# Story of the Polygraph

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/history-dispatches-7236148/story-of-the-polygraph
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/history-dispatches-7236148/story-of-the-polygraph.md
Podcast: [History Dispatches](https://stenobird.com/podcast/history-dispatches-7236148)
Published: 2026-08-21T07:10:00+00:00
Episode link: https://pdrl.fm/ccb7c9/rss.pdrl.fm/ccb7c9/tracking.swap.fm/track/YfZO4tERxneauNcW9Fgn/mgln.ai/e/211/traffic.megaphone.fm/ARML1530427483.mp3
Audio file: https://pdrl.fm/ccb7c9/rss.pdrl.fm/ccb7c9/tracking.swap.fm/track/YfZO4tERxneauNcW9Fgn/mgln.ai/e/211/traffic.megaphone.fm/ARML1530427483.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/history-dispatches-7236148/episodes/story-of-the-polygraph
Duration seconds: 1272

## Resource

The ability to tell if someone is lying has long been something humans have attempted to perfect. From torture to psychology, it is the holy grail of criminal investigation. In 1921, a PhD student and police rookie, John Larson, may have cracked the code by inventing the polygraph. It is an invention, many said, that was sure to change the face of criminology forever. Or maybe not. Did he instead unleash a monster into the world? This is the story of the polygraph. Sources https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/lie-detector-1000-words/ https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/why-creator-first-lie-detectors-regret-invention-polygraph-machine-inventor-180985222/ https://illumin.usc.edu/lie-detection-the-science-and-development-of-the-polygraph/ Image: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polygraph#/media/File:Leonarde_Keeler_1937.jpg Sponsor Go to factormeals.com/dispatchespod50off to get 50 percent off and free daily greens per box. New subscribers only. While supplies last until 09/27/2026. (See website for more details). History Dispatches is part of the Airwave Media Network: www.airwavemedia.com Interested in advertising on History Dispatches? Email us at advertising@airwavemedia.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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## Transcript

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