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99% Invisible · June 30, 2026 · 00:31:56

Transatlantic Fiber-Optic Expialidocious

99% Invisible tells the story of the audacious project to lay the first transatlantic fiber-optic cable, a gamble that would ultimately enable the global internet. The episode explores the enormous financial and engineering risks involved in connecting continents with light-speed data. It reveals how this invisible infrastructure became the backbone of modern communication, and the visionaries who bet on a connected world.

This summary was generated from show notes and public descriptions, not from a full transcript review. Details may contain inaccuracies.

Highlights

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The Undersea Gamble
Laying the first transatlantic fiber-optic cable was a high-stakes bet with no guarantee of success.
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From Copper to Light
The switch from copper telegraph cables to fiber optics transformed the capacity and speed of global communication.
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The Internet's Invisible Backbone
The physical infrastructure of the internet – undersea cables – is largely invisible to users.

Editorial

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A 99% Invisible Story
The episode embodies the show's mission: revealing the overlooked design and engineering that shapes our world.
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