America: Innovation Nation

America: Innovation Nation

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Join us for a shameless celebration of America’s brightest and best. In 2016, The Takeaway led a search for America’s greatest innovation. In this special podcast, we introduce you the nation’s top ten innovations. Here’s what you’ll find: 

  • Innovation 1 - The Electric Guitar. Championed by Vernon Reid, guitarist, songwriter, composer, and founder of the rock band Living Colour.   
  • How Innovation Changes Music - Storm Gloor and Benom Plumb are both part of the department of music and entertainment industry studies at the University of Colorado, Denver. Between the two of them. they have more than 20 years of experience in the music industry. They look at pivotal music moments, how America’s ability to innovate musically compares with other countries, and how new technology has impacted the industry.
  • Innovation 2 - Kevlar. Ray Kelly, the former commissioner of the New York City Police Department, makes the case.
  • Innovation 3 - The Hearing Aid. Richard Einhornan American composer, says the hearing aid has changed his life and improved the quality of life for millions of others. 
  • Hillary Clinton’s Innovation Visionary - Alec Ross was senior adviser on innovation for Hillary Clinton when she was secretary of state. A brand new position designed to find out-of-the-box solutions to the world’s problems. 
  • Innovation 6 - The 3-D Printer. Colin Consavage, an 11-year-old kid who made his own prosthetic hand with a 3D printer.
  • Innovation 7 - GPS. Chris Catrambone, an American entrepreneur that is rescuing migrants and refugees in the Mediterranean Sea, makes his case for why the GPS is America’s greatest innovation.
  • I’m Not All Right Jack. Following rumors that the iPhone 7 won’t have the usual headphone mini-jack, a conversation about whether its wise to throw out the old ideas for the new with Leander Kahney, editor and publisher of the blog Cult of Mac.
  • Innovation 10 - The Transistor. This one topped the listener poll and went on to win! Kevin Kelly, co-founder of WIRED Magazine, makes his pitch on your behalf.