Topic

History

A collection of 463 issues

Worse Than the Titanic: The Forgotten Story of the SS Sultana, America's Deadliest Maritime Disaster

The SS Sultana disaster of 1865 remains the deadliest maritime tragedy in U.S. history. Over 1,100 people, mostly Union POWs returning home, died when the overcrowded steamboat's boilers exploded on the Mississippi River due to greed and a faulty repair. It was a tragedy lost in history.

History Wars, Conflict & Heroes

From 500 Pens to a Global Empire: The Only Loan IKEA Ever Took

In 1937, a teenage Ingvar Kamprad used a 500 krona loan to import pens, launching what would become IKEA. This single act of financing was the only external capital the company would take in its first 82 years, embedding a legendary culture of frugality and self-reliance into its DNA.

Business & Economics Biography & Personal Stories History

From Literal to Legendary: The Real Reason We Call It the 'Silver Screen'

The term 'Silver Screen' isn't just a metaphor. Early movie theaters literally used screens coated with silver or aluminum paint. This metallic surface was highly reflective, making the dim projections of the era bright enough for audiences to enjoy.

Entertainment & Media Technology & Innovation History

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

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