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Stuff of Genius

Tetris! A Riddle Wrapped In An Enigma

Alexey Pajitnov changed the world of gaming forever when he created Tetris. Learn the history of this famous game and how it came to be.

Most Watched in Stuff of Genius

3:05

Stuff of Genius: Changes in Oil

John Ellis invented motor oil in 1866. Learn about the different types of engine oil his company Valvoline now produces to keep your vehicle optimized.

1:48

Stuff of Genius: Stephanie Kwolek: Kevlar

When Stephanie Kwolek couldn't pursue a career in medicine, she took a job as a research chemist. Tune in to learn how this unplanned career led to the Stuff of Genius that changed the world and saved thousands of lives.

1:00

Stuff of Genius: Philo Farnsworth: Television

When Philo Farnsworth was just 14 years old, he had an epiphany that changed his life -- and ours. Tune in and learn how this former sharecropper created the modern television in The Stuff of Genius, a video podcast from HowStuffWorks.com.

2:06

Stuff of Genius: Willis Carrier: Air Conditioning

When Willis Carrier set out to solve inking problems for a local printing press, he didn't set out to change the world. Luckily for us, he did. Tune in and learn the story behind the modern air conditioning unit in this podcast.

1:41

Stuff of Genius: Josephine Cochrane and the Dishwasher

Josephine Cochrane didn't exactly enjoy washing dishes -- then again, who does? Luckily, Mrs. Cochrane happened to enjoy design and a flair for invention. Learn more about her Stuff of Genius in this episode.

2:41

Stuff of Genius: 5 Tips to Make Your Phone Battery Last

Is your phone constantly dying? Try these 5 everyday tips to conserve your battery's power.

1:39

Stuff of Genius: Sarah Goode: Folding Bed

During a time when women were treated like second-class citizens and African-Americans were relentlessly persecuted, Sarah Goode built her own business from the ground up. Tune in to learn more about Sarah Goode and the folding cabinet bed.

1:54

Stuff of Genius: Edward Jenner: Smallpox Vaccine

Although forms of vaccination had been discovered thousands of years ago in Asia and Africa, Western Europeans didn't pick up on it until Edward Jenner turned an old wives' tale into the Stuff of Genius. Tune in and learn more in this podcast.

1:35

Stuff of Genius: Philip Diehl: Ceiling Fan

Originally born in Germany, Philip Diehl immigrated to the US in 1868. Although he has several fascinating inventions to his name, the ceiling fan remains his most well-known innovation. Tune in to learn more.

2:16

Stuff of Genius: Bartolomeo Cristofori: The Modern Piano

Before Bartolomeo Cristofori began tinkering with musical instruments for Ferdinando de Medici, no one had heard of a piano. Tune in to learn how Cristofori's Stuff of Genius changed music -- and history -- in this episode.

2:26

Stuff of Genius: The Stuff of (Sustainable) Genius: Bioplastics

Plastic is a ubiquitous and incredibly useful invention, but it has some serious downsides. But what if plastics were biodegradable? Tune in to learn more about the evolution and advantages of bioplastics.

3:03

Stuff of Genius: 5 Ways to Hack Your Wedding

What are some ways to hack your wedding? Learn about five everyday genius ways to make your wedding easier and less expensive.

Recent Videos in Stuff of Genius

3:21

Stuff of Genius: Black Sabbatical

Before Stuff of Genius takes its own scheduled break, Christian looks into the origin of the modern sabbatical and its goal of improving productivity through revitalization.

2:14

Stuff of Genius: Tetris! A Riddle Wrapped In An Enigma

Alexey Pajitnov changed the world of gaming forever when he created Tetris. Learn the history of this famous game and how it came to be.

2:44

Stuff of Genius: Hack Your New Year

Want to successfully meet your resolutions in 2014? Use these 5 lifehacks at the beginning of your year, so you're happy with the rest of it!

2:06

Stuff of Genius: The Iceman Cometh... Jacob Perkin's First Refrigerator

Jacob Perkins was always a tinkerer, but in 1834 he patented the refrigerator. Learn how his version worked by vaporizing dangerous chemicals.

3:29

Stuff of Genius: No More Woof

Talking dogs are cute and all, but what if you could actually translate your dog's thoughts into English? A Scandinavian research lab claims they've invented the answer.

1:58

Stuff of Genius: Explosions in the Sky

Thousands of years ago, the Chinese invented fireworks. Learn the origin of these celebrated pyrotechnics in this episode.

2:36

Stuff of Genius: The White Elephant In The Room

Every year, American office parties celebrate a tradition called a "White Elephant" exchange. Stuff of Genius deciphers how this term came from a complicated history between the U.S. and Thailand.

2:29

Stuff of Genius: For Your Eyes Only: The Privacy Visor

A Tokyo based team has invented a pair of glasses that disrupts digital cameras and prevents facial recognition. Want to hide your identity and personal information? We'll tell you how in today's episode.

2:03

Stuff of Genius: Better, Faster, Stronger... Meet the Modern Umbrella

While umbrellas have been around for centuries, the modern steel design we're all familiar with was invented by Samuel Fox in 1852. Or was it? Learn about the controversy behind this simple device that keeps us dry.

2:41

Stuff of Genius: 5 Tips to Make Your Phone Battery Last

Is your phone constantly dying? Try these 5 everyday tips to conserve your battery's power.

1:57

Stuff of Genius: George Ballas and the Weed Eater

What do carwashes and lawn care have in common? The answer might surprise you. Tune in in to learn how George Ballas went from cleaning his car to inventing the weed eater.

2:13

Stuff of Genius: No Babies! Gregory Pincus and the Birth Control Pill

The birth control pill prevents millions of births every year. Learn how a scientist's experiments with rabbit ovums and frozen sperm led to this game changing advance in human reproduction.