About this episode

Roman Mars discusses how the US has used design to shape the modern world.

As 4th July approaches, we think you’ll like this episode of The Global Story. All week, The Global Story podcast is exploring the surprising and often hidden ways the US has shaped the modern world. Roman Mars – the host of 99% Invisible and the new BBC series A History of the United States in 100 Objects – joins as a guest to set out his theory of how the US used design to shape the world in its image. If you like this episode, find the special collection ‘US and the World at 250’ in The Global Story. If you’re in the UK, listen on BBC Sounds. If you’re outside the UK, listen on BBC.com or wherever you get your podcasts.

People in this episode

Host: Melvyn Bragg

Guest: Roman Mars

Topics covered

• US influence
• design
• modern world
• soft power
• cultural impact

Keywords

• soft power
• design
• US history
• cultural influence
• podcast

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: BBC

Books & works: 99% Invisible, A History of the United States in 100 Objects

Places: US, UK, BBC.com

More episodes of In Our Time With Melvyn Bragg

• The Delian League · July 16, 2026 · 58 min
• Machado de Assis · July 9, 2026 · 58 min
• The Evolution of Trees · July 2, 2026 · 58 min
• The Welsh Marches · June 25, 2026 · 56 min
• The Levellers · June 18, 2026 · 59 min
• The Garamantes · June 11, 2026 · 1h 2m

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the In Our Time With Melvyn Bragg podcast page.