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History

A collection of 430 issues

Not Just Random Debris: The Surprising True Story of the Man Named Shrapnel

Did you know 'shrapnel' isn't just any piece of metal from an explosion? The term comes from its inventor, Henry Shrapnel, a British officer who created a revolutionary exploding cannonball filled with musket balls, forever changing the face of warfare and etching his name into history.

History Wars, Conflict & Heroes Technology & Innovation

From Fields to Feet: The Ancient Barleycorn Secret Behind Your Shoe Size

Did you know modern shoe sizes are based on an ancient unit of measurement called the barleycorn? Defined as 1/3 of an inch by English royalty in 1324, this medieval standard dictates the seemingly arbitrary numbers on your shoes using a simple, centuries-old formula. It's a true historical relic.

History Food & Lifestyle

The Dirty Secret of Powdered Wigs: How Syphilis Styled an Era

Powdered wigs weren't just a fashion choice in 17th-18th century Europe. They were a practical solution to the rampant syphilis epidemic, covering hair loss and sores. What began as a medical cover-up, popularized by kings, quickly evolved into an extravagant symbol of wealth and status.

History Medicine, Psychology & Health Art, Culture & Design

The Nurse Who Died to Prove a Theory: Clara Maass and the Tragic Yellow Fever Experiments

In 1901, US Army experiments to prove yellow fever's mosquito transmission used human volunteers in Cuba. Nurse Clara Maass, the only American woman, volunteered twice. Her tragic death confirmed the theory, ended the tests, and helped conquer a deadly disease.

Biography & Personal Stories Medicine, Psychology & Health History

Before the Hit: The Story of How a-ha's 'Take on Me' Failed Twice

The iconic 1985 hit 'Take on Me' by a-ha wasn't an overnight success. It was a complete re-recording of a 1984 single that flopped. This is the story of a song that needed three attempts and a revolutionary music video to become a global anthem.

Music Entertainment & Media History

The Surprising Journey of 'Red, Red Wine': From a Neil Diamond Ballad to a UB40 Anthem

Most people know UB40's reggae classic 'Red, Red Wine,' but few realize it's a cover. The song was originally a somber ballad written and performed by Neil Diamond in 1967 before being transformed into the global anthem we know and love today.

Music History Entertainment & Media

The Phantom of the Parliament: How a Notorious War Criminal Held His Seat After Vanishing in a War Zone

Infamous WWII war criminal Masanobu Tsuji evaded justice to become a Japanese politician. He vanished in the Laotian jungle in 1961 but, because he was legally just "missing," he astonishingly kept his parliamentary seat until 1965, creating one of history's oddest political ghosts.

History Biography & Personal Stories Wars, Conflict & Heroes

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.

Technology & Innovation Science & Nature History

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