American Experience Season 35 Episode 1 The Lie Detector

In American Experience season 35 episode 1 entitled "The Lie Detector," viewers are taken on a journey through the history and controversy surrounding the invention and use of the polygraph machine. From the early days of its creation in the 1920s to its widespread adoption in law enforcement and government agencies, the lie detector has been a subject of both fascination and skepticism.

Through a combination of interviews with experts, archival footage, and dramatizations, the episode explores the origins of the device and its original purpose as a tool for medical diagnosis. However, it didn't take long for law enforcement to see the potential for using the polygraph as a way to determine guilt or innocence in criminal cases.

The episode delves into the contentious debates that have surrounded the use of the polygraph in the legal system, with critics arguing that the machine is unreliable and can be easily fooled. Despite this, the polygraph has been used in countless criminal investigations, from the infamous trial of Bruno Hauptmann for the kidnapping and murder of Charles Lindbergh's son to the Watergate scandal.

The show also examines the cultural impact of the lie detector on American society, including its depictions in popular culture. From film noir to daytime talk shows, the polygraph has been a fixture in American entertainment, often portrayed as the ultimate truth-telling tool.

With engaging storytelling and insightful commentary, "The Lie Detector" is a fascinating exploration of a technology that has both captured imaginations and sparked controversy for nearly a century. Viewers are left with new insights and a deeper understanding of the history and complexity of the polygraph machine and its role in American society.