This year marks the 15th anniversary of 99% Invisible! If our little design podcast were a person, it would be old enough to have a provisional driver’s license in some states or celebrate a quinceañera. Since we first launched on September 3rd, 2010, we’ve spent 15 years telling stories about design, architecture, and the choices we make that shape our world. That’s 15 years of taking the time to stop and read the plaque, and 15 years of you, our incredible listeners, sending us the most amazing observations about the built environment that we never would have noticed on our own.
To celebrate this milestone, we decided to do something a little different. Instead of our usual deep dive into one particular design story, Roman Mars is answering 15 eclectic questions submitted by listeners and staff – questions about the show, about design, and about Roman himself. This anniversary episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at the stories and people that have made 99% Invisible what it is today. It’s our way of celebrating all the invisible things that have become a little more visible over the past decade and a half.
Comments (7)
Share
Since Roman said his favourite movie is Jaws, I thought that, if he hasn’t heard it, he might be interested in the second half of this episode of Ones and Tooze, which is about the economics of Jaws.
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ones-and-tooze/id1584397047?i=1000723079071
(the first half, on the speed with which China is building, is also fascinating)
Hello Roman and the team,
Congratulations on 15th anniversary!! And thanks for continuing to create great episodes for so long time. I started listening 99%invisible when I got a job in Glasgow. My English wasn’t good enough at that time but listening your shows encouraged me to keep listening and listening. I moved to Paris, London Tokyo and Tallinn since then but 99%invisible has been always with me. Thank you.
In the episode 641, I was so happy to hear about Roman’s twins storey! I enjoyed their message a lot.
Recently I wrote about my favourite episodes of 99%invisible in my Japanese blog as I want more Japanese people to know your show. It was so hard to choose my favourites as there are so many!!
I’m wishing you all the best next 15 years.
Hi all,
Thank you for the timeless effort you put into this podcast. I’m a former radio reporter/producer and appreciate all of the bits and bobs that go into awesome audio!
I wanted to reach out and express my deep appreciation for Roman’s reflections on efficiency. I’ve been so focused on being the most efficient version of myself for my entire career/life that I agree, so much creativity and joie de vivre has been lost.
I’m hoping to let a lot more messy move in moving forward!
Thanks again for all you do,
Jay
I listen to 99% Invisible while lap swimming with my underwater headphones. Guess who just ordered her 99PI swimsuit?!
Happy 15!
My burning question would have been about the twins – so happy to get their update!
Theresa
Loved the episode! Wanted to mention that if you’re going to talk about Perfect Days you have to mention that all those restrooms are all designed by famous architects and designers! The movie has generated such interest in the design of the restrooms that people have catalogued where each one from the film is prompting the Japanese Toilet Company to make their own pages dedicated to them.
https://tokyotoilet.jp/en/
On my last trip to Japan I made a point of going out of my way to visit several of them.
I propose a future episode on how in Japanese culture it is nearly commonplace to take something as mundane as a public restroom and elevate its design and maintenance to the level of art. I will gladly go on location to produce! :)
In this episode, you expressed a dislike for the concept of “efficiency.” In a creative context, efficiency can stifle innovation and beautiful designs. However, the most aesthetically pleasing animals in motion are the most efficient ones.
Four examples:
1. The greatest segment of human running the world has ever seen was 9.58 seconds of pure genius by Usain Bolt in 2009. Watch how easy his 41 steps over 100 meters look, especially compared to his competitors.
2. Is anything more beautiful to watch than a shark swimming gracefully along the ocean floor?
3. A cheetah’s entire body is designed for short sprints in a straight line.
4. A vulture endlessly gliding with no effort is hard to understand how it is possible.
I would love your take on the evolution’s design of animals in motion.
So much wonderful stuff in the question about the twins. Roman tearing up after hearing Mazlo say “robots and Iron Man suits” was just so unbelievably endearing. Thank you for being so open and vulnerable to us all.
As I was listening I thought “I wish I could hear what they have to say now”. And just like that, my wish was granted. This absolutely made my day.
Best of luck to the twins in college. And thank you all for this gift of 99 PI to the world.