Making Science with Tom Whipple: The Times’ New Science Podcast You Can’t Miss

In an era where science continues to shape every corner of our lives, The Times introduces a bold new way to explore the strange, surprising, and sometimes surreal journeys behind groundbreaking discoveries. Enter: Making Science with Tom Whipple, a brand-new weekly podcast series hosted by Tom Whipple, the long-standing and award-winning Science Editor of The Times.

Cover art for The Times’ science podcast “Making Science with Tom Whipple,” featuring illustrations of quirky scientific themes and host Tom Whipple

This isn’t your typical science podcast. Think less “dry data” and more human drama, bizarre experiments, and unexpected tales of trial, error, and scientific serendipity.

Table of Contents

🔍 What Is Making Science with Tom Whipple All About?

“Science is about facts and theories, yes — but it’s also about people, about triumphs, disasters, and things that go bang.” – Tom Whipple

Hosted by one of the UK’s most respected science journalists, this podcast lifts the curtain on unusual scientific anecdotes, forgotten experiments, and eccentric inventors who helped shape our understanding of the world — often in ways that defy logic.

From flying aircraft carriers made of ice to the quest for a real-life death ray, Whipple dives into stories that seem too odd to be true — yet are rooted in historical and scientific fact.

🧠 Why This Podcast Matters: Beyond Lab Coats and Equations

Key Highlights:

Human-centered narratives behind major (and minor) discoveries
A blend of science, history, and quirky storytelling
Aimed at both science enthusiasts and casual listeners
Weekly episodes with deep dives into captivating themes

Unlike traditional science programs that focus heavily on recent findings or academic research, Making Science brings to light the chaotic, comedic, and sometimes catastrophic nature of experimentation.

It’s a show for anyone who’s ever wondered:

“How did we even think of that?”
“What were they thinking?”
“Did that actually happen?”

👤 Meet the Host: Who Is Tom Whipple?

🏆 Award-Winning Science Journalist & Author

Tom Whipple has been with The Times since 2012 and has reported on a dazzling variety of topics — from archaeological digs to zoological mysteries. In 2020, he was named Science Journalist of the Year at the prestigious Press Awards.

Aside from his journalistic prowess, Whipple is also an acclaimed author. His most recent book, The Battle of the Beams, uncovers the secret radar warfare that influenced the outcome of World War II — a theme that also blends technology, espionage, and high-stakes science, much like his new podcast.

📻 Media Contributor

You might also recognize Whipple’s voice from:

Times Radio
BBC Science Specials
Various UK-based science panels and documentary series

📡 Episode One: The Curious Case of the Death Ray

🔦 Did the British Almost Invent a Sci-Fi Weapon?

The debut episode kicks off with a bang — quite literally — as Whipple investigates the curious claims of Harry Grindell Matthews, a 1920s inventor who stated he had built a death ray.

Allegedly capable of:

Halting car engines from afar
Setting off gunpowder without contact
Paralyzing enemy soldiers miles away

Matthews captivated the British public and military alike. Yet, when pressed to demonstrate his device or reveal its mechanism, he balked.

🧬 Was It Science or Science Fiction?

Tom Whipple digs into:

The electromagnetic spectrum
Early 20th-century military science
Matthews’ real motivations and legacy

Was it a misunderstood invention or an early case of techno-hoaxing? Tune in to find out.

🎧 Where to Listen

You can stream Making Science with Tom Whipple on all major platforms, including:

Spotify
Apple Podcasts
Amazon Music
The Times Website (Podcast Section)

👉 Subscribe now and never miss an episode of history’s most curious scientific capers.

🧪 What Makes This Podcast Unique?

🔍 Features That Set It Apart:

Human stories, not just scientific facts
High production quality with immersive narration
Content curated by a journalist with deep domain expertise
Perfect for commuting, relaxing, or winding down your day

Whether you’re a STEM student, history buff, or just someone who loves weird facts, this podcast will keep you coming back for more.

📚 Upcoming Episodes Teaser

Here’s what listeners can expect in the coming weeks:

🧊 The Ice Ship Project

Can a warship really be made of frozen water and wood pulp? (Hint: Churchill thought so.)

🐸 Rosie the Ribeter

Meet the frog that changed evolutionary biology — by doing something no one believed it could.

💥 Operation Death Beam

Learn how British scientists and the military teamed up to (unsuccessfully) create a weapon that never was.

🔗 Why It Deserves a Spot in Your Podcast Queue

📈 Takeaways for Podcast Fans:

Tom Whipple brings decades of science journalism to a brand-new format.
Listeners can expect fact-checked, story-driven content every week.
The show balances entertainment with educational value, making science fun again.

Making Science with Tom Whipple is more than just a podcast — it’s an invitation to re-examine the past and marvel at the strange pathways of scientific progress.

🧩 Final Thoughts

This isn’t just about what scientists have discovered — it’s about how they got there, who they were, and why their stories still matter.

Whether it’s a failed experiment, a forgotten theory, or an outlandish idea that somehow changed the world, Making Science proves that every breakthrough has a backstory — and every backstory deserves to be told.

So next time you’re on the go or curled up with your earbuds in, consider diving into one of the most intellectually quirky and engaging podcast experiences of the year.