Topic

History

A collection of 372 issues

Beyond the Piston: Rediscovering the Ingenious World of External Combustion Engines

We all know internal combustion engines, but their counterpart, External Combustion Engines (ECEs), are a fascinating and distinct category. From classic steam trains to modern solar power, ECEs generate power by heating a fluid from an outside source, offering unique fuel flexibility.

The Great Race of 1908: How an American Car Won the 'Around the World' Race by Finishing Second

In 1908, six cars embarked on an insane 22,000-mile race from New York to Paris. Battling blizzards and roadless terrain, the American Thomas Flyer won the 169-day ordeal, but only after the German team that finished first was penalized for taking a shortcut.

A Known Flaw: How 57 Tire Blowouts Led to Concorde's Tragic End

The fiery crash of Concorde Flight 4590 wasn't a freak accident. It was the catastrophic culmination of a known design flaw that had caused 57 previous tire blowouts. This is the story of the warnings that were tragically ignored, leading to the demise of a supersonic icon.

Faster Than The Sun: The Story of Concorde's Unbeaten 2-Hour, 52-Minute Atlantic Crossing

In February 1996, a British Airways Concorde flew from New York to London in a staggering 2 hours, 52 minutes, and 59 seconds. This record for the fastest passenger transatlantic flight remains unbroken, a testament to a golden age of supersonic travel that has since vanished.

Echoes of Consumption: The Lost Story of Doc Holliday and His Adopted Brother

The legend of Doc Holliday is steeped in tragedy, but a lesser-known story is that of his adopted Mexican brother, Francisco. Rescued after the Mexican-American War, he became part of the family, only to suffer the same cruel fate as Doc: a premature death from tuberculosis.

The Beef With Wendy's: How an 81-Year-Old Star Got Fired for Finding It

In 1985, Wendy's fired Clara Peller, the iconic star of their "Where's the beef?" campaign. Her crime? Appearing in a Prego ad and declaring, "I found it!" Wendy's claimed this implied she found the beef somewhere else, ending a legendary partnership.

A Town, Not a Village: The Legal Loophole That Created a Spanish Exclave in France

How did a Spanish town get stranded in France? The 1659 Treaty of the Pyrenees ceded 33 'villages' to France. But Llívia, an ancient capital, held the official status of a 'town,' not a village. This clever legal distinction allowed it to remain Spanish, creating a unique European exclave.