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Technology & Innovation

A collection of 133 issues

The Ugly Duckling Jet That Taught NASA to Fly Vertically: The Story of the Bell X-14

The Bell X-14 was a one-of-a-kind experimental VTOL jet built from spare parts. Flown by NASA for over two decades, its pioneering research into thrust vectoring provided crucial data that directly influenced the development of modern aircraft like the Harrier and the F-35B.

Technology & Innovation History Adventure & Exploration

The Leviathan of the Thames: Brunel's Great Eastern Was a Ship 40 Years Ahead of Its Time

Isambard Kingdom Brunel's SS Great Eastern (1858) was a maritime titan. The largest ship for four decades, it could carry 4,000 passengers to Australia without refueling. Its immense size necessitated a revolutionary and difficult sideways launch, marking it as a marvel of its era.

History Technology & Innovation Business & Economics

Before the Beep: The Explosive, Gas-Lit Story of the World's First Traffic Light

The world's first traffic light, installed in London in 1868, was a marvel of Victorian engineering. Gas-lit and manually operated, it used semaphore arms and colored lamps. Its promising career was cut short when it exploded just weeks later, halting progress for nearly 60 years.

History Technology & Innovation

Riding Invisible Waves to the Edge of Space: The Unpowered Glider That Flew Higher Than a Spy Plane

The Perlan II, an unpowered glider, holds the astonishing world record for the highest subsonic flight. It soared over 76,000 feet by 'surfing' rare atmospheric waves, pushing the boundaries of aviation and conducting vital research at the edge of space without burning a single drop of fuel.

Technology & Innovation Science & Nature Adventure & Exploration

From Metropolis to Lucy's Living Room: The Unseen Genius of Karl Freund

Karl Freund, the visionary cinematographer behind German Expressionist masterpieces like Metropolis and Hollywood horrors like Dracula, was also the technical innovator who developed the multi-camera system for I Love Lucy, forever changing how television sitcoms were made and looked.

Entertainment & Media Biography & Personal Stories Technology & Innovation

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

Beyond the Piston: Rediscovering the Ingenious World of External Combustion Engines

We all know internal combustion engines, but their counterpart, External Combustion Engines (ECEs), are a fascinating and distinct category. From classic steam trains to modern solar power, ECEs generate power by heating a fluid from an outside source, offering unique fuel flexibility.

Technology & Innovation Science & Nature History

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

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