99% Invisible Explained

99% Invisible
Hosting:Roman Mars
Language:English
Updates:Active, weekly
Length:< 10 minutes (early seasons)
< 60 minutes (later seasons)
Audio Format:MP3
List Episodes:List of 99% Invisible episodes
Ratings:All audiences
Num Episodes:559
Fetchwikidata:ALL

99% Invisible is a radio show and podcast produced and created by Roman Mars that focuses on design.[1] It began as a collaborative project between San Francisco public radio station KALW and the American Institute of Architects in San Francisco. PRX has distributed the show for broadcasting on a number of radio stations and as a podcast on the Radiotopia network.[2] On April 28, 2021, Roman Mars announced in an introduction of a re-released episode that 99% Invisible had been purchased by Sirius XM and marketed as part of its Stitcher Radio brand.[3]

History

The name of the show was derived from a quote by Buckminster Fuller that, "Ninety-nine percent of who you are is invisible and untouchable."[4]

In 2014, 99% Invisible began its fourth season, the first in which it had a weekly release schedule.[5]

2020 staff includes episode producers Delaney Hall, Christopher Johnson, Kurt Kohlstedt, Chris Berube, Emmett FitzGerald, Vivian Le, Joe Rosenberg and assistant producer Lasha Madan. The musical composer and Director of Sound is Swan Real and the VP of Strategic Development is Sofia Klatzker Miller.[6] Former staff include Sam Greenspan, Katie Mingle, Sharif Yousseff[7] [8] [9] and Avery Trufelman. Trufleman left to host "Articles of Interest," "Nice Try!" and "The Cut" podcasts.[10]

In April 2021 the company that produces the show (99% Invisible Inc.) was acquired by SiriusXM.[11]

Reception

Critical reception has generally been very positive, with the show garnering acclaim from many notable radio producers and media outlets. Ira Glass of This American Life described the show as "completely wonderful and entertaining and beautifully produced,"[12] and Jad Abumrad has said the show "has a kind of rhythm and musicality that you don’t normally find in radio or podcast storytelling."[13] In 2013, Yahoo! News included 99% Invisible on its list of "best podcasts you aren't listening to but should be,"[14] and Miranda Sawyer of The Observer highlighted the show, saying "it's just great."[15]

The creator and host of 99% Invisible, Roman Mars, was included in Fast Companys Most Creative People list of 2013 for his work on 99% Invisible,[16] and included on the Most Creative People in Business 1000 in 2014.[17]

As of January 2014 the show was listed in the top fifty podcasts of the iTunes Top Podcasts chart.[18] In 2014, the show had greater than 4,000 listener ratings on iTunes and upwards of 97% gave the show five stars.[19] The show's 2014 episode Structural Integrity was one of nine award winners at the 2015 Third Coast International Audio Festival.[20]

In 2017, 99% Invisible was named as one of the "50 best podcasts" by Time magazine.[21]

Awards

AwardDateCategoryResultRef.
Discover Pods Awards2019Best Overall Podcast[22]
2021Society & Culture Podcast[23]
Webby Awards2016Best Podcast[24]
2017People's Voice Winner for Best Podcast Host[25]
2020Arts & Culture Podcasts[26]
Third Coast International Audio Festival2015Best Documentary
Academy of Podcasters Awards2015Society & Culture[27]
2015People's Choice Award
2016Arts
2017Arts[28]

Guest hosts and collaborations

99% Invisible has produced a variety of episodes in collaboration with other producers and radio shows. "The Political Stage", episode 63, was a collaboration with Andrea Seabrook and DecodeDC that focused on the production of campaign trail events.[29] Episode 84B, called "Trading Places with Planet Money," was made with NPR's Planet Money podcast and discusses commodity trading in the context of the 1983 film Trading Places.[30]

Articles of Interest

In September 2018, a spinoff series, from producer Avery Trufelman, was released with six episodes focused on the design of clothes. Articles of Interest was published as part of 99% Invisible. Another six episodes were released in June 2020.[31]

Book

In October 2019, publisher Houghton Mifflin Harcourt announced the upcoming book The 99% Invisible City: A Field Guide to the Hidden World of Everyday Design co-authored by podcasters Roman Mars and Kurt Kohlstedt, describing it as "an examination of the design and architecture of our shared urban environs, featuring stories behind overlooked places and things we take for granted."[32] The book was released a decade after the podcast started,[33] in the fall of 2020;[34] [35] [36] and consists of short stories on the history behind everyday urban features and architecture.[37] Roman Mars was interviewed by NPR radio host Lois Reitzes[38] and by MPR's radio host Kerri Miller[39] about the book. Mars also recorded the audiobook version.[40] Christian Donlan of Eurogamer compared his experience with the book to a videogame, speaking to how both the appreciation of architecture and games require an being attuned to fine details, and both involve dynamic, complex systems.[41]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2014-01-31. About: 99% Invisible Is About All the Thought That Goes Into the Things We Don't Think About. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20140212211134/http://99percentinvisible.org/about/. 2014-02-12. 2014-02-17. 99% Invisible. PRX. en-US.
  2. Web site: Kowalczyk. Patrick. Alikhan. Anusha. 2014-02-04. PRX Launches Radiotopia, New Podcast Network of Story-Driven Public Radio Shows by Industry's Best Emerging and Established Talent. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20140221174630/http://media.prx.org/PRXRadiotopia_release_FINAL.pdf. 2014-02-21. 2014-02-17. Public Radio Exchange. PRX. en-US.
  3. News: SiriusXM Is Buying '99% Invisible,' and Street Cred in Podcasting. Reggie. Ugwu. The New York Times . April 26, 2021. NYTimes.com.
  4. Web site: Belonax. Tim. 2013-01-08. 99% Invisible: Roman Mars. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20140221222141/http://designenvy.aiga.org/99-invisible-roman-mars/. 2014-02-21. 2014-02-17. Design Envy. AIGA. en-US.
  5. Web site: 2013-10-23. Kickstart Season 4- Weekly!. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20140222011425/http://99percentinvisible.org/news/kickstart-season-4-weekly/. 2014-02-22. 2014-02-17. 99% Invisible. PRX. en-US.
  6. Web site: About: The Staff. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20201124013519/https://99percentinvisible.org/about/the-staff/. 2020-11-24. 2020-12-06. 99% Invisible. PRX. en-US.
  7. Web site: Uggetti. Paolo. 2017-08-02. Speeding up Your Podcasts Won't Solve Your Problems. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20200221100345/https://www.theringer.com/2017/8/2/16095364/inefficiency-week-podcasts-speed-comprehension-f0ea43949e42. 2020-02-21. 2021-01-23. The Ringer. en-US.
  8. Web site: Aloi. Zander. 2016-11-27. Growing up Arab American in West Virginia With Sharif Youssef. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20210123170700/https://www.wvpublic.org/news/2016-11-27/growing-up-arab-american-in-west-virginia-with-sharif-youssef. 2021-01-23. 2021-01-23. WVPB. en-US.
  9. Web site: Herman. Charlie. Press. Julia. Wyman. Sarah. 2020-11-04. The House That Sears Built. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20210123171014/https://www.businessinsider.com/brought-to-you-by-podcast-btyb-house-sears-built-99pi. 2021-01-23. 2021-01-23. Business Insider. en-US.
  10. Web site: Avery Trufelman: Host of the Cut and Nice Try!. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20201217142912/https://podcasts.voxmedia.com/host/avery-trufelman. 2020-12-17. 2020-12-06. Vox Media Podcasts Network. Vox Media. en-US.
  11. Web site: Carman. Ashley. 2021-04-26. SiriusXM acquires Roman Mars' 99% Invisible and a bigger stake in the podcasting world. 2021-04-26. The Verge. en.
  12. Web site: 2013-04-04. Roman Mars Is 99% Invisible. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20140222194306/http://www.eyesin.com/architecture/2013/roman-mars-is-99-invisible/. 2014-02-22. 2014-02-17. Eyes In. en-US.
  13. Web site: Harmon. Steph. 2013-03-17. Featured Podcast: 99% Invisible. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20140221185122/http://junkee.com/featured-podcast-99-invisible/2273. 2014-02-21. 2014-02-17. Junkee. Junkee Media. en-US.
  14. Web site: Walker. Rob. 2013-07-29. The Best Podcasts You Aren't Listening to but Should Be. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20140219001220/http://news.yahoo.com/best-podcasts-itunes-193044509.html. 2014-02-19. 2014-02-17. Yahoo News. Verizon Media. en-US.
  15. Web site: Sawyer. Miranda. 2013-05-25. Rewind Radio: 99% Invisible. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20140203154721/http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2013/may/26/99-per-cent-invisible-radio-review. 2014-02-03. 2014-02-17. The Guardian. Guardian News & Media. en-GB.
  16. Web site: Feifer. Jason. 2013-05-13. Most Creative People 2013: 63. Roman Mars. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20140214072427/http://www.fastcompany.com/3009142/most-creative-people-2013/63-roman-mars. 2014-02-14. 2014-02-17. Fast Company. en-US.
  17. Web site: 2014-01-29. Most Creative People in Business 1000: The Complete List. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20140217174705/http://www.fastcompany.com/3025456/most-creative-people/most-creative-people-in-business-1000-the-complete-list. 2014-02-17. 2014-02-17. Fast Company. en-US.
  18. Web site: iTunes Store. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20140605174116/https://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewTop?cc=us&genreId=26&popId=3. 2014-06-05. 2014-02-17. iTunes. Apple.
  19. Web site: 99% Invisible by Roman Mars. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20140417182915/https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/99-invisible/id394775318?mt=2. 2014-04-17. 2014-02-17. iTunes. Apple. en-US.
  20. Web site: 2015. And the Gold Goes To. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20151027103201/http://thirdcoastfestival.org/library/1838-and-the-winners-are. 2015-10-27. 2021-01-23. Third Coast International Audio Festival. en-US.
  21. News: Dockterman. Eliana. 2017-03-30. The 50 Best Podcasts Right Now. en-US. Time USA. live. 2021-01-23. https://web.archive.org/web/20200626181502/https://time.com/4709592/best-podcasts-2017/. 2020-06-26.
  22. Web site: Goldberg . Kevin . 2019-11-21 . Announcing the winners of the 2019 Discover Pods Awards . live . 2022-04-05 . Discover Pods Awards . en-US. https://web.archive.org/web/20191222145105/https://awards.discoverpods.com/announcing-the-winners-of-the-2019-discover-pods-awards/ . 2019-12-22 .
  23. Web site: Goldberg . Kevin . 2021-10-19 . Announcing the winners of the 2021 Discover Pods Awards . live . 2022-04-05 . Discover Pods Awards . en-US. https://web.archive.org/web/20211019155029/https://awards.discoverpods.com/announcing-the-winners-of-the-2021-discover-pods-awards/ . 2021-10-19 .
  24. Web site: 2016 . Webby Winner: 99% Invisible - Radiotopia . live . 2022-04-05 . . en-US. https://web.archive.org/web/20210613211444/https://winners.webbyawards.com/2016/apps-and-software/mobile-ott-app-features/best-podcast/162403/99-invisible . 2021-06-13 .
  25. Web site: 2017 . People's Voice Winner: 99% Invisible - PRX . live . 2022-04-05 . . en. https://web.archive.org/web/20200926085859/https://winners.webbyawards.com/2017/podcasts/features/best-host/23740/99-invisible . 2020-09-26 .
  26. Web site: 2020 . Hear Guggenheim Staff and 99% Invisible's Roman Mars on the Museum's Architecture . live . 2022-04-05 . . en-US. https://web.archive.org/web/20220405201233/https://winners.webbyawards.com/2020/podcasts/limited-series-specials/arts-culture/114128/hear-guggenheim-staff-and-99-invisibles-roman-mars-on-the-museums-architecture . 2022-04-05 .
  27. Web site: Academy of Podcasters: Past Winners . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20171003154507/http://academyofpodcasters.com/past-winners/ . October 3, 2017 . Academy of Podcasters . Podcast Movement.
  28. Web site: August 23, 2017 . 2017 Finalist . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20190205214327/http://academyofpodcasters.com/winners-and-nominees/ . February 5, 2019 . Academy of Podcasters . Podcast Movement.
  29. Web site: 2012-12-10. The Political Stage. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20201124010940/https://99percentinvisible.org/episode/episode-63-the-political-stage/. 2020-11-24. 2021-01-23. 99% Invisible. en-US.
  30. Web site: 2013-07-16. Ladislav Sutnar + Trading Places with Planet Money. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20210121122446/https://99percentinvisible.org/episode/episode-84-ladislav-sutnar-trading-places-with/. 2021-01-21. 2021-01-23. 99% Invisible. en-US.
  31. Web site: Articles of Interest. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20191201001629/https://99percentinvisible.org/aoi/. 2019-12-01. 2019-12-01. 99% Invisible. PRX. en-US.
  32. Web site: Mars. Roman. 2019-10-03. Roman Mars on Twitter. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20191004035838/https://twitter.com/romanmars/status/1179967875135631366. 2019-10-04. 2019-12-01. Twitter. en-US.
  33. Web site: September 2, 2020. Joshua. Dudley. '99% Invisible' podcast host Roman Mars looks back at 10 years of uncovering design. 2021-01-23. San Francisco Arts & Entertainment Guide. en-US.
  34. News: Jackson. Kenneth T.. 2020-10-06. The Hidden Wonders of a City, Made Visible. en-US. The New York Times. live. 2021-01-23. https://web.archive.org/web/20201101014630/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/06/books/review/the-99-percent-invisible-city-roman-mars-kurt-kohlstedt.html. 2020-11-01. 0362-4331.
  35. Web site: Shapiro. Ari. 2020-10-07. In New Book, Roman Mars Celebrates Little Bits Of Design That Are Left Unnoticed. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20201008201521/https://www.npr.org/2020/10/07/921287344/in-new-book-roman-mars-celebrates-little-bits-of-design-that-are-left-unnoticed. 2020-10-08. 2021-01-23. National Public Radio. en-US.
  36. News: Rachini. Mouhamad. Sturino. Idella. 2021-01-11. Roman Mars Spotlights Cool Urban Design Elements in His Book the 99% Invisible City. en-CA. Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. live. 2021-01-23. https://web.archive.org/web/20210112014203/https://www.cbc.ca/radio/thecurrent/the-current-for-jan-11-2021-1.5868396/roman-mars-spotlights-cool-urban-design-elements-in-his-book-the-99-invisible-city-1.5868554. 2021-01-12.
  37. Web site: 2020-10-08. Roman Mars turns the 99% Invisible city into a 100% visible book. 2021-01-23. KCRW. en.
  38. Web site: 2020-10-19. Book, '99% Invisible,' Explores The Hidden World Of Urban Design. 2021-01-23. 90.1 FM WABE. en-US.
  39. Web site: Uncovering the mysteries of everyday design with the hosts of '99% Invisible'. 2021-01-23. MPR News. December 3, 2020 .
  40. Web site: 2020-10-09. Q&A: From Podcast to Print, Roman Mars Discusses The 99% Invisible City. 2021-01-23. Metropolis. en-US.
  41. Web site: Donlan. Christian. 2020-10-17. The 99% Invisible City has a surprising amount to say about games. 2021-01-23. Eurogamer. en.

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