The Statistician Who Beat the Lottery—And Then Gave the Secret Away

A geological statistician, Mohan Srivastava, discovered a flaw in a Canadian Tic-Tac-Toe scratch-off game, allowing him to identify winning tickets with 90% accuracy. Instead of exploiting it, he reported the flaw, finding his day job more profitable and fulfilling.

How South Park's Creators Won an R-Rating Battle Against a Studio's Absurd Bluff

In 1999, Trey Parker and Matt Stone fought for an R-rating for their South Park movie against Paramount, which wanted a more profitable PG-13. The studio's absurd tactic? An executive feigned ignorance, asking if R-rated films made more money. The creators didn't fall for the bluff.

More Than Esperanto: Discovering the World of Constructed Universal Languages

Esperanto is the most famous universal language, but it's just one of many. Discover the diverse world of auxiliary languages, from the logical Lojban to the minimalist Toki Pona, each designed with the ambitious goal of uniting humanity through a single, easy-to-learn tongue.

The Martyr on the Scaffold: Why King Charles I Chose Death for His Church

King Charles I is venerated as a martyr by High Church Anglicans. They argue his execution was a direct result of his refusal to sacrifice the episcopal structure and sovereignty of the Church of England to a Puritan-led Parliament, choosing death over violating his sacred coronation oath.

The Pitch That Launched a Million Machines: How 'Artificial Intelligence' Got Its Name

In 1955, 'artificial intelligence' wasn't a buzzword but a clever phrase in a funding proposal. Computer scientist John McCarthy coined the term to secure a grant for a summer workshop, inadvertently naming and launching the entire field of AI research we know today.

From Rom-Com Star to Rogue One: The Unheard Musical Talent of Dermot Mulroney

You know Dermot Mulroney from films like 'My Best Friend's Wedding,' but did you know he's a classically trained cellist? He has played in the orchestra for blockbuster scores like Jurassic World, Rogue One, and Spider-Man: Homecoming, a hidden talent that adds a fascinating layer to his career.

Georgium Sidus: The Planet We Almost Called 'George'

In 1781, discoverer William Herschel tried to name the seventh planet 'Georgium Sidus' (George's Star) after King George III. The name proved unpopular outside of Britain, and German astronomer Johann Bode's mythological suggestion, 'Uranus,' ultimately prevailed after decades of debate.

Why is the Coronado Bridge Curved? The Genius Engineering Behind a San Diego Icon

The Coronado Bridge's iconic curve is a clever engineering feat. It extends the bridge's length to 2.12 miles, allowing it to reach the 200-foot height required for Navy warships to pass underneath while maintaining a safe, gradual incline over the short span of San Diego Bay.

The Branded Hand: How a U.S. Marshal's Mark of Shame Became an Abolitionist's Badge of Honor

Abolitionist Jonathan Walker was publicly branded with 'SS' (Slave Stealer) by a U.S. Marshal after a failed attempt to help seven enslaved people escape to freedom in 1844. Instead of shame, Walker embraced the brand as a badge of honor, becoming a powerful symbol for the movement.

Abandoned Thrice: The Brutal Childhood That Forged Lafcadio Hearn

Lafcadio Hearn, a celebrated writer of ghost stories and Japanese folklore, endured a brutal childhood. Born in Greece to an Irish father and Greek mother, he was abandoned first by his father, then his mother, and finally by the great-aunt who raised him, leaving him destitute and alone.