DESIGN

Why Did So Many Movie Theaters Have Funky Carpets in the 1990s?

If you frequented movie theaters in the 1990s, you may remember the funky, galactic carpets that were once ubiquitous. It turns out their design served a practical (and disgusting) purpose.

Animal-inspired jewelry at the American Museum of Natural History.

7 Pieces of Animal-Inspired Jewelry From the American Museum of Natural History's Halls of Gems and Minerals

When the Allison and Roberto Mignone Halls of Gems and Minerals reopen at the American Museum of Natural History on June 12, they will feature a new exhibit of animal-inspired jewelry.

The balcony is an iconic part of Popeyes’s architecture.

The Reason Popeyes Restaurants Have a Balcony Over the Drive-Thru

The balconies over Popeyes drive-thrus aren't functional, but they do pay homage to the fast food restaurant's Louisiana roots.

The face of a person who's just set their default font to Garamond.

Don’t Love Calibri? Here’s How to Change the Default Font in Microsoft Word

Customize Word’s font settings to your liking, whether you’re a Times New Roman traditionalist or totally fluent in Wingdings.

Does Bone China Contain Any Actual Bone? The Answer Might Unnerve You

If your bone china dinnerware is what it claims to be, it probably contains more than a little powdered cow.

Why Many Houses in Texas Don't Have Basements

Transplants from other parts of the country may notice that basements are uncommon in many Texas homes. The reason for the real estate quirk has to do with the state's unique terrain.

Why the Fire Pole Is Beginning to Disappear

The iconic brass pole has been a fixture of fire departments for more than a century, but it might be more dangerous than it's worth.

Retail stores want to give you plenty of overhead space. There's a scientific reason why.

The Reason Retail Stores Have Such High Ceilings

There's a surprising reason stores like consumers to have plenty of space above their heads. According to science, it's giving them room to think.

Jeans sometimes have a fake pocket. There are reasons for that, but not they're not necessarily good ones.

The Reason Dresses and Jeans Have Fake Pockets

The illusion of a pocket has a lot to do with gender biases, fitting rooms, and the habits of the fashion industry.

Which historical women deserve a tiny, metallic likeness?

Which Trailblazing Women Should Be Featured on Quarters? The U.S. Mint Wants Your Suggestions

Sally Ride and Maya Angelou are the first two honorees, but you can help decide which other important women from history to feature on the collectible coins.

Cascatelli, the World’s Newest Pasta Shape, Is a Game-Changer

Dan Pashman of The Sporkful food podcast spent three years researching and designing a new pasta shape named cascatelli, and now you can buy it.

What's the Difference Between Men's and Women's Razors?

Men's razors aren't necessarily better than women's razors, but they are different (and not just because they aren't pink).

In March 2021, digital artist Beeple sold a JPG of Everydays: The First 5000 Days for a record-setting $69.3 million.

What Are NFTs Anyway?

There are three kinds of people in the world: those who know what an NFT is, those who don't, and those who don't care.

D.C. judges have strong feelings about typefaces.

D.C. Court Wants to Erase Garamond Font From Filings

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit has a vendetta against Garamond, which is purportedly too small to read and allows lawyers to skirt filing rules.

11 Secrets of LEGO Designers

We spoke with three LEGO designers about the ins and outs of the job, including the rigorous quality control process, their all-time favorite sets, and their unique workspace.

The Smart Reason There Are Black Lines on Basketballs

Those black lines do more than give a basketball its distinctive look—they actually make the sport easier to play.

"The Wheels on the Bus" doesn't cover this.

The Clever Reason Behind Those Black Lines on the Sides of School Buses

Yellow school buses look extra eye-catching with black detailing, but the stripes aren’t just for design.

The lotus bowl, worth much more than $35.

A Rare Chinese Porcelain Bowl Found at a Yard Sale Could Fetch $500,000 at Auction

The blue and white porcelain bowl is one of only seven known “lotus bowls” from the early 15th-century Ming dynasty.

Public bathrooms are uncomfortable for a reason.

The Reason Public Bathroom Stalls Have Gaps

The design of public restrooms guarantees you'll never be all that comfortable. Blame Frank Lloyd Wright.

The Real Reason Cars Have Those 'Grab Handles' Above the Doors

This particular car safety feature isn’t so your passengers can wordlessly convey that they think you’re a reckless driver.

Faster Than the Speed of Flight: Watch the Concept Video for Virgin’s Hyperloop Transit System

Virgin’s Hyperloop pods would be faster than bullet trains and way more comfortable than subway trains.

Monica Schipper / Stringer / Getty Images

Why Are There Tabs on the Sides of Aluminum Foil Boxes?

Boxes of aluminum foil and plastic wrap come with hidden tabs on the sides that make using them a lot easier.

Pantone Announces Illuminating and Ultimate Gray as Colors of the Year

Illuminating and Ultimate Gray, Pantone's color choices for next year, are meant to symbolize optimism and endurance.

Bremont's New Stephen Hawking Watch Contains Pieces of the Late Scientist's Desk

Keep Stephen Hawking's memory alive with a watch made from pieces of his beloved desk, with proceeds supporting The Stephen Hawking Foundation.

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