BIG QUESTIONS

Why Are There Crushed Stones Alongside Railroad Tracks?

They're far from decorative.

Why Are Movie Previews Called 'Trailers'?

In a world where previews come before movies, why are they called "trailers"?

Olen Collection, Diamond Images // Getty Images

What Happened to Wally Pipp After He Was Benched?

Wally Pipp’s name is a darling cautionary tale. It’s a great story. Too bad it isn’t all true.

Can Washing Machines Really Eat Socks?

Your orphaned socks are victims of technology and your own deeply rooted psychological issues.

Can Stress Really Turn Your Hair Gray?

It can, but because of a different kind of "stress."

How Much Weight Can a Shopping Cart Really Hold?

Go ahead and splurge on those industrial-sized boxes of cereal.

Why Do Fleas, Ticks, and Mosquitoes Show Individual Preferences?

Whether it’s that guy at the barbecue who never gets bitten, or the dog who never gets ticks, what is the chemistry behind being personally unattractive to biting insects?

Why Do Clowns Wear Red Noses?

No, it's not to make them more terrifying.

What’s the Difference Between a Fire Engine and a Fire Truck?

One carries the water tank, the other transports the firefighters.

Agência Brasil Fotografias via Wikimedia Commons // CC BY 2.0

How Much Do the Olympic Gymnastics Uniforms Cost?

"We may have hit peak crystal."

Why Did the Olympic Diving Pool Turn Green?

The perfect combination of factors made the diving pool a hotbed for algae.

Why Are There Lifeguards at Rio's Olympic Pools?

Aside from being Rio law, there's another good reason the Olympics have gone full 'Baywatch.'

What Happens If a Presidential Nominee Drops Out?

There's a plan in case someone drops out after a major party nomination.

Why Do Olympians Wear That Colorful Tape?

Birthmarks? Accessories? A bizarre form of intimidation?

Why Do We Sleep?

Why Does Reading in the Car Make You Feel Queasy?

Short answer: Riding in a car can may make your brain think you’ve been poisoned, and reading makes it worse.

Do Animals Get Sunburns?

After a long, snowy winter, it’s hard to resist the allure of warm summer days. Of course, they can come at a cost—including a sunburn. While it’s a well-known advisory for humans to slather on that SPF before taking in the rays, what about animals?