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
Female Mantises Eat and Mate With Their Suitors at Once
June 20, 2016 16:00 - 2 minutes VideoFemale praying mantises engage in what's known as sexual cannibalism. They first eat their suitors, then they mate with them.
Magnificent Leaf Homes Woven by Australian Green Ants
June 13, 2016 16:00 - 2 minutes VideoGreen ants build their grand nests out of leaves, which they pull and join together with silk. Amazingly, this silk is produced by their newborn larvae.
Where Has the Iconic Miracle on Ice Flag Gone?
June 13, 2016 16:00 - 2 minutes VideoIn 1980, the U.S. men's hockey team defeated Russia against all odds and later became gold medalists. But a very iconic piece of sports memorabilia from the championship game has mysteriously vanished.
Was King Tut's Tomb Built for a Woman?
June 06, 2016 16:00 - 3 minutes VideoAn archeologist notes that King Tut's chamber was designed and decorated differently from other Egyptian pharaohs. One theory is that his tomb was originally created for a member of the opposite sex.
How One Man's Rage Sealed The Fate of 43 Plane Passengers
June 06, 2016 16:00 - 3 minutes VideoA murder aboard a commuter jet in December 1987 culminates in a catastrophic crash, bringing investigators from the NTSB and FBI together to search for answers.
This Bug Wears Its Victims' Carcasses as Camouflage
May 30, 2016 16:00 - 1 minute VideoThe assassin bug is one of the most cunning predators in the micro world, gluing the exoskeletons of its prey to its back as camouflage. While disturbing, it's a very effective survival strategy.
How the Fastest Animal on Earth Attacks Its Prey
May 30, 2016 16:00 - 3 minutes VideoThe Peregrine falcon is not your average avian predator. When hunting, this remarkable bird will fly to great heights, then dive bomb its prey abruptly at speeds of up to 242 mph.
How a U.S. Veteran Held off More Than 35 Enemy Soldiers
May 23, 2016 16:00 - 1 minute VideoDuring the Vietnam War, veteran David Larson was helping transport a special ops team into a mission zone when his crew was ambushed. In the midst of a raging shootout, Larson courageously fired back until his companions were safe.
How Psychological Warfare Scared German Troops
May 23, 2016 16:00 - 1 minute VideoDuring WWII, the 1st Special Service Force was an elite unit with a remarkable record of never having lost a battle. Because they were outnumbered, they resorted to vicious psychological tactics to intimidate German troops.
The Secret Behind the Sparkle
May 09, 2016 16:00 - 1 minute VideoTake a look behind the scenes to see how the Smithsonian keeps the ruby slippers sparkling in the spotlight.
Braveheart Was Much More Than an Average Joe
May 03, 2016 16:00 - 4 minutes VideoRecently discovered clues to the true identity of William "Braveheart" Wallace may prove that the hero's story wasn't exactly as the movie depicted.
Flamethrower vs. Spider Trench
May 02, 2016 16:00 - 2 minutes VideoDuring WWII, spider trenches, bunkers dug into the jungle, provided battle cover for the Japanese. These holes were highly effective in protecting soldiers from most U.S. weapons... except one.
Why This Hiroshima Survivor Believes in Forgiveness
April 11, 2016 16:00 - 3 minutes VideoDespite the devastating events of 1945, some Japanese survivors now look to promote peace and forgiveness. One man who lived through Hiroshima explains his philosophy.
The Woman That Swept Lou Gehrig Off His Feet
April 11, 2016 16:00 - 2 minutes VideoWhen Lou Gehrig met Eleanor Twitchell at a Yankees party, he saw in her something he desperately needed. That's why he wasted no time courting her.
Hank Aaron's Boundary-Shattering 715th Home Run
April 04, 2016 16:00 - 3 minutes VideoIn 1974, Hank Aaron was closing in on Babe Ruth's all-time home run record. But in the run up to this amazing feat, he faced a number of racially motivated threats. Here, we examine what breaking that record meant.
Slo-Mo Footage of a Bumble Bee Dislodging Pollen
April 04, 2016 16:00 - 1 minute VideoBuzz pollination is a special technique for dislodging pollen from certain types of plants - and bumble bees are among the few species of bee capable of doing it.
Why You Should Take the Honey Bee Shortage Seriously
March 28, 2016 16:00 - 2 minutes VideoOur entire agricultural system relies on the wellbeing of honey bees. And for them to do well, they need diverse vegetation, not just farmland.
Are Alpha Male Elephants Gentler Than We Thought?
March 21, 2016 16:00 - 3 minutes VideoWhen the lead bull of an elephant herd goes missing, the group is thrust into chaos. In order to restore the peace, a new elephant king must be crowned.
Here's a Glimpse of What American Life Used to Be
March 21, 2016 16:00 - 1 minute VideoTucked away from modernity, New Castle gives us a glimpse of what American life used to look like.
Investigating How Mt. Vesuvius's Victims Died
March 14, 2016 16:00 - 4 minutes VideoThe Herculaneum victims were thought to have died from volcanic gas asphyxiation. But a closer look at their skeletons suggests the gas may have killed them in a different way.
Baby Humpbacks Need 150 Gallons of Whale Milk a Day
March 14, 2016 16:00Whale milk is some of the richest milk available to any mammal. A baby whale will drink 150 gallons of it a day to sustain its dramatic growth. The latest in science, culture, and history from Smithsonian Channel.
These Adorable Foxes Are Ruthless Hunters
March 07, 2016 17:00 - 1 minute VideoIn summer, Arctic foxes shed their white coats in order to blend in. This gives them a natural advantage when hunting for their favorite food: fresh goslings.
Why You Should Avoid the Arctic in Summer
February 29, 2016 17:00 - 58 seconds VideoThere's one thing most Arctic wildlife have in common during the summer: a shared hatred for the mosquitoes and black flies that swarm the region.
Meet the First Self-Made Female Millionaire
February 22, 2016 17:00 - 4 minutes VideoMadam C.J. Walker was suffering from poverty and hair loss when she decided to concoct a hair regrowth lotion to heal her damaged scalp. Fast forward a handful of years and millions of dollars later, Walker was leading one of the most successful, and philanthropic, cosmetic companies to date.
Polar Bear Carcass-Eating Etiquette
February 22, 2016 17:00 - 2 minutes VideoA dead whale on the shore is an ample feast for several polar bears drawn to the smell. But the rules are simple: The biggest bear gets the biggest share.
The Affair that Financially Ruined Gloria Swanson
February 15, 2016 17:00 - 4 minutes VideoIn 1927, Joe Kennedy teamed up with silent film star Gloria Swanson to produce films together. Within three years, he'd broken up her marriage, abandoned their shared business, and ruined her financially.
This Color-Changing Mutant Has Three Hearts
February 08, 2016 17:00 - 3 minutes VideoThe cuttlefish has the largest brain-to-body ratio of all invertebrates, which explains why its camouflage is so intricate and masterful.
Hitler and Eva Braun's Disturbing Wedding
February 08, 2016 17:00 - 6 minutes VideoFor 14 years, Hitler refused to marry his mistress Eva Braun, fearing it would alienate his female fans. Toward the end of his reign, he changed his mind--but their wedding came with a sinister caveat.
Incredible: A Caracal Slaps Down a Bird in Flight
February 01, 2016 17:00 - 3 minutes VideoThe caracal is a fierce and agile predator. And the way it pursues airborne prey is astounding.
High Speed Footage of Samurai Instincts
February 01, 2016 17:00 - 1 minute VideoGrand Master Tanaka's students must learn to react to attacks in the blink of an eye.
This Inventor Risked His Life on His Own Invention
January 25, 2016 17:00 - 4 minutes VideoIn 1916, 32 men were trapped in a mine near Lake Erie. Garrett Morgan saw an opportunity to prove his fireproof hood worked - and went in to rescue them.
The Real Hateful Whale that Haunted Melville
January 25, 2016 17:00At the age of 22, Herman Melville joined a whale ship bound for the South Pacific. Aboard, he's lent a copy of "Shipwreck of the Whale-Ship Essex," a true story about a vengeful whale that will... The latest in science, culture, and history from Smithsonian Channel.
Why Would Someone Fake a Mummy's Gun Wound?
January 18, 2016 17:00 - 4 minutes VideoLate 19th-century sideshows specialized in curiosities like mummies to attract crowds. And curiosities didn't come bigger than Sylvester, who was supposedly killed in a gunfight.
Ridiculous Planthopper Nymphs in Action
January 11, 2016 17:00 - 43 seconds VideoThese snowflake-like creatures seem almost lifeless from afar. Get closer, and it's a completely different story.
MLK's Last Speech
January 11, 2016 17:00 - 2 minutes Video"I've seen the Promised Land," Martin Luther King Jr. said in a speech in Memphis on April 3, 1968. He was assassinated the following day.
Why Did This Flight Crash? Listen to Its Engine...
January 04, 2016 17:00 - 3 minutes VideoBy listening to cockpit recordings taken before Air Florida Flight 90 crashed, investigators can assess the sounds of the plane's engines. The results are telling.
The Dangers, Profits, and Effects of Fracking
January 04, 2016 17:00 - 1 minute VideoExperience the Bakken oil boom through the eyes of the people involved in this modern-day "gold rush."
Why Few Survive a Climb Up Alaska's Frigid Denali
December 28, 2015 17:00 - 2 minutes VideoFor many climbers, Mt. McKinley presents the alluring chance to reach the top of our continent. But the dangers involved in doing so are very real and sometimes very sudden.
A Pilot Risks His Career to Report a UFO
December 14, 2015 17:00 - 3 minutes VideoFor a pilot, filing a UFO report can potentially hurt one's career. That didn't stop the captain of Aurigny Flight 544 from reporting what he saw en route to Alderney.
Why Would a Race Car Driver Ever Invent Speeding Cameras?
December 14, 2015 17:00 - 3 minutes VideoThe irony of speeding cameras is that they were invented by a Dutch race car driver - former Monte Carlo Rally winner Maurice Gatsonides. Here's why.
How Was Hitler's Enigma Machine Cracked?
December 07, 2015 17:00 - 2 minutes VideoDuring WWII, an elite team of British codebreakers, including Alan Turing and Gordon Welchman, were tasked with cracking one of the most complex secret communication systems in existence: Hitler's Enigma.
What's Powerful Enough to Disrupt Evolution?
December 07, 2015 17:00 - 2 minutes VideoThe Solomon Islands are an evolutionary scientist's dream, but something has disrupted the way evolution occurs there.
Was the Krak des Chevaliers Castle Entrance a Lethal Trap?
November 23, 2015 17:00 - 3 minutes VideoLocated on a 2,000 foot ridge overlooking the Syrian plains, this medieval fortress combined Eastern and Western architecture to create the ultimate defense.
Amazing Archival Footage of Parachuting Military Dogs
November 23, 2015 17:00 - 58 seconds VideoSince WWII, the U.S. military has trained dogs to become some of their most useful soldiers. Shot in 1948, this incredible footage shows paratroop dogs landing in the Arctic to learn how to rescue plane crash victims.
Even Lincoln Jumped Careers Before Choosing Politics
November 16, 2015 17:00 - 3 minutes VideoLincoln's path to the presidency was beset by uncertainty. He tried his hand at being a soldier, a postmaster and a lawyer, before drifting into politics.
Is This UFO Photo Real? An Expert Weighs In.
November 16, 2015 17:00 - 2 minutes VideoA photographic negative of what's believed to be UFO activity during the Battle of Los Angeles is sent for forensic analysis. But the expert's verdict raises more question than it answers.
Hozier on His Biggest Musical Influence
November 09, 2015 17:00 - 1 minute Video'Work Song' and 'Take Me to Church' singer Hozier gives a candid interview on how his unique musical style came to be.
Microdots: The CIA's Tiny Secret-Message Holders
November 09, 2015 17:00 - 2 minutes VideoIn 1971, the CIA sent coded messages to the Hanoi Hilton's prisoners of war through powdered-drink packages. How they hid these cryptic messages was quite ingenious.
How Waves Could've Created the Loch Ness Monster
November 02, 2015 17:00 - 2 minutes VideoDespite very little scientific evidence supporting the Loch Ness Monster's existence, people routinely report it surfacing from the water. Dr. Tom Davey believes waves may be responsible for this phenomenon. Watch him test this hypothesis out with a state-of-the-art wave pool.
Does This Wild West Mummy Have a Secret?
November 02, 2015 17:00 - 4 minutes VideoThe mummified body of Sylvester the gunslinger is in remarkable condition with every minor detail preserved. The same, however, can't be said for his origins.