Topic

History

A collection of 463 issues

The Spy in the Stacks: How a KGB Archivist's Secret Notes Exposed 50 Years of Soviet Secrets

In 1992, disillusioned KGB archivist Vasili Mitrokhin defected to the UK with 25,000 pages of notes. Hidden beneath his dacha, they detailed 50 years of Soviet covert operations, becoming one of the greatest intelligence coups of the 20th century.

History Biography & Personal Stories Wars, Conflict & Heroes

The Dragonfly and the Engine: Disney's Cleverest Character Name in 'The Rescuers'

The heroic dragonfly Evinrude from Disney's 1977 film 'The Rescuers' wasn't just a random name. He was intentionally named after the Evinrude Outboard Motors company, a clever nod to his role as the sputtering, buzzing engine for a leaf-boat in the Devil's Bayou.

Entertainment & Media Business & Economics History

One Letter Off: The Story of the Only Misspelling on the Borg-Warner Trophy

Johnnie Parsons is the only Indianapolis 500 winner whose name is misspelled on the Borg-Warner Trophy. After his rain-shortened victory in 1950, the silversmith engraved 'Johnny' instead of 'Johnnie,' a permanent error that adds a unique human touch to motorsport's most famous prize.

Sports & Games History Biography & Personal Stories

Dialing the Divine: The Curious Case of Vatican City's Unused Country Code

Vatican City was assigned the international dialing code +379 but never implemented it. For practical reasons, the world's smallest state is integrated into Italy's telephone network, using the country code +39 followed by Rome's area code, making its numbers indistinguishable from local ones.

Technology & Innovation Geography & Places History

When Ego Met Improv: The Story of SNL's Worst Host Ever, Steven Seagal

In 1991, action star Steven Seagal hosted SNL, claiming he'd never heard of it. He refused to be the butt of any joke, scrapped planned skits, and wrote his own where he beat up his personal stuntmen, earning him a permanent ban and the title of 'worst host ever' from Lorne Michaels.

Entertainment & Media History

From Spite to Spice: The Fiery Origin of Nashville Hot Chicken

Nashville Hot Chicken began as an act of revenge. A woman tried to punish her cheating boyfriend, Thornton Prince, with an overly spicy chicken dish. Instead of suffering, he loved it, perfected the recipe, and opened the now-famous Prince's Hot Chicken Shack.

Food & Lifestyle History

The Unlikely Best-Seller: How a Computer Named MADDIDA Dominated 1952 with Just Six Sales

In 1952, the commercial computer market was born. The best-selling digital computer wasn't a giant mainframe, but the 'desk-sized' MADDIDA, a specialized machine that sold a grand total of six units, marking a pivotal, if tiny, first step in the digital revolution.

Technology & Innovation History Business & Economics

Lost in the Amazon: The 20-Year Separation and Unbelievable Survival of Isabel Godin

Separated from her husband for 20 years by colonial politics, Isabel Godin des Odonais undertook a perilous 3,000-mile journey through the Amazon to reunite with him. She was the sole survivor of her 42-person party, enduring unimaginable hardship before their eventual reunion.

Biography & Personal Stories History Adventure & Exploration

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