99% Invisible creator Roman Mars is hosting a new series about the objects that shaped the history of America.
The show, A History of the United States in 100 Objects, is produced by SiriusXM and BBC Studios, and will see Mars uncover the stories behind objects such as a gold coin from a shipwreck in 1857 that led to a financial panic, an antebellum schoolbook that became a tool for Black liberation and a small screw that shows how the U.S. created a hidden industrial empire.
“The history of America can’t be captured in a single story,” Mars said. “So instead, we’re telling one hundred. By looking closely at the things we’ve made – and the things we’ve thrown away – we’re hoping to reveal a richer, more complicated picture of who we are.”
In addition to the new show, Mars hosts 99% Invisible, a narrative podcast about unnoticed architecture and design, which has led to multiple spin-off series, including Articles of Interest and the 99% Invisible Breakdown of The Power Broker. SiriusXM acquired 99% Invisible in 2021..
Throughout the new series, Mars will be joined by historians, journalists and podcasters, as well as individuals with personal connections to the stories being told. The lineup includes Radiolab founder Jad Abumrad; Dan Taberski, investigative journalist and host of Hysterical, Song Exploder creator Hrishikesh Hirway; former MythBuster Adam Savage; current Radiolab co-host Latif Nasser and more.
The first episode premieres May 19, with weekly episodes following in the “99% Invisible” feed on the SiriusXM app and wherever podcasts are available.
