Welcome to Episode 63 of The Incredible Machines podcast! In this thought-provoking conversation, Jon Oliff and Luke Holden sit down with Dr. Candice Bailey, a journalist, science communicator, researcher and coauthor of We Were Always Here: Stories of Black Inventors Across the African Diaspora.
Her relationship with storytelling began early. She started a small community newspaper while still at school, later helped launch a campus newspaper, worked as a crime and investigative journalist and eventually completed a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the University of the Witwatersrand, a path she describes as almost accidental.
Through stories of inventors working across telecommunications, space exploration, medicine, sustainability and everyday technology, Candice and the hosts explore a recurring theme: innovation rarely arrives without failure. From Victor Lawrence’s contribution to modern telecommunications to inventors turning environmental problems into practical solutions, the episode looks at the perseverance behind invention and the importance of approaching familiar problems differently.
This episode is a must listen for anyone interested in journalism, innovation, African history, science communication, representation and the power of knowing that people like you have done extraordinary things before.
⏱ Timestamped Overview
01:04 – Introduction to Dr Candice Bailey and We Were Always Here
05:27 – Why the book puts contemporary Black inventors first for young readers
07:11 – Candice on storytelling, music and growing up
13:08 – Discovering journalism and starting a community newspaper
16:01 – Studying journalism and starting her career as a crime reporter
21:28 – Moving from investigative journalism into an accidental PhD in politics
29:00 – Why We Were Always Here was created and the importance of retelling history
40:08 – Victor Lawrence and Patricia Cowings learnings and reflections.
47:11 – Katherine Johnson and George Carruthers learnings and reflections.
53:00 – South African inventions that solve everyday problems
01:10:42 – Why Black inventors need to receive credit for their work
01:17:53 – Patents, ownership and protecting new ideas
01:33:23 – The future of We Were Always Here and getting the book into schools and libraries
💬 Quote of the Episode
“When you are enthusiastic about what you do, you feel this positive energy. It’s very simple.” – Paulo Coelho
"For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction." – Newton's Third Law of Motion
🧠 Related Campaign Example
Volkswagen's classic South African TV Campaign: Candice chose a Volkswagen advert that she remembers from childhood. Beyond the product itself, she connects with its music, storytelling and depiction of life in South Africa, particularly the way it brings back memories of growing up in Cape Town.
Volkswagen's classic South African TV Campaign: https://youtu.be/DkWmA8hcRPc?si=qyHEwCziBK-UiU5Y
👣 Relevant Links & Mentions
Dr. Candice Bailey Website: https://theconversation.com/profiles/candice-bailey-161268
Dr. Candice Bailey LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candice-bailey-61b108a/
Dr. Candice Bailey Twitter: https://x.com/candice_bailey
Purchase the We Were Always Here book via this link: https://wewerealwayshere.com/
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