Math! Science! History!

By: Gabrielle Birchak
  • Summary

  • Math! Science! History! is a podcast about the history of people, theories, and discoveries that have moved our scientific progress forward and spurred us on to unimaginable discoveries. Join Gabrielle Birchak for a little math, a little science, and a little history. All in a little bit of time.
    © 2025
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Episodes
  • FLASHCARDS: How Math Can Instantly Improve Your Photography
    Apr 11 2025
    Welcome to Flashcard Friday on Math Science History! In today’s bite-sized episode, we shift focus, literally and figuratively, onto photography. Whether you're using a smartphone or a professional camera, this quick guide reveals how simple mathematical concepts can dramatically improve your photo compositions. From the rule of thirds to the golden ratio and the exposure triangle, discover how math isn't just behind the lens, it is the lens. Packed with practical tips and examples, this episode shows you how math and creativity go hand in hand when capturing the perfect shot. Three Things You’ll Learn: How to use math-based composition tools like the rule of thirds, leading lines, symmetry, and the golden ratio to frame beautiful photographs. The Exposure Triangle explained — how shutter speed, ISO, and aperture work together mathematically to create the perfect lighting and depth. How focal length and depth of field are measured and manipulated using math, helping you control space, distance, and clarity in your photos. 🏛 Links & Resources: Some of the links in the show notes are affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase through them, I may earn a small commission—at no extra cost to you. It helps support the podcast and keeps Math Science History going! Photography Books Understanding Exposure by Bryan Peterson A foundational guide for mastering shutter speed, aperture, and ISO. Read This If You Want to Take Great Photographs by Henry Carroll A visually engaging book with essential tips on composition and style. The Photographer’s Eye by Michael FreemanDeep dive into design, composition, and storytelling through images. The Digital Photography Book by Scott Kelby Packed with hands-on tips, tricks, and gear suggestions for everyday photographers. Mastering Aperture, Shutter Speed, ISO and Exposure by Al Judge Easy-to-follow guide for controlling manual settings to capture perfect images. Photography Tools & Accessories UBeesize 50” Extendable Tripod with Bluetooth Remote Lightweight and portable tripod perfect for phones or compact cameras. Neewer 58-In-1 Camera Accessory KitA great starter bundle with lens filters, cleaning tools, and tripod adapters. Aureday Ring Light with Tripod Stand Bright, adjustable lighting perfect for portraits or indoor shoots. ColorChecker Passport Photo 2 by CalibriteProfessional color calibration tool to perfect your tones in post-production. SanDisk Extreme PRO SD Memory Card (128GB) High-speed memory card built for RAW shooting and HD video recording. 🔗 Explore more on our website: mathsciencehistory.com 📚 To buy my book Hypatia: The Sum of Her Life on Amazon, visit https://a.co/d/g3OuP9h 🌍 Let’s Connect! 🎧 Enjoying the Podcast? If you love Math, Science, History, here’s how you can help:🌟 Leave a review – It helps more people discover the show!📢 Share this episode with friends & fellow history buffs!🔔 Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform ☕ Support the Show If you’d like to support Math, Science, History, consider:💡 Becoming a patron: https://www.patreon.com/mathsciencehistory/gift 🛍 Checking out our merch: https://www.mathsciencehistory.com/the-store 🎙 Sponsored By: Coffee!! https://shorturl.at/bHIsc 🎵 Music: All music is public domain and has no Copyright and no rights reserved. On Matters of Consequence from The Little Prince by Lloyd Rodgers Until next time, carpe diem!
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    7 mins
  • Gérard Desargues: A Genius Who Revolutionized Geometry
    Apr 8 2025

    🔎 Episode Overview:

    In this episode of Math, Science, History, we dive into the fascinating life and work of Gérard Desargues, the 17th-century mathematician, engineer, and architect whose groundbreaking ideas in projective geometry laid the foundation for modern mathematical thought. Despite his contributions, Desargues’ work was largely ignored during his lifetime, overshadowed by more well-known figures like René Descartes. However, his theorem and insights into perspective have since become essential in fields ranging from architecture to computer graphics. Join us as we explore how Desargues’ ideas helped shape the way we understand space, depth, and geometry today!

    🧠 What You’ll Learn:

    The Birth of Projective Geometry – How Desargues developed the mathematical principles behind perspective and why his theorem remains crucial in geometry.

    His Overlooked Legacy – Why Desargues’ work was ignored for centuries and how it was rediscovered in the 19th century.

    Modern Applications – How his ideas are used today in architecture, engineering, computer graphics, and even virtual reality.

    🏛 Links & Resources:

    Oeuvres de Desargues (Cambridge Library Collection - Mathematics) (French Edition) https://amzn.to/4inV9Ve

    History of Projective Geometry – Encyclopedia Britannica.

    Marin Mersenne and the Mathematical Circle – Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy.


    🔗 Explore more on our website: mathsciencehistory.com
    📚 To buy my book Hypatia: The Sum of Her Life on Amazon, visit https://a.co/d/g3OuP9h

    🌍 Let’s Connect!

    Website: mathsciencehistory.com
    Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/mathsciencehistory.bsky.social
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/math.science.history

    🎧 Enjoying the Podcast?

    If you love Math, Science, History, here’s how you can help:
    🌟 Leave a review – It helps more people discover the show!
    📢 Share this episode with friends & fellow history buffs!
    🔔 Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform

    ☕ Support the Show: Coffee!! https://shorturl.at/bHIsc

    If you’d like to support Math, Science, History, consider:
    💡 Becoming a patron: https://www.patreon.com/mathsciencehistory/gift

    🛍 Checking out our merch: https://www.mathsciencehistory.com/the-store

    🎵 Music: All music is public domain and has no Copyright and no rights reserved.
    Selections from The Little Prince by Lloyd Rodgers

    Until next time, carpe diem!

    Show more Show less
    20 mins
  • FLASHCARDS: Hot and Cold Hacks for Temp Conversion
    Apr 4 2025

    FLASHCARDS: Hot and Cold Hacks for Temp Conversion

    🔎 Episode Overview

    In this episode of Flashcard Friday on Math, Science, History, we dive into the fascinating history of temperature measurement and introduce an easy mental trick for converting between Fahrenheit and Celsius. Learn how Gabriel Fahrenheit and Anders Celsius developed their temperature scales, why different countries use different systems, and how a simple formula can help you quickly convert between them—so you’ll never pack the wrong clothes for your trip again!

    🧠 What You’ll Learn:

    ✔️ The History of Temperature Scales
    ✔️ Quick Mental Conversion Trick
    ✔️ Why Different Countries Use Different Scales

    🏛 Links & Resources:

    Thermometers!
    Round Galileo Thermometer https://amzn.to/43vRe4r

    Analog Weather Station https://amzn.to/4bisRJa

    Galileo Thermometer with Glass Globe Barometer https://amzn.to/4igK5sA

    Retro Indoor Outdoor Thermometer https://amzn.to/3QybgmP

    🔗 Explore more on our website: mathsciencehistory.com
    📚 To buy my book Hypatia: The Sum of Her Life on Amazon, visit https://a.co/d/g3OuP9h

    🌍 Let’s Connect!

    Website: mathsciencehistory.com
    Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/mathsciencehistory.bsky.social
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/math.science.history

    🎧 Enjoying the Podcast?

    If you love Math, Science, History, here’s how you can help:
    🌟 Leave a review – It helps more people discover the show!
    📢 Share this episode with friends & fellow history buffs!
    🔔 Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform

    ☕ Support the Show

    If you’d like to support Math, Science, History, consider:
    💡 Becoming a patron: https://www.patreon.com/mathsciencehistory/gift

    🛍 Checking out our merch: https://www.mathsciencehistory.com/the-store

    🎙 Sponsored By: Coffee!! https://shorturl.at/bHIsc

    🎵 Music: All music is public domain and has no Copyright and no rights reserved.
    On Matters of Consequence from The Little Prince by Lloyd Rodgers

    Until next time, carpe diem!

    Show more Show less
    7 mins

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