Topic

Technology & Innovation

A collection of 100 issues

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.

The Cold Hard Truth: Why Winter Winds Pack More Punch for Power Grids

It's a common misconception that wind speed is the only factor in power generation. In reality, cold, dense air carries more mass, transferring significantly more kinetic energy to turbine blades than warm air at the exact same speed. This makes winter winds a potent source of electricity.

The iPhone's Secret Origin: How Apple's iPad Was Born First

Contrary to popular belief, Apple's iPad was conceived long before the iPhone. After seeing a multi-touch tablet prototype, Steve Jobs realized the technology was perfect for a phone, shelving the tablet project for three years to revolutionize the mobile industry first.

Copy, Paste, Ride: The Surprising and Common Reality of Horse Cloning

Horse cloning, once science fiction, is now a common practice in elite equestrian sports. Used to replicate champion geldings and preserve valuable bloodlines, the industry leverages technology to create genetic twins of top performers, especially in the world of polo.

Operation Morning Light: The Day a Soviet Nuclear Reactor Fell on Canada

In 1978, the Soviet nuclear-powered satellite Kosmos 954 crashed, scattering radioactive debris across northern Canada. The massive US-Canadian cleanup, Operation Morning Light, sparked a diplomatic dispute over the multi-million dollar bill, which the USSR only partially paid.

Bytes and Banter: How the First Apple Mac in Europe Forged a Lifelong Friendship Between Douglas Adams and Stephen Fry

A shared passion for technology led author Douglas Adams and comedian Stephen Fry to purchase the first three Apple Macintosh computers in Europe. This singular event wasn't just an early adoption; it was the silicon spark that ignited one of modern culture's most beloved friendships.

The Unsung Canine Chef: Remembering the Turnspit, the Dog That Cooked Dinner and Was Erased by Technology

Meet the Turnspit, an extinct dog breed bred for one purpose: to run in a wheel, powering a rotating spit to cook meat. Once a common kitchen appliance, this hardworking canine was sadly rendered obsolete by machinery, a poignant tale of a living engine forgotten by time.

The Cosmic Puddle: Unlocking the Secrets of Tsunamis with NOAA's Hypnotic Simulations

NOAA's YouTube playlist reveals the terrifying science of tsunamis through detailed simulations. These animations show how seismic events send waves across oceans, demonstrating their incredible speed and global reach, turning abstract data into a stark visual reality of nature's power.

Wait, YouTube Subtitles Can Shake? Uncovering a Hidden World of Custom Captions

Did you know YouTube subtitles can do more than display text? An old, rarely-used caption format allows for hidden effects like shaking text and custom on-screen movement, a surprising piece of platform history demonstrated in a viral video by Tom Scott.