Topic

History

A collection of 339 issues

The Pavlova Wars: Unraveling the Sweet Mystery of a Trans-Tasman Dessert

The Pavlova, a meringue dessert named for ballerina Anna Pavlova, is fiercely claimed by both Australia and New Zealand. While the debate rages, research suggests its true origins are European, predating the iconic dancer's tour and making this a truly international affair.

No War, No Peace: The Revolutionary Gamble That Almost Cost Lenin Everything

In 1918, Leon Trotsky gambled that Russia could exit WWI without a treaty, hoping to inspire a German revolution. The bluff failed, leading to a swift German invasion and a peace so humiliating it nearly fractured the new Bolshevik government. A stark lesson in idealism versus reality.

More Brawling Than Balling: The Wild Story of the First Basketball Game's 1-0 Final Score

Forget the NBA's high-flying dunks. The first basketball game, played in 1891, was a chaotic, 9-on-9 affair that ended in a shocking 1-0 victory. The only point came from a 25-foot shot in a game filled with tackling, punching, and peach baskets for hoops. It was pure mayhem.

Radioactive Bling: The Time Kix Cereal Put a Real Atomic Bomb Ring in a Box

In 1947, Kix cereal offered a Lone Ranger 'Atomic Bomb Ring' for a box top and 15 cents. This was no ordinary toy; it contained a small amount of the radioactive element polonium-210, allowing kids to watch scintillations—or 'splitting atoms'—in the dark. A true relic of the Atomic Age.

White Coats and Weiners: The Deceptive Genius Behind Nathan's Famous

In 1916, to combat rumors his 5-cent hot dogs were low-quality, Nathan Handwerker hired students to dress as doctors and eat at his Coney Island stand. This brilliant marketing stunt convinced the public the wieners were healthy, launching a global brand.

Before the Zeppelin Flew: How Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones Forged the 'Goldfinger' Theme

Long before Led Zeppelin's reign, a young Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones were top session musicians. Their anonymous but crucial guitar and bass work helped shape the iconic, powerful sound of Shirley Bassey's 1964 James Bond theme, 'Goldfinger,' a hidden chapter in rock history.

Before the Jumpsuit: The Earthmover Wheelie That Plunged a City into Darkness

Long before he was a world-famous daredevil, a young Evel Knievel was fired from his copper mining job after an audacious stunt went wrong. He attempted a wheelie in an earthmover, severed a major power line, and accidentally blacked out the entire city of Butte, Montana.