More than 154 million treasures fill the Smithsonian’s vaults. But where the public’s view ends, Sidedoor begins. With the help of biologists, artists,... more
Within just a few years, artificial intelligence systems that sometimes seem to display almost human characteristics have gone from science... more
There aren’t many portrait artists who get recognized on the street, but it happens to Devon Rodriguez all the time.... more
Next up in our summer playlist, we bring you an episode of The Kitchen Sisters Present, a podcast featuring sound-rich... more
In the twentieth century, the jetpack became synonymous with the idea of a ‘futuristic society.’ Appearing in cartoons and magazines,... more
It’s been called ‘the most noble and absurd undertaking ever attempted by any state.’ During the height of the Great... more
For thousands of years, fluffy white dogs could be found across the Pacific Northwest. Their exceptionally soft, crimpy hair was... more
Hitch a ride on the Chandra X-ray Observatory as it scours deep space for some of the most enigmatic and... more
Black holes could unlock the mysteries of creation and live at the heart of nearly every galaxy. But these invisible... more
The cicadas are back for some fun in the sun, and this time, they’re louder than ever! For the first time... more
"God in a cup." "Perfection." "The world's best coffee." Panamanian geisha coffee has been called many things, but never Smithsonian... more
If you’ve bought a plane ticket recently, you’ve probably had the option to pay a few extra dollars to offset... more
It started as a rumor in the cafeteria of the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute in Panama: monkeys on an island... more
Money is power. But who's on our money - or isn’t - can be just as powerful. While Lady Liberty... more
Did you know a person born on February 29 is called a "leapling"? This special episode is hopping with Leap Day... more
They say love is eternal. What about heartbreak? This Valentine’s Day, we bring you some of Japanese theater’s most popular... more
From brontosauruses with bronchitis to birds on a wire to flying space rocks and a botched heist at 20 thousand... more
As long as there have been wars, animals have joined their human companions on the battlefield. But a few have... more
Virginia Hall dreamed of being America’s first female ambassador. Instead, she became a spy. Joining the ranks of the U.S.’s... more
It’s a song we often hear at the start of the new year. But what does “auld lang syne” even mean? And how... more
North American River Otters are popping up in places they haven't been seen in decades and nobody really knows why.... more
When Maggie Kuhn was forced to retire from the job she loved at age 65, her colleagues gave her a... more
All three Giant Pandas are leaving the Smithsonian's National Zoo for China by the end of the year. What's up... more
The Smithsonian Institution was founded on principles of reason and scientific inquiry. So why is the Smithsonian home to countless... more
Looks like these criminals used correct postage, 'cause justice is about to be delivered. Okay, there are no snappy one-liners... more
Cellphones put the power of the world at our fingertips. With the touch of a finger, you can instantly connect... more
Icky Gunk. Moldy Hay. Kermit. You might recognize one of these names. Before Kermit joined Miss Piggy and Big Bird,... more
Sidedoor returns for its tenth season on Wednesday, September 13th!
In 1860 the fastest way to get a message to a family member, partner, or colleague wasn’t by text but... more
When a 200-year-old legal document anonymously arrived at his office, Smithsonian Libraries and Archives conservator William Bennett assumed it would be full... more
When you imagine the sound of a dinosaur, you probably think of a scene from the Jurassic Park movies. How... more
A Smithsonian researcher has made a discovery we couldn't wait to sink our teeth into — what might be the... more
Before the invention of photography, only the rich could afford to have portraits of themselves. But in the early 1800s,... more
America has a long history of clustering heavy industry and toxic facilities in communities where people of color live. But... more
In 1948, Moses Asch set out with an ambitious project: to document the world’s sounds! 75 years later, that project has grown... more
Women have long fueled America's greatest scientific achievements. But when you go searching for information about these women scientists, you'll... more
Nowhere in the world are lawns as revered as they are in the United States. The picture-perfect patch of grass... more
As a kid, Bill Nye spent whole days wandering the halls of Smithsonian museums. Now the Science Guy is back…... more
Until the 1970s, women were barred from competing in U.S. marathons because of the belief that the "violent movements" would... more
We think of paintings as art, but can they also be a source of data? 300 years ago, a young... more
Most people in North America can't see the Milky Way. The reason? We're ensconced in a luminous fog of artificial lighting... more
When Sidedoor listener Cliff Hall bought a used violin, he found a tattered note tucked alongside the century-old instrument. Obsessed... more
Sidedoor returns for its ninth season on Wednesday, March 1st!
They bring out the voyeur in us. And the Smithsonian’s Archives of American Art is full of them. In three... more
In 1983, the Cabbage Patch Kids were released, causing widespread pandemonium in toy stores and in the media. How did... more
This MLK Day we're digging into the story behind Dr. King's famous "I Have a Dream" speech —from its first... more
Public monuments to honor Black Americans in the 1930s: that was the vision of Augusta Savage, a Harlem Renaissance sculptor... more
What is it about a mistletoe that says “smooch?” And what the heck is figgy pudding anyway? The holidays are here... more
Known for her smashing parties, lighter-than-air souffles and comedic wit, Lucy Hicks Anderson never let anyone tell her how to... more
If you’ve heard the phrase, “full blooded,” you’re already familiar with the concept of blood quantum. But Native Americans are... more
It took pride, deceit, and a giant catapult to set off the feud between the Wright brothers and the Smithsonian.... more
"I wake up every morning in a house built by slaves." After Michelle Obama said those words at the 2016... more
The Smithsonian Institution was founded on principles of reason and scientific inquiry. So why is the museum home to countless... more
Eating meat is what made us human. At least, that's one of the leading theories to explain how our brains... more
When LOL just isn't enough to respond to a friend's killer joke, emoji are there for you. But for many... more
Dorothy Liebes was a whirlwind in the weaving world. Throughout the 1930s, she spun luxury fabrics so bold and colorful... more
In 19th century Japan, two sumo wrestlers faced down dozens of firefighters in a brawl so epic it inspired a... more
"This is a war not only for the territory. This is war against our culture," says Ihor Poshyvailo, director of... more
As NASA releases the James Webb Space Telescope's first images, we focus our lens on its predecessor: the Hubble Space... more
Which came first, the flag or the song? Sidedoor is celebrating this Independence Day with a special bonus episode: the... more
Nowhere in the world are lawns as revered as they are in the United States. The picture-perfect patch of grass... more
Nowhere in the world are lawns as revered as they are in the United States. The picture-perfect patch of grass is so... more