Feb 21st, 2005 · For the Ga tribe in coastal Ghana, funeral processions feature brightly colored coffins shaped like cars, sewing machines or cigarettes -- honoring the dead by celebrating the way they lived.
Feb 12th, 2005 · The machines that capture sound generally fall apart much sooner than the media on which the sound is captured. Think of that 8-Track tape player in your attic. That turns those wires and tape into "dead media"; the sound is trapped, perhaps never to be heard again. We resurrect sound from Dead Media, like Oscar Hammerstein recording his thoughts on a dictabelt.
Feb 1st, 2005 · NPR's Alex Chadwick talks to Slate contributor Emily Yoffe, cast once again in the role of human guinea pig. In this installment, Yoffe attempts to fool a polygraph machine.
Jan 21st, 2005 · Innovative banker Walter Wriston has died at the age of 85. As CEO of Citibank, he promoted the use of information technology to help the bank expand its presence. Under his tenure, the bank introduced the certificate of deposit, marketed credit cards on a mass scale, and developed automatic teller machines.
Dec 16th, 2004 · A new study shows that a significant amount of jewelry marketed to teenagers has a high lead content. The study follows last summer's report that vending machine jewelry marketed toward young children had high lead levels. NPR's Joseph Shapiro reports.
Nov 15th, 2004 · Caouette made his filmmaking debut with the autobiographical documentary Tarnation. He made it on his home computer for only $218. It includes snapshots, super-8 home movies, answering machine messages and dramatic reenactments from his chaotic upbringing in a dysfunctional Texas family.
Nov 2nd, 2004 · Soft drinks are being ousted from vending machines in Chicago public schools to help fight against childhood obesity. A new charter school in the city is doing much more, by incorporating physical activity, health education and better nutrition into everything students do as Hear NPR's David Schaper.
Sep 30th, 2004 · Jim Williams never met a piece of electronics he didn't like. The Silicon Valley electrical engineer collects and cherishes what few of us notice: the inner workings of modern machines. NPR's David Kestenbaum reports.