HISTORY

'Kryptos' at CIA headquarters in Virginia.

8 of History’s Most Mysterious Uncracked Codes

The world of cryptology is full of stumpers. Here are the stories behind eight especially infamous ones.

Brian Mueller (super soaker), New Africa (light bulb and seat belt), Feng Yu (duct ape), los_jan (toilet), non123 (Walkman), 3DMI (Hubble), Areeya_Ann (birth control pills) // Shutterstock; Julia Lemba (backgrounds) // iStock via Getty Images Plus

The Stories Behind 20 Inventions That Changed the World

From blood banks and barcodes to the Super Soaker and the pizza box, here are the fascinating stories behind inventions that changed the world.

Simon Le Bon of Duran Duran rocks a mull—er, bi-level haircut.

7 Misconceptions About the ‘80s

Whether you lived through the ‘80s or merely have absorbed some details via 'Stranger Things,' take a look at some of the myths surrounding the "me decade."

Many people have tried to describe durian's taste and smell over the centuries.

21 Attempts to Describe the Taste of Durian, the World’s Smelliest Fruit

Biting into a durian can be an utterly confusing and contradictory experience. Here are some outsider opinions from the past 400 years.

It took Tolstoy a solid year to write the introduction to 'War and Peace.'

22 Novel Facts About ‘War and Peace’

Leo Tolstoy's epic novel is the literary equivalent of a marathon and features a battle scene that goes on for more than 20 chapters.

10 Inspiring Facts About Marian Anderson

Marian Anderson, a gifted contralto, was one of the most famous singers of all time, interpreting everything from Black spirituals to Italian opera.

Laudanum was used by a number of writers and artists in the Victorian Era.

The Lure of Laudanum, the Victorians’ Favorite Drug

In an era before modern medicine, laudanum and other opium derivatives became seen as wonder drugs.

How did these delicious drinks make their way into your cup?

A Brief (But Complicated) History of Coffee and Tea

Collectively, coffee and tea have been credited as catalysts for everything from the Enlightenment to the Opium Wars.

A young woman gets tested for syphilis in a "trailer-laboratory" in Washington, D.C. in 1937.

Why Did States Require Blood Tests for Marriage Licenses?

Requiring blood tests to get a marriage license had nothing to do with an Oedipal fear of accidentally marrying a close relative.

14 Fascinating Facts About Phillis Wheatley

Phillis Wheatley was the American colonies’ first Black poet and second woman to publish a book of poems. Here are more facts about her.

DNA Analysis of Beethoven’s Hair Reveals New Clues About His Death

The composer suffered from hearing loss and a number of mysterious ailments before his death at age 56. His hair is providing some answers.

“[They] forced the conqueror of conquerors ... to retreat and leave them in possession of the field.”

The Time Napoleon Was Attacked by Rabbits

History tells us that Napoleon’s most upsetting defeat came at Waterloo. But it may have actually occurred eight years earlier, after the French emperor was attacked by a relentless horde of rabbits.

Treasure Island: The Enduring Enigma of Tucker’s Cross

Finding a highly valuable treasure is one thing. Keeping it is another.

10 Intriguing Facts About Katherine Mansfield

Today, Katherine Mansfield is considered one of the most influential modernist writers of the 20th century—but she considered a career as a professional cellist.

Gallaher's Cigarettes recommended a hack that involved setting butter on fire.

25 Weird Old-Timey Life Hacks

From raw beef for wrinkle prevention to cleaning paintings with potatoes, here are some of the most memorable life hacks from days of yore.

'Little Hercules': When 1940s Audiences Were Awed by Wallace Gough, World's Strongest Baby

in the 1940s, mighty tot Wallace could do chin-ups and climb ladders, all thanks to a "secret formula" added to his milk.

F. Scott Fitzgerald, Jane Austen, James Joyce, and Charlotte Bronte all used 'literally' in a figurative sense.

The Long History of the Figurative 'Literally'—and 8 Great Writers Who Used It

From Austen to Dickens and beyond, famous authors have had no problem with using the word 'literally' in a figurative sense.

Crab rangoon is a Chinese takeout staple, but it didn't originate in China.

The Puzzling Origins of Crab Rangoon

Crab rangoon isn't Chinese—and it may not contain real crab.

10 Amazing Facts About Cherry Blossoms

Cherry blossom season is a major tourist draw for any city that’s lucky enough to grow ornamental cherry trees.

We don't know this baby, but we bet they had an old-timey name.

Hello, Melvin: The 100 Most Popular Baby Names of 1923

Both Thelma and Louise made the list.

Ireland: Come for the Guinness, stay for the lack of snakes.

Why Are There No Snakes in Ireland?

Legend tells of St. Patrick using the power of his faith to drive all of Ireland’s snakes into the sea. It’s an impressive image, but there’s no way it could have happened.

11 Radiant Facts About Marie Curie

Marie Curie, who was born in Warsaw, Poland, on November 7, 1867, is still the only person to receive Nobel Prizes in two different sciences.

Booker T. Washington at his writing desk, 1894

12 Illuminating Facts About Booker T. Washington

Booker T. Washington was one of the most influential Black leaders of the 19th and early 20th centuries. Here are a few facts about this innovative educator.

19 Brilliant Facts About Albert Einstein

Once a simple patent clerk, Albert Einstein changed the world with his theories of special and general relativity.

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