Topic

Technology & Innovation

A collection of 99 issues

Perfect Endings: The Surprising World of Correspondence Chess Where Computers Are Legal Teammates

In the slow-paced world of correspondence chess, players are often allowed to use endgame tablebases. These databases provide perfect moves in the final stages, shifting the game's focus from pure calculation to deep strategic planning and man-machine collaboration.

The Glitch That Trapped Mazda Drivers in an NPR Twilight Zone

A bizarre software bug in 2014-2017 Mazda infotainment systems caused them to permanently freeze when a local radio station, KUOW, broadcast a logo image without a file extension. The glitch bricked the units, trapping drivers on one station and requiring a $1500 hardware replacement.

The Lab That Almost Built the Internet: BT Research, Prestel, and a Legacy of 10,000 Patents

BT Research, a pioneer in industrial R&D, held over 10,000 patents by 2000. Its innovations include single-mode optical fiber and Prestel, a revolutionary 1979 viewdata service that was a direct forerunner to the modern internet, offering online services via TV and phone lines.

The 61-Second Minute: How 27 Leap Seconds Secretly Broke the Internet

Since 1972, 27 leap seconds have been added to our clocks to sync atomic time with the Earth's slowing rotation. While keeping us aligned with the sun, this tiny adjustment has caused major chaos for computer systems, prompting a global decision to abolish them by 2035.

The Secret Mexican History of Area Codes 706 and 905

Did you know the area codes for North Georgia (706) and suburban Toronto (905) weren't always for those places? Until 1991, they were special codes used by Americans and Canadians to dial directly to cities in Mexico. This is the story of how an international dialing change gave them new homes.

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.

Time's Glitch: The Bizarre Reason Your SNES Is Faster Today Than in the 90s

Your old SNES is running faster than it did at release! A tiny, aging component in its sound chip is slightly overclocking the console, a change so subtle only speedrunning robots can detect it, leading to a fascinating detective story in the retro gaming community.

Swiss Cheese Gets Its Holes Back: A 2025 Court Ruling Reverses a Decade of Purity

Increased hygiene caused Swiss cheese holes to disappear. A 2015 study revealed microscopic hay particles were the secret ingredient. Now, in a landmark 2025 ruling, the Swiss court has approved adding hay powder to milk, scientifically restoring the iconic eyes to traditional cheese.

Beyond the Soda Can: The Immortal Metal We Mistake for Trash

Often seen as disposable, aluminum is a champion of sustainability. An incredible 75% of all aluminum ever produced is still in use today, thanks to its infinite recyclability which saves 95% of the energy needed for primary production. It is a cornerstone material for a circular economy.