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
Did You Know Assault Drones Were Used in WWII?
November 02, 2015 17:00 - 1 minute VideoIt's 1944, and the U.S. has a new weapon against the Japanese: a remote-controlled assault drone with a video link and the ability to carry a bomb. Here's what it looks like in action.
How the Biggest Airlift in History Saved West Berlin
November 02, 2015 17:00 - 1 minute VideoTo break the Soviet blockade of West Berlin in 1948, General William Tunner ordered his fleet of 225 C-54s to drop supplies into the city -- around 35,000 tons of it a day.
Is Nazi Gold Really Buried in These Hills?
October 26, 2015 16:00 - 4 minutes VideoLocal tales of late-night Nazi expeditions into a remote forest in Germany have spurred a new generation of treasure hunters to step up the search for hidden gold.
A Chinook Takes Fire During a Vietnam Rescue Mission
October 19, 2015 16:00 - 1 minute VideoDuring the Vietnam War, the CH-47 Chinook was known for its aerial mobility -- a key advantage when you're flying low-altitude rescue missions over a hostile jungle.
Can Your Memories Be Altered?
October 19, 2015 16:00 - 2 minutes VideoThe memories our brains can store are remarkable, but not always reliable. Dr. Fiona Gabbert conducts an experiment exploring how our memories morph over time and why that may account for the high number of Loch Ness Monster sightings.
What's This Moschino Collection Worth?
October 12, 2015 16:00 - 4 minutes VideoDoris knows her trove of Moschino pieces is special. But how special? Celebrated designer and Moschino creative director Jeremy Scott gives his take.
This Aircraft Is a Marvel of Electronic Warfare
October 12, 2015 16:00 - 2 minutes VideoThe Boeing EA-18G Growler is not the average warplane. While most military aircraft were built to attack enemies physically, the Growler was created for a very different kind of warfare.
An Intense Blackhawk Rescue Mission in Peril
October 05, 2015 16:00 - 2 minutes VideoDuring this Blackhawk crew's first attempt at rescuing a critically wounded soldier in Afghanistan, the aircraft quickly becomes a target. With a life on the line, the crew thinks of another strategy to bring the wounded soldier to safety.
How the U.S. Government Lost the Smithsonian Fortune
October 05, 2015 16:00 - 2 minutes VideoIn 1829, an English scientist named James Smithson died and left his sizable gold fortune to the U.S. government to create an educational institution. They instead invested in Arkansas and Michigan state bonds.
The Shocking Events Leading Up to Lincoln's Assassination
September 28, 2015 16:00 - 1 minute VideoJohn Wilkes Booth hated Abraham Lincoln due to his stance on slavery. Ironically, Booth's fiancee, Lucy Hale, was the daughter of a high-profile abolitionist senator.
This Is How a No-Fly Zone Actually Gets Enforced
September 28, 2015 16:00 - 2 minutes VideoIn March 2011, the United States implemented a no-fly zone over Libya. To do so, they turned to the Boeing EA-18G Growler to disable enemy radars.
The Mystery Behind Pilot Steve Fossett's Deadly Crash
September 21, 2015 16:00 - 3 minutes VideoWhen famous pilot Steve Fossett crashed into a mountain, it appeared he'd lost control of his plane. One team of scientists set out to test that theory in a cutting-edge wind tunnel facility.
Let This Elephant Be Your Tour Guide
September 21, 2015 16:00The elephant is Thailand's national symbol and can navigate the countryside with ease. Former workers in the logging industry, these giant animals now give tours of beautiful Ko Samui to adventurous... The latest in science, culture, and history from Smithsonian Channel.
A Rare Snorkeling Experience in This Spectacular Pink Beach
September 14, 2015 16:00Pink Beach takes its name from the color of the crushed coral that lines its shores. Beneath the rose-tinged water awaits a dazzling display of vibrant sea life. The latest in science, culture, and history from Smithsonian Channel.
Could Bigfoot Actually Be a Grizzly Bear?
September 14, 2015 16:00 - 3 minutes VideoHundreds of supposed Bigfoot footprints uncovered in the Pacific Northwest have been used as proof of the mythical creature's existence. That habitat is also shared by many bears.
This Bee Works 50 Times Harder than the Honey Bee
September 07, 2015 16:00 - 1 minute VideoUsing blue orchard bees to pollinate crops is an idea with a lot of promise. For one thing, they visit 50 times more flowers than honey bees!
A Film Crew Unleashes 40,000 Killer Bees on Itself
August 31, 2015 16:00 - 3 minutes VideoThe 'Secrets of the Hive' film crew spare no precaution for a daunting task ahead: filming tens of thousands of killer bees, angry at the intrusion into their hive.
The 1960s Conspiracy That Inspired Spielberg
August 31, 2015 16:00 - 4 minutes VideoWhen policemen spotted a "flying saucer" in 1966, an official investigation declared it was an optical illusion created by swamp gas. But some say that's just what the government wanted us to believe.
You've Never Seen This Many Sharks in One Place
August 24, 2015 16:00Every year, thousands of sharks pour in to the waters around the Socorros, for a coordinated summer of feeding -- and none of the other species are safe. The latest in science, culture, and history from Smithsonian Channel.
Surviving a Surface-to-Air Missile Attack in Iraq
August 24, 2015 16:00 - 3 minutes VideoExperience the tense moments after a terrorist group fires a missile at the wings of a DHL Airbus - the first civilian aircraft casualty of the Iraq war.
The Site Where Sharks Have Their Largest Soirees
August 24, 2015 16:00Every year, thousands of sharks pour in to the waters around the Socorros, for a coordinated summer of feeding -- and none of the other species are safe. The latest in science, culture, and history from Smithsonian Channel.
What Secrets Lie in The Hope Diamond?
August 10, 2015 16:00 - 3 minutes VideoSmithsonian scientists use cutting-edge technology to extract atoms from the surface of the Hope Diamond in hopes of unraveling its unique DNA.
The Bond Between Soldiers and Dogs of War
August 10, 2015 16:00 - 2 minutes VideoDogs have a long history of serving their countries as military scouts, rescue dogs, and messengers.
Why Jack the Ripper's Identity May Soon Be Proven
August 03, 2015 16:00 - 4 minutes VideoDespite the length of time that's passed since he first terrorized London, enthusiasm and interest in Jack the Ripper has never been stronger. Which is why we're closer than ever to unmasking him.
Harrowing Accounts from Hiroshima Survivors
August 03, 2015 16:00 - 4 minutes VideoAfter an American B-29 bomber dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima, the explosion instantly killed tens of thousands of people and left many wounded. These survivors recount the horrific aftermath.
Watch a Pair of Polar Bear Buddies Reunite
July 27, 2015 16:00Polar Bears have an undeserved reputation as loners. Not only do they form friendships and spend time together, they even meet up year after year! The latest in science, culture, and history from Smithsonian Channel.
Who Really Invented Monopoly?
July 27, 2015 16:00 - 4 minutes VideoMonopoly, arguably the most-famous board game, was invented by Charles Darrow. But many attribute the original idea to Lizzie Magie, a Quaker and the creator of the Landlord's Game, which bears striking resemblance to its more-popular successor.
An Unexpectedly Adorable Polar Bear Reunion
July 27, 2015 16:00 - 45 seconds VideoPolar Bears have an undeserved reputation as loners. Not only do they form friendships and spend time together, they even meet up year after year!
Amazing: Leopard Rockets Up a Tree to Catch Owls
July 20, 2015 16:00 - 1 minute VideoThirty feet up in a tree, a group of owls are not expecting this four-legged predator to come calling. The lesson here: Never underestimate a leopard's speed and agility.
Your Baby Stroller Was Designed by This Aerospace Engineer
July 20, 2015 16:00 - 4 minutes VideoOwen Maclaren was one of the design engineers of the WWII Spitfire fighter plane. In the 1960s, he applied his knowledge to a very different field: baby buggies.
The Crime of the Century
July 13, 2015 16:00 - 2 minutes VideoFamous architect Stanford White commissioned scandalous portraits of Evelyn Nesbit, driving her husband Henry Thaw to murder.
Ride into Space with This Record-Breaking Amateur Rocket
July 13, 2015 16:00 - 4 minutes VideoIn 2004, the GoFast Rocket set a world record by breaking the space barrier and rising to an altitude of 72 miles. A new team of enthusiasts is trying to beat it, and they've attached a camera for launch.
Is the Inca Maiden the World's Best-Preserved Mummy?
July 06, 2015 16:00 - 4 minutes VideoAt least 500 years old, the Inca maiden found at the top of the Andes is so well-preserved that visitors find themselves whispering, for fear of waking her.
Goliath Tigerfish: The Super-Sized Piranha
July 06, 2015 16:00 - 1 minute VideoImagine crossing a shark with a piranha. That's how one experienced angler describes the "living nightmare" known as the Goliath tigerfish.
Frogsicles: Frozen But Still Alive
June 29, 2015 16:00 - 3 minutes VideoThe wood frog's body makes its own anti-freeze that allows it to survive the winter. The secret ingredient? You'll never guess.
Why the Yellowstone Supervolcano Could Be Huge
June 29, 2015 16:00 - 3 minutes VideoOne of the world's largest supervolcanoes erupted 2.1 million years ago in Yellowstone, and then twice more there at intervals of roughly 660,000 years. Are we due for another one soon?
The Fighter Plane Powerful Enough to Destroy a Satellite in Space
June 22, 2015 16:00 - 3 minutes VideoIn the midst of the Cold War, the U.S. began to develop anti-satellite aircrafts to combat Russia's vast space expansion. This F-15 footage from 1985 is the first time they succeeded.
You Won't Believe What the First Toothbrush Was Made of
June 15, 2015 16:00 - 4 minutes VideoWhen William Addis was sentenced to prison in the late 18th century, he occupied himself with an unheard of task: perfecting the world's first mass-produced toothbrush.
Why Genghis Khan Has 16 Million Living Relatives
June 15, 2015 16:00 - 50 seconds VideoBeyond his vast military conquests, Genghis Khan was concerned with building a genetic dynasty. It began with a harem of 7,000 women.
Why Does This Ancient Corpse Have a Manicure?
June 01, 2015 16:00 - 3 minutes VideoThe bog-preserved corpse of Croghan Man had well-manicured nails and a leather-plated armlet. What could this tell us about his role in an ancient society?
The Rollercoaster Was Invented to Save America from Satan
June 01, 2015 16:00 - 4 minutes VideoIn the 1880s, LaMarcus Thompson was troubled by America's slide into hedonism and immorality. Out of that concern, we got the rollercoaster.
This Frog's Poison Can Kill 10 Men
May 18, 2015 16:00 - 2 minutes VideoThey may be the size of bottle caps, but poison dart frogs store a toxin 200 times stronger than morphine in their skin.
Why the Town of Lalibela is One of Ethiopia's Holiest Sites
May 11, 2015 16:00 - 2 minutes VideoNo one knows for certain why the Lalibela churches share many similarities with Judaism, but scholars propose a handful of holy theories.
A River that Decides Tax Rates
May 04, 2015 16:00 - 2 minutes VideoAfter Muslims conquered Egypt, they build the Nilometer, a tool to measure the country's biggest, wettest source of revenue.
This Sidewinding Snake Slithers at 18 MPH
May 04, 2015 16:00 - 2 minutes VideoReaching speeds up to 18 MPH, the sidewinder slithers rapidly along the desert dunes. The way it buries itself in the sand is even scarier.
Why Vietnam POWs Refused This CIA Rescue Mission
April 27, 2015 16:00 - 3 minutes VideoIn May 1972, the CIA launched Operation Thunderhead to rescue escaped American soldiers from a North Vietnamese prison. Here's why James Bond Stockdale and the other "Hanoi Hilton" POWs decided to shut it down.
This Photograph Could Be Older Than the Camera Obscura
April 27, 2015 16:00 - 3 minutes VideoArt Historian Nicholas Allen has a radical theory about the image on the Shroud of Turin; he believes it was the world's first photograph, taken 500 years before the known invention of photography.
The Scary, Post-Segregation Reality for African Americans
April 20, 2015 16:00After racial discrimination was legally outlawed in 1964, southern public schools began to desegregate, and black students started to learn alongside white students. Now, decades later, meet the men... The latest in science, culture, and history from Smithsonian Channel.
Is This Dolphin Speaking English?
April 20, 2015 16:00 - 1 minute VideoResearcher Margaret Howe's initial focus with Peter the dolphin was teaching him the basics of human conversation: getting him to listen to speech, then encouraging him to "speak."
What It Takes to Truck Oil 14 Hours a Day
April 13, 2015 16:00 - 3 minutes VideoFor hazmat driver Ben Moorhead, a grueling workday starts at the crack of dawn. Here, he walks us through what it's like to transport oil for a living and the science involved in safely testing his precious cargo.