Claude Shannon is a major figure in the history of technology. Known as the father of information theory, Shannon spent decades at Bell Labs and MIT. But what exactly did Claude Shannon figure out, and why is it so important?
To answer that question, Jacob talked with David Tse, a professor of electrical engineering at Stanford who studied under one of Shannon’s students, and who teaches Shannon to his own students today. David used Shannon’s work to make a breakthrough in wireless communication that underpins every phone call we make today.
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Turning Garbage Into Food
Matt Rogers is the co-founder of Mill. Matt’s problem is this: How do you turn garbage into food?Before Mill, Matt co-founded Nest, a smart thermostat company. Now, he wants to take on the garbage in our…
The Fake-Meat Frontier
Jacob Goldstein co-hosts today’s show with Dan Pashman, host of The Sporkful. Jacob and Dan eat their way through the history of fake meat — from Gardenburger hockey pucks, to meatier Impossible burgers. And they…
From Impossible Burgers to Fake Steak
Pat Brown is the founder of Impossible Foods. Pat’s problem is this: How can you make meat without animals? Pat’s goal isn’t to make better burgers for vegetarians; he wants to sell to meat eaters.…
Small Pizza Shops Want a Bigger Slice
Ilir Sela is the co-founder and CEO of Slice. His problem: How do you bring the technological revolution to thousands of tiny mom and pop pizza shops? Most local pizza shops haven’t adapted well to…
Turning Waves Into Electricity
Tim Mundon is chief technology officer at Oscilla Power. Tim’s problem is this: How do you turn waves into electrical power? You can see the power of the ocean in every wave, but the complex…
From Some of My Best Friends Are: Everything Dope Comes from Chicago
While we’re off celebrating the new year, here’s an episode from another Pushkin show: Some of My Best Friends Are… Hosts Khalil Gibran Muhammad and Ben Austen, two best friends from the South Side of…
Flying on Battery Power
Anders Forslund is the co-founder and CEO of Heart Aerospace. Anders’ problem is this: How do you build a commercial airplane that can fly on battery power — and win the approval of regulators around…
Bringing Back the American Hoodie
Bayard Winthrop is the founder and CEO of American Giant. Bayard’s problem is this: How do you make clothes in America — and compete in a global economy? Today’s show is about the future of American manufacturing. But…
How to Save the Most Lives
Farzad Mostashari is the co-founder and CEO of Aledade. Farzad’s problem is this: How can we pay doctors to keep us healthy, rather than treating us after we get sick? People have been struggling to…
From Story of the Week with Joel Stein: Billionaires Prepping for the Apocalypse
This bonus episode is from Story of the Week with Joel Stein, a new Pushkin podcast. On Story of the Week, journalist Joel Stein chooses an article that fascinates him, convinces the writer to tell…