Topic

Technology & Innovation

A collection of 133 issues

From Thermostats to Theft: The Chilling Story of the 2013 Target Hack

In 2013, hackers orchestrated one of history's largest retail data breaches by targeting an unexpected weak link: Target's HVAC vendor. By stealing the vendor's network credentials, they gained a foothold into Target's system, ultimately compromising 40 million credit and debit cards.

Technology & Innovation Business & Economics History

The Pitch That Launched a Million Machines: How 'Artificial Intelligence' Got Its Name

In 1955, 'artificial intelligence' wasn't a buzzword but a clever phrase in a funding proposal. Computer scientist John McCarthy coined the term to secure a grant for a summer workshop, inadvertently naming and launching the entire field of AI research we know today.

Technology & Innovation History Science & Nature

Why is the Coronado Bridge Curved? The Genius Engineering Behind a San Diego Icon

The Coronado Bridge's iconic curve is a clever engineering feat. It extends the bridge's length to 2.12 miles, allowing it to reach the 200-foot height required for Navy warships to pass underneath while maintaining a safe, gradual incline over the short span of San Diego Bay.

Technology & Innovation Geography & Places Art, Culture & Design

MLB's Replay Nerve Center: Why Every Challenged Call Goes Through New York City

Ever wonder who makes the call during an MLB replay review? It's not an umpire in a booth at the ballpark. Every single challenged play is sent to a high-tech Replay Operations Center in New York City, where a dedicated umpire makes the final, binding decision.

Sports & Games Technology & Innovation

The $5 Million Secret: How Britain Bought Russia's Top Tank After the Cold War

In 1992, with the Cold War over, the UK secretly bought advanced Russian T-80 tanks for $5m each. Using a shell company, they tested the formidable gas-turbine tanks on their own soil before sending one to the US for evaluation, a fascinating tale of military intelligence and opportunism.

History Technology & Innovation Wars, Conflict & Heroes

Drone Submarine Reveals Monumental, Hidden World Under Antarctica's Ice

In early 2023, the unmanned submarine 'Ran' mapped the seafloor beneath West Antarctica's Dotson Ice Shelf for the first time. The survey revealed colossal, 1,300-foot-long ridges and intricate ice formations, offering crucial new data on ice melt and future sea-level rise.

Science & Nature Technology & Innovation Adventure & Exploration

Sealed in Steel: The Harrowing Story of the Kaiten, Japan's WWII Suicide Torpedoes

Beyond Kamikaze planes, Japan's WWII arsenal included Kaiten: manned suicide torpedoes. Pilots were sealed inside the weapon, unable to escape, and were ordered to self-destruct if their attack failed, ensuring a one-way mission to turn the tide of the war.

Wars, Conflict & Heroes History Technology & Innovation

The Accidental Ecosystem: How Novel Microbes Were Found Hiding in a Research Ship's Goo

In a surprising discovery, scientists found entirely new groups of bacteria and archaea, dubbed 'ShipGoo001,' hiding in a clay-like goo inside the rudder housing of the research vessel JOIDES Resolution. The find highlights life's ability to thrive in unexpected, human-made environments.

Science & Nature Technology & Innovation

The Phantom Death Ray: How a British Inventor Fooled the Military and Vanished with the Secret

In 1923, British inventor Harry Grindell Matthews claimed to have a "death ray" capable of stopping engines from afar. After dazzling demonstrations for the military, he'd refuse further inspection and vanish with his equipment, leaving behind a trail of mystery and deep skepticism.

History Technology & Innovation Biography & Personal Stories

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