Launching into History

Ada Lovelace: Programming the Future

Long before the first computer existed, Ada Lovelace imagined what one could do. In this episode of Launching into History, we explore how the daughter of a poet and a mathematician became the world’s first programmer. Working alongside Charles Babbage, she saw the potential of machines beyond math—envisioning music, language, and logic in code. Discover the 19th-century mind that foresaw the digital age.

Project Azorian: Submarine, Secrecy, and Subterfuge

In this episode of Launching into History, we uncover the astonishing true story of Project Azorian—a secret CIA operation that built a fake mining ship, spent hundreds of millions, and tried to recover a Soviet submarine from the ocean floor. It’s a tale of deception, engineering wizardry, and the origins of a now-famous phrase: “We can neither confirm nor deny.” If you think you know Cold War history—think again!

The Ghost Army of WW II: The Phantom Front

In one of the strangest chapters of World War II, the U.S. military enlisted artists, sound engineers, and illusionists to wage a war of deception. This is the story of the Ghost Army—a secret unit that used inflatable tanks, fake radio chatter, and soundscapes of battle to fool the Nazis and save thousands of lives. Discover how creativity became a weapon, and why this unit remained classified for over 50 years.

Marie Curie: The Element of Discovery

This month on Launching into History, we explore the groundbreaking legacy of Marie Curie—pioneering scientist, two-time Nobel laureate, and the first person to truly see the invisible world of radioactivity. Beyond the classroom stories and iconic photos lies a rich, lesser-known tale of innovation, resilience, and impact that spans science, war, and education. Join us as we uncover how Curie’s curiosity changed the periodic table—and the world—forever.

Buran: Russia’s Forgotten Shuttle

The Buran program was the Soviet Union’s answer to NASA’s Space Shuttle, developed during the Cold War to create a reusable spaceplane. Launched on November 15, 1988, Buran completed its first and only orbital flight unmanned and fully automated, a feat NASA’s shuttle never achieved. Despite its success, the program was canceled in the early 1990s due to the Soviet Union’s collapse and budget cuts. The original Buran was later destroyed when its hangar collapsed in 2002, leaving it as a symbol of lost potential in space exploration.