25 minApr 7, 2026

Carrie Blast Furnace Mystery Solved, Hollywood Money & Space Research

Show Notes

Rivers of Steel finally figured out who the Carrie Blast Furnace was named after! Roman Hladio, chief reporter at NEXTpittsburgh, joins host Megan Harris to spill the tea about Carrie Clarke's life, and explain the "polite sexism" behind naming local blast furnaces after women. Plus, they discuss why we just had a record-breaking year for film and TV spending in Pittsburgh, and how space exploration could lead to medical breakthroughs here on Earth, all thanks to a new research lab at the University of Pittsburgh.

Notes and references from today’s show:

Movie and TV projects spent a record-breaking $300 million while filming in Pittsburgh last year [NEXTpittsburgh]
What can space exploration teach us about human health? New Pitt research lab to find the answer [NEXTpittsburgh]
Who is Carrie of the Carrie Blast Furnace? Rivers of Steel finally has an answer [NEXTpittsburgh]

Learn more about the sponsors of this April 7th episode:

Pittsburgh Cultural Trust

City Theatre

Clearview FCU

Window Nation

Sustainable Pittsburgh

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