Blog 11

Reflecting on Our Podcast: Revisiting the Inventions of the 1930s

Creating this podcast episode was more than just an opportunity to dive into a decade of innovation, it was a chance for the three of us (Rory, I, and Tomas) to rethink how we view history and the everyday objects we often take for granted.

When we first set out to explore inventions from the 1930s, we expected a fairly straightforward research task. What we didn’t anticipate was just how relevant those innovations would still feel today. From sliced bread and Scotch tape to jet engines and radar, each of these inventions told a deeper story—not just about technology, but about resilience, necessity, and the unexpected paths that innovation takes.

A Journey Through Time (and Teamwork)

Working together as a team brought its own lessons. Each of us brought different interests and tones to the conversation, Rory with his mix of humor and curiosity, Me with my clear, engaging storytelling, and Tomas bringing depth and a historical lens. Recording the podcast gave us space to experiment with how we deliver information: what’s engaging, what’s surprising, and what makes someone want to keep listening.

One of the most rewarding parts of this process was discovering how much of modern life is shaped by ideas born out of constraint. Many of these 1930s inventions were created in response to war, economic hardship, or limited resources, yet they sparked ideas that would ripple through the decades. It made us think: What are we inventing today that people will still be using 90 years from now?

Beyond the Script

Reflecting on this project, we didn’t just learn about sliced bread or nylon. We learned how to collaborate, how to communicate across different voices, and how to think more deeply about the invisible structures that support our lives. The tools we talked about might seem simple, tape, cans, walkie-talkies, but the act of understanding them more deeply made us appreciate the complexity behind even the most everyday objects.