Topic

History

A collection of 432 issues

Hollywood's Most Cursed Film Set: The Unbelievable Chaos of 'The Island of Dr. Moreau'

The 1996 production of 'The Island of Dr. Moreau' was a legendary disaster. Plagued by hurricanes, on-set egos, and personal tragedy, its curse culminated in the original director being fired, only to sneak back onto set in a creature mask to watch the chaos unfold.

Entertainment & Media History

The Two-Faced Words of English: Unpacking the Linguistic Paradox of Contronyms

Contronyms are words with contradictory meanings. A single word like "cleave" can mean to split apart or to cling together, while "bolt" means both to secure and to flee. These linguistic quirks reveal the fascinating evolution of language, shaped by etymology and the power of context.

History Literature & Books

Three-Twenty-and-Ten: Unlocking the Surprising Logic of Georgian Numbers

Ever tried counting in 20s? The Georgian language does just that with its vigesimal number system. Instead of 'seventy-five', Georgians say 'three-twenty-and-fifteen' (samotsdatkhutmeti). It's a fascinating linguistic quirk that challenges our base-10 assumptions about numbers.

Art, Culture & Design History Geography & Places

The Siri You Never Knew: The Ambitious AI Apple Acquired, Not Invented

Apple didn't invent Siri. It was acquired in 2010 from a company spun out of a DARPA AI project. The original app had a broader, more integrated vision than the initial iPhone version, a fact that still surprises many and fuels debate about its lost potential.

Technology & Innovation Business & Economics History

An Unbreakable Honor: Sadao Munemori and the Fight for a Double Victory

In 1946, Sadao Munemori was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor, the first for a Japanese American. His ultimate sacrifice in Italy came while his family was confined in an internment camp, a stark testament to his unwavering loyalty and heroism in the face of profound injustice.

Wars, Conflict & Heroes History Biography & Personal Stories

The Curious Case of Princess Caraboo: The Servant Girl Who Fooled a Kingdom

In 1817, Mary Baker, a cobbler's daughter, convinced a British town she was Princess Caraboo from a fictional island. For months, she lived as royalty, speaking a made-up language and enchanting the gentry before a former employer exposed her elaborate and ingenious hoax.

History Biography & Personal Stories

The Oscar Gambit: How 'The Deer Hunter' Invented the Modern Awards Season

Facing dismal commercial prospects for its grim Vietnam epic, Universal Pictures pioneered a new release strategy for The Deer Hunter in 1978. A limited one-week run qualified it for the Oscars, and the subsequent nominations transformed it into a must-see event for its wide release.

Entertainment & Media Business & Economics History

Invisible Cloud: The Secret Cold War Experiment That Sprayed a Chemical Across America

During the Cold War, the U.S. Army's Operation LAC secretly released microscopic zinc cadmium sulfide particles across North America. The goal was to simulate the spread of a biological weapon, testing dispersal patterns on an unknowing public and raising lasting ethical concerns.

History Wars, Conflict & Heroes Medicine, Psychology & Health

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