About this episode
Talking dolls have been around for over a century, but the fascination with making inanimate objects seem human reaches back into our early history. What is it about creating a companion that can interact with us, especially for a child, that fascinates us so? And what will that look like as our technology continues to advance? Featuring Carlene Stephens, Curator for the Smithsonian National Museum of American History and Claire Gartland of the Electronic Privacy Information Center.
Twenty Thousand Hertz is produced by Defacto Sound.
Subscribe on YouTube to see our video series.
If you know what this week's mystery sound is, tell us at mystery.20k.org.
Support the show and get ad-free episodes at 20k.org/plus.
Follow Dallas on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
Join our community on Reddit.
Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: https://www.20k.org/episodes/dolls
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Get every episode summarized
Each time Twenty Thousand Hertz publishes, we email you a written briefing from the transcript — the topics, who appeared, and any specific claims, with the ad reads skipped.
Email me new episodesFree for 3 shows. No card needed.
Hosts & guests
No transcript yet
This episode has not been transcribed. Request it and it moves to the front of the queue.
More episodes
More from Twenty Thousand Hertz

The Poop Song Conspiracy
Twenty Thousand Hertz
May 11, 202639:44pending

The Heartfelt Music of Bluey w/ Composer Joff Bush
Twenty Thousand Hertz
May 4, 202630:10pending

The Acoustic Worlds of Radiolab Creator Jad Abumrad
Twenty Thousand Hertz
Apr 20, 202636:24failed

He was deaf for 35 years + Listener Stories kickoff
Twenty Thousand Hertz
Mar 23, 202629:44failed