Episode 9: Sphere of Life (Or, Why Humans Are So Obsessed With a Bouncing Ball)

An investigation into one of humanity's oldest and most ubiquitous inventions: the ball. From Egyptian rituals to the birth of the rubber industry to new digital balls that can be controlled by software programs, the ball has played a surprisingly transformative role in society. Special guests: John Fox, author of The Ball: Discovering the Object of the Game, and Melissa Coleman of Hackaball.

Om Podcasten

A series about the past and future of play and innovation, hosted by Steven Johnson, bestselling author and co-creator of the PBS series How We Got To Now. Necessity isn't always the mother of invention; some of our most important ideas arise out of moments of playful exploration. Inspired by Johnson's new book, Wonderland: How Play Made The Modern World, the podcast features conversations about creativity and invention with leading contemporary scientists, programmers, musicians, and more. More info at wonderland.audio.