Topic

History

A collection of 430 issues

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.

History Adventure & Exploration Sports & Games

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.

History Technology & Innovation

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.

History Technology & Innovation

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.

Biography & Personal Stories History Medicine, Psychology & Health

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.

Business & Economics Entertainment & Media History

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.

Geography & Places History

Hitler's Golden Handcuffs: The Secret Slush Fund That Bought the Wehrmacht's Loyalty

During WWII, Hitler operated "Konto 5," a secret slush fund dispensing 40 million tax-free Reichsmarks annually to senior generals. This official bribery scheme ensured personal loyalty by intertwining their financial fortunes with the survival of the Nazi regime.

History Wars, Conflict & Heroes

How The California Raisins Funded N.W.A.'s 'Straight Outta Compton'

Priority Records, the label that introduced N.W.A. to the world, has a shocking origin. It was founded in the 80s as a novelty label with one purpose: to release albums for the fictional claymation R&B group, The California Raisins. Their success funded the rise of gangsta rap.

Music History Business & Economics

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