Hoover Dam

This episode will be available to listen to for free on 19th October 2026. You can listen to it right away by subscribing to Noiser+. Head to www.noiser.com/subscriptions for more information.

Truly a modern wonder of the world, the Hoover Dam is one of the great feats of human ingenuity. Its creation was a saga of large-scale ambition and engineering genius executed by a labour force of thousands working in gruelling conditions. The project involved the rerouting of a great river and the construction of a vast concrete edifice, and began as America was in the midst of an unprecedented economic slump.

But just what did it take to build this extraordinary landmark? Why was it considered such a vitally important project – and at what cost? And, almost 100 years since construction began, can it now be said that the sacrifice was worth it?

This is a Short History Of the Hoover Dam.

A Noiser podcast production. Hosted by John Hopkins. With thanks to Michael Green, Professor of History at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

Written by Dan Smith | Produced by Kate Simants | Production Assistant: Chris McDonald | Exec produced by Katrina Hughes | Sound supervisor: Matt Peaty | Sound design by Oliver Sanders | Assembly edit by Dorry Macaulay | Compositions by Oliver Baines, Dorry Macaulay, Tom Pink | Mix & mastering: Cody Reynolds-Shaw | Fact Check: Sean Coleman