engineering

14 Powerful Facts About the Hoover Dam

The hulking Hoover Dam has been holding back the Colorado River and generating power for nearly 80 years, but you may be surprised to learn just how eventful its construction and naming were.

The Divers, Robots, and Toilets Saving NYC's Water Supply

How do you plug leaks in an 85-mile long tunnel buried 700 feet in the ground?

The Architects Behind 6 of America's Most Famous Buildings

While we generally know a great deal about their most famous buildings, most people don’t know much about these 6 men behind the blueprints.

Why Do Airplane Windows Have Tiny Holes?

An Ultrasonic Clothes Dryer Vibrates Clothes Dry

The super-efficient heatless dryer uses up to 10 times less energy than the standard tumble dryer—and may finish the job 20 minutes faster.

Bernhard Jank, MD, Ott Laboratory, Massachusetts General Hospital Center for Regenerative Medicine

7 Body Parts Scientists Can Grow in a Petri Dish

Bioengineered brains, limbs, and organs are being grown in the lab.

New York City's High Bridge to Reopen After More Than 40 Years

The 1,200-foot bridge is the oldest existing bridge in the city.

How Bird Poop Nearly Destroyed California's Power Grid

Poop can conduct electricity. This is never a good thing.

4 Hurricane Simulators That Whip Up Fake Storms

Researchers use powerful fans, rip down trees, and spray water to simulate dangerous storms.

5 Educated Predictions for the Future of Amusement Parks

Mind-Controlled Robotic Arm Helps Paralyzed Man Drink Beer, Make Smoothies

Erik Sorto can drink beer just by thinking about it.

Accurately Painting 3D-Printed Objects By Dipping Them in Water

Check this out.

New Technology Saves Four Men in Nepal

Watch This Full-Size LEGO Car

Raul Oaida made a car (with very uncomfortable seats) out of LEGO. Watch him drive it!

5 Machines that Simulate Natural Disasters

Stepping Out onto Chicago's 1300-Foot-High Glass Ledge

11 Questionable Suggestions for Raising the Titanic

In the 100-plus years since the RMS 'Titanic' slipped beneath the surface of the Atlantic, a wealth of ideas has been offered for how to bring it back up. Here are a few of the strangest.