EPISODE · Apr 25, 2026 · 14 MIN
The Universe in a Coffee Cup
from The Breaking Point · host Podcaster
In 1965, two Bell Labs engineers thought pigeons were messing with their radio antenna. The annoying static they couldn't eliminate turned out to be the echo of the Big Bang itself—cosmic microwave background radiation that had been traveling through space for 13.8 billion years. This is the story of how the most important discovery in cosmology happened while trying to make better phone calls. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
What this episode covers
In 1965, two Bell Labs engineers thought pigeons were messing with their radio antenna. The annoying static they couldn't eliminate turned out to be the echo of the Big Bang itself—cosmic microwave background radiation that had been traveling through space for 13.8 billion years. This is the story of how the most important discovery in cosmology happened while trying to make better phone calls.
NOW PLAYING
The Universe in a Coffee Cup
No transcript for this episode yet
Similar Episodes
Mar 26, 2026 ·1m
Mar 19, 2026 ·34m
Feb 18, 2026 ·11m
Feb 11, 2026 ·45m