Smithsonian Channel Pick of the Week
529 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 4 years ago - ★★★★ - 31 ratingsThe latest in science, culture, and history from Smithsonian Channel.
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Episodes
The Nazi Engineer Who Created the First Ballistic Missile
January 30, 2017 17:00 - 1 minute VideoWernher Von Braun became interested in space flight from an early age. This passion would lead him to become a key figure in the development of one of the Nazi's most devastating weapon: the V2 rocket.
An Angry Hippo Charges a Trespassing Lion
January 30, 2017 17:00 - 2 minutes VideoA lion ventures into an area of the river that's part of a hippo bull's territory. The enraged hippo wastes no time in asserting his dominance.
Hippo Climbs Down a Steep Cliff...With Difficulty
January 23, 2017 17:00 - 2 minutes VideoA 15-foot male hippo carefully negotiates his enormous body down a sheer cliff. It's the shortest and most direct route to the water--and he's not one to back down from a challenge.
Yes, Spiders Eat Spiders
January 16, 2017 17:00 - 4 minutes VideoPortia spiders, known for their remarkable intelligence, have some of the most astonishing hunting skills in the arthropod community. That community also happens to be their prey.
Why Tomb Raiders Treated This Priceless Gem Like Trash
January 09, 2017 17:00 - 1 minute VideoWhy would grave robbers break into the King of Xuzhou's tomb and leave its most priceless jade treasure behind? The answer may lie in the precious stone's status as currency in ancient China.
Black-Footed Ferrets Get a Second Chance at Life
January 09, 2017 17:00These baby black-footed ferrets are nothing short of a miracle. After their population dipped to only 18 individuals, veterinarians embarked on an uphill battle to save the species from extinction. The latest in science, culture, and history from Smithsonian Channel.
The Typos on This Dead Sea Scroll Don't Mean It's Fake
January 09, 2017 17:00 - 2 minutes VideoWhen the Dead Sea copper scroll was unveiled, doubts were quickly raised about its authenticity. For one thing, it was riddled with spelling errors.
Fascinating: ALMA Reveals Planets Born Earlier Than We Thought
December 26, 2016 17:00In 2014, astronomer David Wilmer aimed the ALMA Array at a young star 450 light years away. What he found proved that planets formed billions of years earlier than what scientists originally... The latest in science, culture, and history from Smithsonian Channel.
A Hungry Snake Finds a Whole Colony of Sociable Weavers
December 19, 2016 17:00 - 1 minute VideoNesting in close proximity to each other has a lot of advantages for sociable weavers. But if a predator like this venomous boomslang discovers the nests, he can wipe out the entire colony's brood in hours.
How Easy Company Incredibly Captured Two German Howitzers
December 19, 2016 17:00 - 3 minutes VideoDuring the D-Day invasion, Easy Company took a beating as they moved in on two German howitzers threatening advancing U.S. troops. How they rebounded to capture them is legendary.
What Being in a Submarine Under Attack Would Be Like
December 12, 2016 17:00 - 4 minutes VideoTo evade a Japanese destroyer, the USS Tang goes into a sudden dive in shallow waters. As the depth charges explode around them, the crew know full well their chances of survival are slim.
Star Trek's Nichelle Nichols on Uhura's Radical Impact
December 05, 2016 17:00 - 4 minutes VideoStar Trek's decision to cast Nichelle Nichols, an African American woman, as major character on the show was an almost unheard-of move in 1968. But for black women all over the country, it redefined the notions of what was possible.
Were the Women of Petra More Important Than Men?
December 05, 2016 17:00 - 3 minutes VideoThe Nabataeans worshipped powerful female deities and built lavish shrines in their honor. Could this religious order be a clue into the elevated status of women in Petra?
This Paratrooper's Jump Into Enemy Territory Was a Disaster
November 28, 2016 17:00 - 3 minutes VideoFor Easy Company paratrooper Buck Compton, the mission into occupied Normandy started off disastrously. It was his first ever combat jump and he'd lost his equipment bag on the way down, all with thousands of German bullets whizzing by.
Two Giant Killer Hornet Colonies Fight to the Death
November 28, 2016 17:00 - 3 minutes VideoA giant killer hornet war is waged between two colonies, and the resources, territories, and survival of a new generation are at stake. Watch the battle unfold as these huge hornets risk their lives for their kingdoms.
How the Thinnest Burmese Gold Leaf Is Made
November 21, 2016 17:00 - 1 minute VideoIn Burma, goldworking skills have been passed down over generations. Here's a look at the painstaking process required to produce the fine gold leaf that's sold near temples for devotional gilding.
What Gladiator School Was Like
November 21, 2016 17:00 - 2 minutes VideoIt's uncertain whether gladiator school was run like a prison or was completely voluntary. However, a reasonable amount of comfort was provided alongside strict training. Spectators wanted to see muscular men, which required a healthy diet and constant exercise.
Could You Carry 100 Pounds of Patrol Gear?
November 14, 2016 17:00 - 2 minutes VideoVietnam War infantry soldiers had to carry 80-100 lbs. of gear amid hot, humid, and dangerous surroundings. 'The Weapon Hunter' host Paul Shull gets a taste of that grueling experience.
Did Atlantis Really Have Indoor Plumbing?
November 14, 2016 17:00 - 3 minutes VideoIn 1967, archeologists discovered Akrotiri, an ancient city buried beneath Santorini. It may be the missing city of Atlantis, as well as the origin of the modern toilet.
Mary Beard on Pompeii's Showiest Family
November 07, 2016 17:00 - 2 minutes VideoThe Valentes were a wealthy family in Pompeii that used lavish, high-end parties to gain political clout. Classicist Mary Beard walks us through the remains of their opulent home and imagines what an evening in their company would be like.
What Really Happened to Wilt Chamberlain's 100-Point Ball?
October 31, 2016 16:00 - 3 minutes VideoAn NBA expert has interviewed over 150 people in a quest to track down the ball used in Wilt Chamberlain's 1962 100-point game. But his findings only produce more questions.
Could Star Trek's Invisibility Cloak Become a Reality?
October 24, 2016 16:00 - 3 minutes VideoOn Star Trek, the Romulans possess a cloaking device that renders its ship, the Bird-of-Prey, invisible. Now, years later, a group of scientists may have found a way to turn this technology into reality.
Cameras Capture a Hornet Hatching Up-Close
October 24, 2016 16:00 - 2 minutes VideoAfter two weeks of encasement, it's time for the larvae, now adult hornets, to leave their silk cocoons. Get an intimate look at the moment one hatches and begins to experience life in its shiny new form.
Laser Scientists Are Developing Star Trek's Phaser
October 17, 2016 16:00 - 3 minutes VideoSome of the technology from Star Trek is already coming to life in the Lockheed Martin lab. One high-energy laser beam, similar to the phaser from the series, can even track and destroy rockets.
Wu Zetian's Bold Move at the Spectacular Longmen Grottoes
October 03, 2016 16:00 - 2 minutes VideoThe Longmen Grottoes remain one of the most sacred places in China. Which is why they were a perfect place for Wu Zetian, the country's first female ruler, to make a statement about her power.
Why Do Giraffes Have Patches?
October 03, 2016 16:00 - 1 minute VideoThe dark patches on a giraffe's body hide an intricate network of blood vessels and glands. These allow blood to flow through them, releasing heat and cooling the body.
Was Greek Goddess Aphrodite Inspired by Eastern Ideas?
September 26, 2016 16:00 - 1 minute VideoAphrodite is known as one of the greatest Greek goddesses. But, based off archaeological findings, she may have been inspired by Eastern civilization.
How to Unroll a Dead Sea Scroll Without Destroying It
September 26, 2016 16:00 - 2 minutes VideoIn 1952, a remarkable copper scroll was uncovered by archaeologists near the Dead Sea. It would take four years for scientists to agree on a way to open it.
The Injury That Almost Ruined Secretariat's Triple Crown
September 19, 2016 16:00 - 1 minute VideoIn 1973, Secretariat was widely tipped to become the first Triple Crown winner since 1948--until an abscess in his upper lip threatened to wreck his chances.
Pompeii's Graffiti: An Ancient Form of Social Media
September 12, 2016 16:00 - 1 minute VideoIn a way, the graffiti left over from the ancient residents of Pompeii reveals more than just the handwriting and sketching styles of a lost civilization. Archaeologist Katherine Huntley reads between the lines.
Why Pauline de Rothschild Had the Best Taste
September 05, 2016 16:00 - 2 minutes VideoPauline de Rothschild brought sophistication and flair to every aspect of her marriage--this included completely transforming her husband's famous home: Chateau Moutin.
Lou Gehrig's Toughest Day in Yankee Stadium
September 05, 2016 16:00 - 4 minutes VideoLou Gehrig faced ALS with courage and dignity. When it was time to retire at Yankee stadium, he faced what was arguably another giant challenge for him: being honored.
The Real Way Komodo Dragons Kill Prey
August 29, 2016 16:00 - 2 minutes VideoKomodo dragons aren't physically built to chase after their prey. Remarkably, they've mastered the technique of stalking, biting, and secreting deadly venom in them.
Hammerhead vs. Stingray
August 22, 2016 16:00 - 2 minutes VideoA hammerhead shark locates a stingray hiding beneath the ocean floor. Unnerved, the stingray makes a dash for freedom--but is it too late?
These Snake Bite Wound Photos Are Not for the Squeamish
August 22, 2016 16:00 - 2 minutes VideoWhile puff adder bites can cause immense pain, inflammation, and relentless bleeding, a gaboon viper does the same--only faster and with the ability to attack more of its victims' vital organs.
General Lee's Personal Connection to Arlington Cemetery
August 15, 2016 16:00 - 2 minutes VideoAt the end of the Civil War, both Union and Confederate soldiers were buried in Arlington. This laid the groundwork for a truly national cemetery.
How Did a Grizzly Bear Get on California's Flag?
August 15, 2016 16:00 - 3 minutes VideoAs more and more settlers began to pour into California throughout the 1840s, the local Mexican authorities regarded them with suspicion. This would set off a chain of events culminating in the Bear Flag Revolt.
Bat-Eared Foxes Can Astoundingly Hear Insects Digging Underground
August 15, 2016 16:00 - 3 minutes VideoEnormous ears magnify the sound of the bat-eared foxes preferred prey-termites.
The Stealthy U-Boat Attack That Crippled Britain
August 05, 2016 16:00 - 3 minutes VideoUnder the cover of night in October 1940, German U-99 submarines ambushed an Allied convoy en route to Britain with supplies. Beyond the tragic aftermath, this stealthy strategy had a lasting impact on nautical warfare.
Zorro Wasn't Mexican or Spanish, But...Irish?
July 25, 2016 16:00 - 2 minutes VideoRecords reveal that one inspiration for the character of Zorro, a William Lamport who attempted to start a revolution in Mexico, was not Mexican or Spanish, but Irish.
The Best Rock Pillar for Sport Climbing
July 25, 2016 16:00 - 2 minutes VideoFirst conquered in 1992, the climb up the east side of a 300-foot rock pillar named "Monkey Face" has become the ultimate rock-climbing challenge.
Does 'The Last Supper' Really Have a Hidden Meaning?
July 18, 2016 16:00 - 3 minutes VideoDa Vinci's The Last Supper plays a key role in the 2006 blockbuster hit The Da Vinci Code. Although the film's claims are more fiction than fact, could the painting actually contain a message from Leonardo?
Did Muhammad Ali Throw His Gold Medal Into the Ohio River?
July 18, 2016 16:00 - 1 minute VideoIs it true that boxing legend Muhammad Ali threw his Olympic gold medal into the Ohio River out of frustration after a racist encounter? A childhood friend weighs in on a story that has become part of the champion's lore.
Can Tree Rings Explain the Demise of a Lost Civilization?
July 11, 2016 16:00 - 2 minutes VideoArchaeologists believe the sudden destruction of a pre-Columbian civilization found in southern Illinois occurred around 1150 AD. But to find the cause of such upheaval, they look to the surrounding trees.
This Is Martha, the World's Last-Known Passenger Pigeon
July 11, 2016 16:00 - 2 minutes VideoSmithsonian's National Museum of Natural History houses one of largest bird collections in the world. One of their most prized birds, Martha, was the last passenger pigeon to ever fly.
Muhammad Ali's Brother on Racism and the Medal Myth
July 04, 2016 16:00 - 1 minute VideoStill fresh from his Olympic win, boxing legend Muhammad Ali was, incredibly, turned away from a restaurant in his hometown that didn't serve African Americans. The champ's own brother recalls that fateful day.
The Greatest Sports Moment in Los Angeles History
July 04, 2016 16:00 - 2 minutes VideoWhen Kirk Gibson signed with the Dodgers in 1988, fans had few reasons to be optimistic. Little did they suspect, he would take them to the World Series and make one of the most miraculous plays Los Angeles has ever seen.
Jason Isbell Hears the Lost Lyrics to 'This Land Is Your Land'
June 27, 2016 16:00 - 3 minutes VideoWoody Guthrie captured the promise and frustration of the America he once knew in his famous song 'This Land Is Your Land.' Watch as country singer Jason Isbell learns the song's missing lyrics and pays tribute to the folk legend.
Why This Pharaoh Is Considered Egypt's Greatest
June 27, 2016 16:00 - 2 minutes VideoRamesses II is thought of as ancient Egypt's greatest pharaoh. His importance is reflected in the size and scale of his magnificent funerary temple, in Luxor.
Why You Should Know the Prolific Princess of Paleontology
June 20, 2016 16:00 - 3 minutes VideoMary Anning was a 19th-century working-class woman from Dorset with no formal education. She became one of the most celebrated fossil collectors in history.