Topic

Art, Culture & Design

A collection of 74 issues

Dealt a Different Hand: The Hanafuda Card Company That Became Nintendo

Long before Mario, Nintendo's empire was built on handmade 'Hanafuda' playing cards. Founded in 1889, this core business laid the foundation for an innovative spirit that, after a century of deals with Disney and strange business ventures, would eventually lead them to the world of video games.

An Upside-Down Nursery: The Brilliant, Counterintuitive Design of the Koala's Pouch

A koala's pouch opens downwards, a seemingly risky design for a tree-climbing animal. But this counterintuitive orientation is a clever adaptation, keeping debris out while a powerful sphincter muscle holds the joey securely inside, showcasing a unique evolutionary solution.

The Triple Crown of Television: Unpacking the Rarest Feat in Emmy Awards History

In the prestigious history of the Primetime Emmy Awards, achieving a 'perfect season' is almost mythical. Only three shows have ever managed to sweep all seven major categories: the groundbreaking miniseries 'Angels in America,' the beloved sitcom 'Schitt’s Creek,' and the royal drama 'The Crown.'

The London 'Fry-scraper': How 20 Fenchurch Street Accidentally Melted Cars with Its Solar Death Ray

London's iconic 'Walkie-Talkie' skyscraper, 20 Fenchurch Street, had a fiery start. Its unique concave design acted as a giant mirror, focusing sunlight into a 'death ray' that melted car parts and cooked eggs on the pavement below, reaching temperatures of over 117°C (243°F).

The Vaudeville Star Who Told The Beatles 'No': The Story Behind an Iconic Album Cover

When asked to appear on the cover of The Beatles' Sgt. Pepper's album, legendary actress Mae West initially refused. Famous for her wit and confidence, she quipped, “What would I be doing in a Lonely Hearts Club?” She only agreed after receiving a personal letter of admiration from the band.

From Dachau to Duke: The Incredible Life of Franz of Bavaria, Britain's 'Other' King

Meet Franz of Bavaria, the 90-year-old Jacobite heir to the British throne. A survivor of Nazi concentration camps at age 11, he became a celebrated art connoisseur and has been in a same-sex partnership for over 40 years. His life is a remarkable story of resilience and dignity.

From Fellini's Tears to Fosse's Jazz Hands: The Surprising Link Between 'Nights of Cabiria' and 'Sweet Charity'

The iconic 60s musical 'Sweet Charity,' with its brassy tunes and Bob Fosse choreography, is a direct adaptation of Federico Fellini's bleak 1957 Italian neorealist film, 'Nights of Cabiria,' which follows the tragic life of a Roman prostitute.

By the Numbers: Why Game of Thrones' Unprecedented 59 Emmy Wins Tell a Complicated Story

Game of Thrones holds the record for most Emmy wins by a drama series with 59 trophies. This staggering number more than doubles the 26 wins held by television legends 'Hill Street Blues' and 'The West Wing,' cementing a complex and controversial awards legacy in television history.