20 episodes

Take a light hearted look at the world of tech, science, and sci-fi. Special interviews with industry notables. Feed Your Inner Geek!

Technorama Chuck Tomasi and Kreg Steppe

    • News
    • 4.9 • 34 Ratings

Take a light hearted look at the world of tech, science, and sci-fi. Special interviews with industry notables. Feed Your Inner Geek!

    Episode 740: Task Failed Successfully

    Episode 740: Task Failed Successfully

     

    Listen below with the audio player or Click Here for complete show notes and video from the show.







    Feedback



    QOTW: What seems to be overpriced, but in reality is 100% worth it?

    Voicemail from Krazy Joe

    Email from Dave



    Hi,

    I agree with Kreg, John Carter of Mars isn’t a terrible movie… I’d heard it had poor reviews before watching, but really enjoyed it.

    Regarding Kreg’s review of The Tourist.

    My feelings about the main character was flipped during the last episode, but having watched and enjoyed season two (small spoiler… the last 30 seconds of season two does it again).

    If you have time, I’d still recommend watching season two.

    On This Day In History for April 17, 2024

    This is the 108th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. There are 258 days remaining in 2024.



    It was on this date in 1492, that Spain and Christopher Columbus signed the Capitulations of Santa Fe for his voyage to Asia to acquire spices.

    503 years ago today,  the trial of Martin Luther over his teachings began during the assembly of the Diet of Worms. Initially intimidated, he asks for time to reflect before answering and is given a stay of one day.

    April 17, 1524, Giovanni da Verrazzano reached New York Harbor.

    The Ellis Island immigration center processed 11,747 people, more than on any other day on this date in 1907.

    Also on April 17, 1951, The Peak District became the United Kingdom’s first National Park.

    It was on this date in 1961, that a group of Cuban exiles financed and trained by the CIA lands at the Bay of Pigs in Cuba with the aim of ousting Fidel Castro – known as the Bay of Pigs invasion.

    That same date in 1969, Sirhan Sirhan was convicted of assassinating Robert F. Kennedy.

    The damaged Apollo 13 spacecraft returned to Earth safely on this date in 1970.

    Also today in 2014, NASA’s Kepler space telescope confirmed the discovery of the first Earth-size planet in the habitable zone of another star.



    Happy birthday goes out on this date to:



    Italian priest and astronomer, Giovanni Battista Riccioli, born on this date in 1598.

    Carl Friedrich Philipp von Martius, the German botanist and explorer was born 230 years ago today.

    French mathematician and academic, Étienne Bobillier was born 226 years ago today.

    J. P. Morgan, the American banker and financier, founded J.P. Morgan & Co. was born 187 years ago today.

    Augustus Edward Hough Love, English mathematician and theorist was born on that same date in 1863.

    Spanish-American ventriloquist, Señor Wences, born on this date in 1896.

    Sidney Garfield, American physician, co-founded Kaiser Permanente was born on that same date in 1906.

    Also born on that same date in 1936,  Swiss chemist, Urs Wild.

    Czech pianist, composer, and producer, Jan Hammer, born on this date in 1948.



    Listener Birthdays



    19 – Amanda (SusietheGeek’s daughter & Geek in Training)

    21 – Kim and Kreg’s Anniversary



    And that’s the way it was, on this day in history for April 17, 2024



    If you want to get on the Technorama Birthday Calendar, visit our website and look for the Birthday Calendar link.



    News



    Scientists created a black hole in lab to test a theory, then it started glowing extremely bright – Good

    a href="https://www.unilad.com/technology/space/nasa-mars-helicopter-ingenuity-ot...

    • 47 min
    Episode 739: Technorama is an inside job

    Episode 739: Technorama is an inside job

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    QOTW: What is something that you think shouldn’t exist?



    On This Day In History for April 10, 2024

    This is the 101st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. There are 265 days remaining in 2024.



    It was on this date in 837, that Halley’s Comet made its closest approach to Earth at a distance equal to 0.0342 AU (5.1 million kilometers/3.2 million miles).

    On April 10, 1606, The Virginia Company of London was established by royal charter by James I of England with the purpose of establishing colonial settlements in North America.

    Also today in 1710, The Statute of Anne, the first law regulating copyright, came into force in Great Britain.

    It was on this date in 1858, that after the original Big Ben, a 14.5 tonnes (32,000 lb) bell for the Palace of Westminster, had cracked during testing, it was recast into the current 13.76 tonnes (30,300 lb) bell by Whitechapel Bell Foundry.

    It was 158 years ago today that The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) was founded in New York City by Henry Bergh.

    It was on this date in 1872, that The first Arbor Day was celebrated in Nebraska.

    That same date in 1912, RMS Titanic set sail from Southampton, England on her maiden and only voyage.

    April 10, 1916, The Professional Golfers’ Association of America (PGA) was created in New York City.

    It was on this date in 1925, that The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald was first published in New York City, by Charles Scribner’s Sons.

    It was 85 years ago today that Alcoholics Anonymous, A.A.’s “Big Book”, was first published.

    54 years ago today, Paul McCartney announced that he was leaving The Beatles for personal and professional reasons.

    Also on April 10, 2019, Scientists from the Event Horizon Telescope project announced the first ever image of a black hole, which was located in the center of the M87 galaxy.



    Happy birthday goes out on this date to:



    German mathematician, physicist, and physician, Ehrenfried Walther von Tschirnhaus, born on this date in 1651.

    John Whitehurst, English geologist and clockmaker was born on that same date in 1713.

    Born April 10, 1762, Italian physicist and academic Giovanni Aldini.

    Arnold Orville Beckman, the American chemist, inventor, and philanthropist was born 124 years ago today.

    American chemist and academic, Nobel Prize laureate, Robert Burns Woodward was born 107 years ago today.

    Born April 10, 1927, American biochemist and geneticist, Nobel Prize laureate Marshall Warren Nirenberg.

    Egyptian actor and screenwriter, Omar Sharif, born on this date in 1932.

    Also turning 68 today is English chemist and academic Carol V. Robinson.

    English computer scientist and academic, Carole Goble, born on this date in 1961.

    Also turning 56 today is American actor, producer, and screenwriter Orlando Jones.



    Listener Birthdays



    14 – Danny Harnish

    16 – Donna Tomasi



    And that’s the way it was, on this day in history for April 10, 2024



    If you want to get on the Technorama Birthday Calendar, visit our website and look for the Birthday Calendar link.



    News



    NASA investigates whether debris that struck Florida home fell from space – The Washington Post

    • 50 min
    Episode 738: No Joke

    Episode 738: No Joke

    Listen below with the audio player or Click Here for complete show notes and video from the show.





    Reuters covered one of our stories…

    Dogs can associate words with objects, study finds | Reuters

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    QOTW: What is your favorite terrible movie?



    On This Day In History for April 3, 2024

    This is the 94th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. There are 272 days remaining in 2024.



    It was on this date in 1860, the first successful United States Pony Express run from St. Joseph, Missouri, to Sacramento, California, began.

    139 years ago today, Gottlieb Daimler was granted a German patent for a light, high-speed, four-stroke engine, which he used seven months later to create the world’s first motorcycle, the Daimler Reitwagen.

    On April 3, 1933, was the first flight over Mount Everest, by the British Houston-Mount Everest Flight Expedition, led by the Marquis of Clydesdale and funded by Lucy, Lady Houston.

    It was on that same date in 1973 that Martin Cooper of Motorola made the first handheld mobile phone call to Joel S. Engel of Bell Labs.

    It was on this date in 1975, that Bobby Fischer refused to play in a chess match against Anatoly Karpov, giving Karpov the title of World Champion by default.

    It was also this date in 1981 that The Osborne 1, the first successful portable computer, was unveiled at the West Coast Computer Faire in San Francisco.

    It was 28 years ago today that Suspected “Unabomber” Theodore Kaczynski was captured at his Montana cabin in the United States.

    It was on this date in 2000, in the court case United States v. Microsoft Corp.: Microsoft was ruled to have violated United States antitrust law by keeping “an oppressive thumb” on its competitors.

    On April 3, 2010, Apple Inc. released the first generation iPad, a tablet computer.



    Happy birthday goes out on this date to:



    German mathematician and astronomer, Michael Neander, born on this date in 1529.

    William Watson, English physician, physicist, and botanist was born on that same date in 1715.

    Pierre Bretonneau, the French doctor who performed the first successful tracheotomy was born 246 years ago today.

    Also born on that same date in 1798, American admiral, geographer, and explorer (d.1877), Charles Wilkes.

    Bud Fisher, the American cartoonist was born 139 years ago today.

    American publisher, co-founded Time magazine, Henry Luce was born 126 years ago today.

    Born April 3, 1909, Polish-American mathematician and academic Stanislaw Ulam.

    American colonel, pilot, and astronaut, Gus Grissom was born 98 years ago today.

    Bangladeshi engineer and architect, co-designed the Willis Tower and John Hancock Center, Fazlur Rahman Khan, born on this date in 1929.

    American actor and comedian, Eddie Murphy is 63 today.



    Listener Birthdays



    4 – Brian K

    4 – Joel McLaughlin (aka Gorkon)

    4 – Amy Bowen

    5 – Chad Davis, Jon Issler (hsteckylf)

    5 – Griffin Sylvester (Ildreancipher)

    5 – Martine Tysmans – citytrips, travelling, jokes… (in Dutch)

    5 – Ringmaster Greg from Dancing With Elephants

    6 – Trevor Litecky (future Geek)

    6 – Samwise Gamgee

    7 – P.C. Haring



    And that’s the way it was, on this day in history for April  3, 2024



    If you want to get on the Technorama Birthday Calendar, visit our website and look for the Birthday Calendar link...

    • 1 hr 7 min
    Episode 737: Catacoustics

    Episode 737: Catacoustics

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    QOTW: What movie would be the most improved if you add “vs Predator” to the title?



    On This Day In History for March 27, 2024

    This is the 87th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. There are 279 days remaining in 2024.



    It was on this date in 1513, that Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de León reached the northern end of The Bahamas on his first voyage to Florida.

    On March 27, 1886, Geronimo, Apache warrior, surrendered to the U.S. Army, ending the main phase of the Apache Wars.

    It was 112 years ago today that First Lady Helen Taft and the Viscountess Chinda, wife of the Japanese ambassador, planted two Yoshino cherry trees on the northern bank of the Potomac River in Washington, D.C., the origin of the National Cherry Blossom Festival.

    Also today in 1915, Typhoid Mary, the first healthy carrier of disease ever identified in the United States, was put in quarantine for the second time, where she would remain for the rest of her life

    It was 60 years ago today, that The Good Friday earthquake, the most powerful earthquake recorded in North American history at a magnitude of 9.2 struck Southcentral Alaska, killing 125 people and inflicting massive damage to the city of Anchorage

    That same date in 1975, Construction of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System began.

    It was 48 years ago today that The first section of the Washington Metro opened to the public.

    Also on March 27, 1998, The Food and Drug Administration approved Viagra for use as a treatment for erectile dysfunction, the first pill to be approved for this condition in the United States



    Happy birthday goes out on this date to:



    French engineer, urban planner, and politician, Georges-Eugène Haussmann, born on this date in 1809.

    Edward Augustus Inglefield, the English admiral and explorer was born 204 years ago today.

    Born March 27, 1844, American general and explorer, Medal of Honor recipient Adolphus Greely.

    German physicist and academic, Nobel Prize laureate, Wilhelm Röntgen was born 179 years ago today.

    Born March 27, 1847, German chemist and academic, Nobel Prize laureate Otto Wallach.

    American target shooter, colonel, mountaineer, geographer, geologist, and archaeologist, William Libbey, born on this date in 1855.

    Douglas Hartree, the English mathematician and physicist was born 127 years ago today.

    American mathematician and computer programmer, Margaret K. Butler, born on this date in 1924.

    American science fiction writer, Kevin J. Anderson is 62 today.

    Also born on that same date in 1963,  American director, producer, screenwriter and actor, Quentin Tarantino.

    Canadian actor, Nathan Fillion is 53 today.



    Listener Birthdays



    21 – Krazy Joe Fiore, MegaPodTasticand Honey, You’ve *GOT* to See This!

    23 – Steve Riekeberg a.k.a. MissingIntellect of Geek Cred

    23 – Richard Parkman

    25 – Nicholas St Gabriel

    26 – Chuck Tomasi

    26 – Brina Baird in Hampton, VA

    29 – Marc Blackburn 



    And that’s the way it was, on this day in history for March  27, 2024



    If you want to get on the Technorama Birthday Calendar, visit our website and look for the Birthday Calendar link.



    News



    Mars declared unsafe for humans to live as no one can survive for longer than four years

    • 1 hr 2 min
    Episode 736: Neutrons Cannot Drive Electric Cars

    Episode 736: Neutrons Cannot Drive Electric Cars

    Listen below with the audio player or Click Here for complete show notes and video from the show.





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    QOTW: If humans discovered a way to teleport anywhere on Earth instantaneously, how would this change daily life and global society?



    On This Day In History for March 13, 2024

    This is the 73rd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. There are 293 days remaining in 2024.



    It was on this date in 1639, that Harvard College was named after clergyman John Harvard.

    It was 243 years ago today that William Herschel discovered Uranus.

    162 years ago today, The Act Prohibiting the Return of Slaves was passed by the United States Congress, effectively annulling the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 and setting the stage for the Emancipation Proclamation.

    Also on March 13, 1930, The news of the discovery of Pluto was announced by Lowell Observatory.

    It was 55 years ago today that Apollo 9 returned safely to Earth after testing the Lunar Module.

    The Seikan Tunnel, the longest tunnel in the world with an undersea segment, opened between Aomori and Hakodate, Japan. on this date in 1988

    It was also this date in 2020 that President Donald Trump declared the COVID-19 pandemic to be a national emergency in the United States.



    Happy birthday goes out on this date to:



    American astronomer and mathematician, Percival Lowell, born on this date in 1855.

    John Hasbrouck Van Vleck, American physicist and mathematician, Nobel Prize laureate was born on that same date in 1899.

    American chemist and Women’s Army Corps officer, Myrtle Bachelder was born 116 years ago today.

    L. Ron Hubbard, American author was born on that same date in 1911.

    Born March 13, 1916, American engineer and academic Jacque Fresco.

    Ralph J. Roberts, the American businessman, co-founded Comcast was born 104 years ago today.

    Al Jaffee, American cartoonist was born on that same date in 1921.

    American singer-songwriter and pianist, Neil Sedaka is 85 today.

    Also born on that same date in 1942,  American computer scientist and engineer, Dave Cutler.

    Also turning 79 today is Russian mathematician and academic Anatoly Fomenko.



    Listener Birthdays



    13 – Johanna Gonzalez a.k.a. MightyJo

    14 – Pi Day (3/14)

    16 – Michelle Lopez a.k.a. CntrySigns

    18 – Gregory Lemon @ GregoryLemon.com

    19 – JT Shea of The Gigcast and JT Ukes at 40

    19 – Michael R. Mennenga



    And that’s the way it was, on this day in history for March 13, 2024



    If you want to get on the Technorama Birthday Calendar, visit our website and look for the Birthday Calendar link.



    News



    NASA Launches Astronauts After Finding Crack in Spacecraft During Countdown

    Archimedes’ death ray might have worked, teen science project suggests | CNN

    Bill Gates and Jeff Bezos-backed fusion energy pioneer claims ‘pivotal moment’ | Recharge

    Quantum Computing Takes a Giant Leap With Light-Based Processors



    Shout out to the chat room

    • 1 hr 1 min
    Episode 735: Going on a Voyage

    Episode 735: Going on a Voyage

    Listen below with the audio player or Click Here for complete show notes and video from the show.





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    QOTW: 



    If time travel was possible and you could send a modern smartphone back to a scientist from the past, who would you choose and how do you think it would change history?







    On This Day In History for February 21, 2024

    This is the 52nd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. There are 314 days remaining in 2024.



    It was on this date in 1804, that The first self-propelling steam locomotive made its outing at the Pen-y-Darren Ironworks in Wales

    That same date in 1842, John Greenough was granted the first U.S. patent for the sewing machine

    It was on this date in 1878, that The first telephone directory was issued in New Haven, Connecticut

    That same date in 1925, The New Yorker published its first issue

    In New York City, Edwin Land demonstrated the first “instant camera”, the Polaroid Land Camera, to a meeting of the Optical Society of America on this date in 1947

    On February 21, 1948, NASCAR was incorporated

    It was also this date in 1972 that The Soviet uncrewed spaceship Luna 20 landed on the Moon



    Happy birthday goes out on this date to:



    German astronomer, composer, and theorist, Sethus Calvisius, born on this date in 1556.

    Francis Ronalds, the British scientist, inventor and engineer who was knighted for developing the first working electric telegraph was born 236 years ago today.

    Danish biochemist and physiologist, Nobel Prize laureate, Henrik Dam was born 129 years ago today.

    Born February 21, 1921, American aeronautical engineer Richard T. Whitcomb.

    American computer scientist and engineer, Thelma Estrin was born 100 years ago today.

    Also born on that same date in 1943, American businessman, co-founded DreamWorks and Geffen Records, David Geffen.

    United States Senator, American captain, pilot, and astronaut, Mark Kelly is 60 today.



    Listener Birthdays



    23 – Zhadum

    23 – Keith Hughes(a.k.a. EdGizmo)

    25 – Norbert

    25 – Sandi Sheppard (Mark’s lovely wife)

    28 – Wayne “Your Ad Here” Pittenger – Bethlehem PA

    29 – Paul Dove a.k.a Eilmer From Malmesbury UK



    And that’s the way it was, on this day in history for February 21, 2024



    If you want to get on the Technorama Birthday Calendar, visit our website and look for the Birthday Calendar link.



    News



    Water molecules found on asteroids thought to be ‘completely dry’ | CNN

    Private Odysseus moon lander beams home 1st photos from space | Space



    Hacks & Strange Stories



    ‘Rat Dck’ Among Gibberish AI Images Published in Science Journal

    You’ve tried plant-based meat, but here come meat-based plants

    AI falsely fines Dutch man 380 euro for using phone while driving – The Jerusalem Post



    Shout out to the chat room

    Watch us live every Sunday night at 8:30PM ET on Facebook.

    • 56 min

Customer Reviews

4.9 out of 5
34 Ratings

34 Ratings

HansCopilot ,

One of the best

Chuck and Craig do a terrific show. It’s fun and informative. I don’t always get all the jokes. I’m still Trying to figure out why ‘Rays and things’ is funny

But that said, I like it!

whitestar20 ,

Tech, science, sci fi and all that geeky goodness

For those of us who grew up with the tech revolution this is the show for you. Younger listers may not have heard of older tech items discussed but there is always something fun and interesting in every episode. Great show notes so you can look up items you heard on the podcast. 101 :)

Mark Sheppard ,

This podcast rocks, flat out.

A laid back look at tech that includes a ton of fun and hilarity. This is one podcast you will not want to miss.

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