Topic

History

A collection of 369 issues

The Ugly Duckling Jet That Taught NASA to Fly Vertically: The Story of the Bell X-14

The Bell X-14 was a one-of-a-kind experimental VTOL jet built from spare parts. Flown by NASA for over two decades, its pioneering research into thrust vectoring provided crucial data that directly influenced the development of modern aircraft like the Harrier and the F-35B.

Edinburgh's Enduring Enigma: The Tiny Coffins of Arthur's Seat

In 1836, 17 miniature coffins containing tiny dolls were found in a cave on Arthur's Seat, Edinburgh. Their purpose remains a mystery, with theories ranging from witchcraft to a memorial for Burke and Hare's victims. In 2014, a mysterious 18th coffin was sent to the museum.

The Glitch That Became the Game: Basketball's Dribble Was Never Supposed to Exist

The rhythmic dribble, central to modern basketball, wasn't in the original rules. In 1897, the Yale University team found a loophole, bouncing the ball to themselves to move. This 'exploit' was so effective it was quickly written into the official rules, forever changing the game.

A River in the Sky: The Day 3.5 Billion Passenger Pigeons Blocked the Sun

In 1866, a single flock of passenger pigeons in Ontario stretched 500km long and contained over 3.5 billion birds, taking 14 hours to pass. This unimaginable natural wonder was driven to complete extinction by humans in just a few decades, a stark reminder of our ecological impact.

The Unlikely Saboteurs: How Squirrels Crashed the Nasdaq Stock Market Twice

Did you know the high-tech Nasdaq market was halted not by hackers, but by squirrels? In 1987 and 1994, these furry rodents chewed through power lines, causing significant outages and reminding Wall Street that even the most complex systems are vulnerable to nature's simplest problems.

The Leviathan of the Thames: Brunel's Great Eastern Was a Ship 40 Years Ahead of Its Time

Isambard Kingdom Brunel's SS Great Eastern (1858) was a maritime titan. The largest ship for four decades, it could carry 4,000 passengers to Australia without refueling. Its immense size necessitated a revolutionary and difficult sideways launch, marking it as a marvel of its era.