HISTORY

Leona Libby, the Pioneering Nuclear Physicist Who Helped Build the Atomic Bomb

To win a nuclear arms race, Leona Libby hid a pregnancy and brushed off being irradiated.

Why the Filet-O-Fish Sandwich Has Been on McDonald’s Menu for More Than 60 Years

The McDonald's Filet-O-Fish sandwich was introduced as an alternative for Catholics avoiding meat on Fridays during Lent—and it almost lost its spot on the menu to a pineapple burger.

‘Listen to me! I’m old and know things!’

Boomer Slang: 26 Terms You Should Know

The generational group born between 1946 and 1964 contributed a lot to slang.

14 Fascinating Facts About Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Despite what you might have heard (or seen on the big screen), famed composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart probably wasn’t poisoned by Antonio Salieri—but he did spend time with a young Marie Antoinette and keep a starling as a pet.

Curious about what your state's name means?

This Map Shows the Literal Translations of U.S. Place Names

From California to Boston, here are the literal translations of every American state and capital city name.

20 Iconic Things Turning 50 in 2024

The year 1974 gave us Post-It Notes, the Rubik's Cube, Bailey's Irish Cream, and more.

You’ll be searching for these spots forever.

10 Places That No Longer Exist

Not even a compass could help you get to lost places like Doggerland, Guaíra Falls, and Rungholt.

Barbara Newhall Follett in an undated photo.

Barbara Newhall Follett: The Child Novelist Who Later Vanished Into Thin Air

A gifted writer, Follett finished her first novel at age 12. By age 25, she was never seen or heard from again.

Many of these mysteries continue to endure.

15 of History’s Greatest Mysteries

From a book no one can decipher and puzzling disappearances to unsolved crimes and beyond, many of these historical mysteries still have us scratching our heads.

Hopefully this kid washed his hands before returning to his fries.

Rough Play: The Dirty and Dangerous History of McDonald's PlayPlaces

Following a string of PR nightmares, McDonald's began quietly removing its PlayPlaces in the 2000s.

Agatha Christie, Surfing Pioneer

A lesser-known fact about the famed crime novelist: She was a beach bum.

If You Knew: The Short, Brilliant Life—and Lasting Legacy—of Jeff Buckley

If the only thing Jeff Buckley ever did was record his 1994 cover of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah,” he would still have a permanent spot in music history.

Watch: Mysterious Footage from a 1950s Psychiatric Hospital

Uncovered on the grounds of the now-demolished Bahr Treatment Center in Indianapolis, this time capsule contained film reels that are still shrouded in a layer of mystery.

Rutherford B. Hayes, National Hero of Paraguay

How a largely forgotten U.S. president became a South American idol.

The Origin of ‘Talk to the Hand’

The dismissive gesture is a 1990s original thanks to two very different sitcom stars.

Don't believe everyone who claims to have royal blood.

8 People Who Impersonated Royals—And Almost Got Away With It

Whether driven by opportunity, coercion, or simply the desire to belong, here are the unbelievable true stories of eight people who claimed to be royal—and nearly got away with it.

Ever wonder why we decorate Easter eggs?

The Fascinating Origins of 15 Spring Symbols and Traditions

As you’re celebrating the sunny season with domestic cleanses, painted eggs, and frenzied grappling matches over beer barrels, you might begin to wonder where these rituals came from.

Dolls Factory: How Dolls Are Made (1968) | British Pathé

Watch a Charming (and Creepy) 1968 Newsreel About a Doll Factory

“The whole process has a chilling, macabre tinge! It’s almost horrific the way they pop in the doll’s eyes with workaday nonchalance.”

René Descartes contemplates his famous conclusion: Cogito ergo sum.

‘Cogito Ergo Sum’: The Genesis and Meaning of René Descartes’s Famous Declaration

Dive into the philosophical questions that prompted René Descartes to come up with his famous phrase, “I think therefore I am.”

Travelers can be superstitious. So can airlines.

Why Is Row 13 Missing on So Many Airplanes?

Superstition isn't the only reason you can't sit in 13A.

Edited from an illustration by André De Takacs for a 1914 rag called "Humpty Dumpty" by pianist Charley Straight.

Is Humpty Dumpty Even an Egg? An Investigation

The origins of the nursery rhyme can tell us exactly why Humpty Dumpty is depicted as an egg.

What 10 Major Retailers Initially Sold

Eddie Bauer didn’t always sell outdoor gear—and Kohl’s wasn’t always a department store. In some cases, these retailers have come a long way from their humble beginnings.

This background isn't a real cipher (as far as we know).

5 Beginner’s Codebreaking Tips From ‘Codebreaking: A Practical Guide’

‘Codebreaking: A Practical Guide’ can teach a beginner how to break into codebreaking (and an expert how to up their game).

There are a lot of people who don’t think Shakespeare was actually Shakespeare.

8 Shakespeare Conspiracy Theories

Discover the controversial conspiracy theories that challenge Shakespeare’s authorship, from the Baconian Theory to the Alien Theory and beyond.

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