Robert Krulwich

Robert Krulwich works on radio, podcasts, video, the blogosphere. He has been called "the most inventive network reporter in television" by TV Guide.

Krulwich is a Science Correspondent for NPR. His NPR blog, "Krulwich Wonders" features drawings, cartoons and videos that illustrate hard-to-see concepts in science.

He is the co-host of Radiolab, a nationally distributed radio/podcast series that explores new developments in science for people who are curious but not usually drawn to science shows. "There's nothing like it on the radio," says Ira Glass of This American Life, "It's a act of crazy genius." Radiolab won a Peabody Award in 2011.

His specialty is explaining complex subjects, science, technology, economics, in a style that is clear, compelling and entertaining. On television he has explored the structure of DNA using a banana; on radio he created an Italian opera, "Ratto Interesso" to explain how the Federal Reserve regulates interest rates; he has pioneered the use of new animation on ABC's Nightline and World News Tonight.

For 22 years, Krulwich was a science, economics, general assignment and foreign correspondent at ABC and CBS News.

He won Emmy awards for a cultural history of the Barbie doll, for a Frontline investigation of computers and privacy, a George Polk and Emmy for a look at the Savings & Loan bailout online advertising and the 2010 Essay Prize from the Iowa Writers' Workshop.

Krulwich earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from Oberlin College and a law degree from Columbia University.

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8:08am

Wed October 3, 2012
NPR science

Are those spidery black things on Mars dangerous? (Yup.)

Originally published on Thu October 4, 2012 1:43 pm

You are 200 miles directly above the Martian surface — looking down. This image was taken by the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter on Jan. 27, 2010. (The color was added later.) What do we see? Well, sand, mostly. As you scroll down, there's a ridge crossing through the image, then a plain, then dunes, but keep looking. You will notice, when you get to the dunes, there are little black flecks dotting the ridges, mostly on the sunny side, like sunbathing spiders sitting in rows. Can you see them?

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7:14am

Wed September 19, 2012
NPR science

U.S. explodes atomic bombs near beers to see if they are safe to drink

Originally published on Wed September 19, 2012 1:34 pm

So you're minding your own business when all of a sudden, a nuclear bomb goes off, there's a shock wave, fires all around, general destruction and you, having somehow survived, need a drink. What can you do? There is no running water, not where you are. But there is a convenience store. It's been crushed by the shock wave, but there are still bottles of beer, Coke and diet soda intact on the floor.

So you wonder: Can I grab one of those beers and gulp it down? Or is it too radioactive? And what about taste? If I drink it, will it taste OK?

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1:12pm

Tue September 11, 2012
NPR Science

The 'miracle' of the levitating slinky (cooler than it seems)

Originally published on Wed September 12, 2012 5:43 am

10:27am

Fri September 7, 2012
NPR science

Volcano shoots geyser of water up into space

Originally published on Tue October 9, 2012 8:53 am

What we have here is a moon — a small one (slightly wider than the state of Arizona) — circling Saturn.

If you look closely, you will see a small splay of light at its top, looking like a circular fountain.

That's because it is a fountain — of sorts. A bunch of volcano-like jets are sending fantastically high geysers of water vapor up into the sky, so high that you can see them in this remarkable print by Michael Benson, back lit by light bouncing off of Saturn.

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9:02am

Mon July 30, 2012
2012 Olympics

Embarrassed By Your Olympic Javelin: Did Cavemen Do It Better?

Originally published on Mon July 30, 2012 10:23 am

7:50am

Tue July 17, 2012
NPR diversions

Five men agree to stand directly under an exploding nuclear bomb

Originally published on Wed July 18, 2012 11:23 am

Credit Atom Central/YouTube

2:31pm

Tue July 10, 2012
NPR Diversions

Woman on street attacked by giant snail - in 3D!

Originally published on Tue July 10, 2012 2:09 pm

9:10am

Sat June 30, 2012
NPR tech news

Robot with super powers wins at 'rock, paper scissors' every time

Originally published on Sat June 30, 2012 4:06 am

Credit YouTube

First chess, now this:

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9:06am

Sat April 14, 2012
NPR diversions

The strange persistence of shoes at sea

Originally published on Sat April 14, 2012 5:23 am

Credit Marleen Swart / AP

A ship sinks. A hundred years pass. What remains? Look down, down to your feet while I tell you this tale.

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1:53pm

Tue April 10, 2012
NPR diversions

Wind at sea is strangely Van Goghish, says NASA

Originally published on Tue April 10, 2012 8:55 am

Credit YouTube

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