DESIGN

The Math Behind the Classic Eye Chart Is Surprisingly Complex

Understanding the design can tell you a lot about how vision works.

Engineers Have Figured Out How the Leaning Tower of Pisa Withstands Earthquakes

Four major earthquakes have hit Pisa since the tower was completed.

Dppowell, Wikimedia Commons // CC BY-SA 4.0

The Reason There's Over a Hundred Abandoned Giant Arrows Across the U.S.

Being an airmail pilot was dangerous business before these came along.

Get Lost in This Collection of Pulp Covers of Classic Works of Literature

See George Orwell in a whole new light.

Eco-Friendly Brand 2-DG Turns Old Fishing Nets Into Clothing

Look good while supporting ocean conservation.

Narayan Khandekar, director of the Straus Center for Conservation and Technical Studies

To Dye For: Inside the Vast Library That Stores the World’s Rarest Pigments

The rainbow of jars at the Straus Center can tell us a lot about how art comes into being—and how to save it.

The Fascinating Way That Words Can Change How We Perceive Colors

Is it blue, green, or grue? The colors we see in the world aren't only a function of our eyesight. The language we speak can impact the colors we recognize.

The 'Hidden' Theater in London's Alexandra Palace Is Reopening After 80 Years

Once a 19th century technological marvel, the theater will finally be capable of holding performances again.

Your Gmail Will Soon 'Nudge' You If You Forget to Respond to an Important Email

The "I didn't see your email" trick might not work so well anymore.

Teemu08, Wikimedia Commons // CC BY-SA 3.0

After Four Months, a Frank Lloyd Wright House in Glencoe, Illinois Goes Back on the Market

The house sold just four months ago, and is on the market again with new improvements and a higher price tag.

How the Log Cabin Became an American Symbol

We have the Swedes—and William Henry Harrison—to thank.

Why This Blurry Optical Illusion Disappears If You Stare at It

The Troxler effect will mess with your head.

This Beatles Poster Breaks Down the Instruments Played in Every Fab Four Song

The long and winding road ...

Rare Disney Artifacts From Early Imagineer Rolly Crump Head to Auction

The most valuable of the 400-plus lots is the original model for a clock in "It’s a Small World," which could bring in $80,000.

Designer's New Typeface Combines Braille With Written Text

Kosuke Takahashi wants to change the way braille appears in public spaces.

Every Conversation That Happened During the First Moon Landing, Visualized

Yes, they talked about sandwiches.

10 Revealing Facts About Trading Spaces

The beloved home improvement show is back!

The Self-Deploying Flood Barrier That Could Keep Cities Dry Without Sandbags

The Water-Gate creates a flood barrier when the waters rise.

How Netflix Taps Into Font Psychology to Tell a Story and Find Its Audience

The streaming giant’s attention to detail goes far beyond the shows themselves.

8 Ways That Color Can Make Your Home a Happier Place

The right color can make all the difference.

What's the Difference Between a Church, a Cathedral, and a Basilica?

It's complicated.

The Reason You See the Same Leaves Atop So Many Columns

Once you know what to look for, you'll spot it everywhere.

9 Facts About Coffee Lids You Didn’t Know You Needed

A new book explores the subtly impressive design behind the sippable plastic lid.

8 Expert Tips and Tricks for Hanging a Picture Right the First Time

There's an art to hanging framed pieces without destroying your walls.

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