The Tinker Tank

Jacob Slivka
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Education for Kids
  • Updated Monthly

The Tinker Tank is a curiosity-fueled podcast where Jacob and his dad Russ dive into the wild, weird, and wonderful world of inventors and inventions throughout history. Perfect for families, educators, and lifelong learners, this show blends storytelling, humor, and historical intrigue to spark imaginations of all ages. Whether you're a kid who’s always asking “how does that work?” or a grown-up who secretly dreams of building a time machine in the garage, The Tinker Tank invites you to pull up a stool, grab your goggles, and join the brainstorm.

Episodes

  1. May 10

    Masks, Mummies & Maydays

    In a Tinker Tank / Tattered Timeline collaboration. Three oddball inventions and one unlucky outlaw collide as we explore Elmer McCurdy’s post‑mortem career, the bizarre anti‑eating mask, and the trial‑and‑error birth of the parachute — proof that humans fail boldly, weirdly, and with spectacular commitment.

    34 min

  2. Mar 8

    Sharpen It and Forget It

    John Lee Love’s humble pencil‑sharpening genius collides with Ron Popeil’s over‑the‑top infomercial magic in this delightfully pointy episode. From the quiet crank that kept classrooms on track to the loud pitches that convinced America to “set it and forget it,” we dig into how both men sharpened everyday life—one turn, one gadget, and one dramatic demo at a time.

    28 min

  3. Feb 1

    Mirror Accomplished

    We explore how mirrors shaped self‑perception and how René Dagron shrank images into microfilm, connecting two inventions that changed how we see ourselves—and how we share what we see.

    28 min

  4. 12/10/2025

    Capped Crusaders

    In this offbeat episode, we tip our hats to history’s strangest headgear inventions, before diving into the comic book chaos that birthed Deadpool, the wisecracking “Merc with a Mouth.”

    29 min

  5. 10/03/2025

    Bubble Trouble and Brick Rubble

    In this episode, we snap together the curious world of Henry Cavendish—eccentric scientist, hydrogen pioneer, and gravity whisperer—with the clicky brilliance of Lego.

    29 min

  6. 08/19/2025

    Wheelie Smart

    We spotlight Garrett Morgan, the traffic signal pioneer who helped save lives with a simple stoplight—and a gas mask. Then we roll into the wild world of the monowheel: the one-wheeled wonder that looked futuristic but handled like a circus act. It’s innovation, imagination, and a little bit of imbalance.

    30 min

  7. 08/19/2025

    High-Rise Hiccups

    From fizzy medicine to sky-high baby cages, we dive into two inventions that made history—and raised eyebrows. It's bubbly, bizarre, and brilliantly bonkers.

    28 min
  • 7 Episodes

Ratings & Reviews

About

The Tinker Tank is a curiosity-fueled podcast where Jacob and his dad Russ dive into the wild, weird, and wonderful world of inventors and inventions throughout history. Perfect for families, educators, and lifelong learners, this show blends storytelling, humor, and historical intrigue to spark imaginations of all ages. Whether you're a kid who’s always asking “how does that work?” or a grown-up who secretly dreams of building a time machine in the garage, The Tinker Tank invites you to pull up a stool, grab your goggles, and join the brainstorm.

Information

  • Creator
    Jacob Slivka
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    7
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Jacob Slivka
  • Show Website
    The Tinker Tank