What is the land speed record? episode artwork

EPISODE · Apr 6, 2026 · 12 MIN

What is the land speed record?

from History for Kids / History's Not Boring: The Kids History Podcast · host SCL

Buckle up and hold onto your hats because we are going FAST! Did you know that the very first car speed record was set way back in 1898 by an electric car? But wait until you hear how fast it went... only 39 miles per hour! As Finn points out, even a cheetah can run faster than that! Join Mira and Finn as they take you on a wild ride through history to see how humans went from "slower than a cat" to "faster than sound!" We’ll zoom across the Bonneville Salt Flats where brave drivers like Craig Breedlove blasted past 600 miles per hour in jet-powered cars that look like rockets on wheels! Then, get ready for the ultimate sonic boom as Andy Green drives the incredible Thrust SSC at a mind-blowing 763 mph, breaking the speed of sound for the first time ever! It’s a story of fire, physics, and the need for speed that will leave you breathless. How did we build engines powerful enough to outrun sound itself? Put on your racing helmet and let’s find out!

Buckle up and hold onto your hats because we are going FAST! Did you know that the very first car speed record was set way back in 1898 by an electric car? But wait until you hear how fast it went... only 39 miles per hour! As Finn points out, even a cheetah can run faster than that! Join Mira and Finn as they take you on a wild ride through history to see how humans went from "slower than a cat" to "faster than sound!" We’ll zoom across the Bonneville Salt Flats where brave drivers like Crai...

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What is the land speed record?

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How long is this episode of History for Kids / History's Not Boring: The Kids History Podcast?

This episode is 12 minutes long.

When was this History for Kids / History's Not Boring: The Kids History Podcast episode published?

This episode was published on April 6, 2026.

What is this episode about?

Buckle up and hold onto your hats because we are going FAST! Did you know that the very first car speed record was set way back in 1898 by an electric car? But wait until you hear how fast it went... only 39 miles per hour! As Finn points out, even...

Is there a transcript available for this episode?

Yes, a full transcript is available for this episode. You can read the complete transcript on the episode page.

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