • Length: 04:30
  • Purchases: 3
99% Invisible #52- Galloping Gertie (Standard 4:30 version)
From: Roman Mars
Series: 99% Invisible (Standard Length)
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Even during the construction of the original Tacoma Narrows Bridge, the deck would go up and down by several feet with the slightest breeze. Constr...

Bought by KFAI, North Country Public Radio, KUOW, and KUT


  • Added: May 18, 2012
  • Length: 04:30
  • Purchases: 4
99% Invisible #51- Arsenal of Exclusion (Standard 4:30 version)
From: Roman Mars
Series: 99% Invisible (Standard Length)
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“Cities exist to bring people together, but cities can also keep people apart” - Daniel D’Oca, Urban Planner, Interboro Partners.

Bought by KUT, KUOW, and North Country Public Radio


  • Added: May 18, 2012
  • Length: 04:29
  • Purchases: 3
99% Invisible #50- DeafSpace (Standard 4:30 version)
From: Roman Mars
Series: 99% Invisible (Standard Length)
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The acoustics of a building are a big concern for architects. But for designers at Gallaudet University in Washington, DC, it’s the absence of soun...

Bought by KUOW, North Country Public Radio, and KUT


  • Added: May 18, 2012
  • Length: 04:30
  • Purchases: 3
99% Invisible #49- Queue Theory and Design (Standard 4:30 version)
From: Roman Mars
Series: 99% Invisible (Standard Length)
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In the US, it’s called a line. In Canada, it’s often referred to as a line-up. Pretty much everywhere else, it’s known as a queue.

Bought by WFPL News, KUT, North Country Public Radio, and KUOW


  • Added: May 18, 2012
  • Length: 04:30
  • Purchases: 4

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