HISTORY

10 Women Automotive Pioneers

Since the earliest days of motoring, there have been women determined to compete with men at the highest levels.

A Brief History of Pad Thai

Part fusion dish, part government propaganda, pad thai has a complicated background.

Take a Ride Through the Scandalous History of the Tunnel of Love

You don't see too many Tunnel of Love rides at amusement parks today, but they once served an important—and risqué—social function.

Katherine Parr lived a fascinating life, both before and after marrying Henry VIII.

10 Facts About Katherine Parr, Henry VIII's Wife Who ’Survived’

Katherine Parr is remembered as Henry VIII’s lucky queen, the one who got away, or, as the old rhyme says, the one who “survived.”

Being a night soil man was a thankless job.

How the Victorian Era's 'Night Soil Men' Kept London From Going to Waste

The fetchers of feces known as night soil men tackled a dangerous, thankless job—all in an attempt to keep Victorians unburdened by their ever-growing piles of poop.

Movie-goers prepare to be entertained in 1935.

Why Do We Refer to Movies as “The Silver Screen”?

The origin of the phrase ‘silver screen’ is less about movies and more about how people watched them in the good old days.

Why Do We Say People Pass ‘With Flying Colors’?

Like so many other phrases, the meaning of ‘pass with flying colors’ has nautical roots.

The origin of the smoke detector might surprise you.

The Unusual Origin Stories of 9 Everyday Household Items

What was Kleenex originally used for? The product’s fascinating history has ties to Kotex and World War I.

Martha Brossier made her exorcisms a public spectacle.

A Devilish Hoax: The Fake Demonic Possession of Martha Brossier

In 1590s France, a young woman went on a touring exhibition to demonstrate she was under the spell of a demon. A clever group of theologians proved otherwise.

A surprising amount of lost books have found their way into flames—sometimes courtesy of the authors themselves.

11 Books That Are (Probably) Lost Forever

Every so often the literary world is rocked by the discovery of a work that was thought to be lost forever—but there are many books that remain lost to this day, much to the sadness of readers everywhere.

Stars on homes have been an enduring mystery for some.

What's the Meaning Behind the Metal Stars You Often See on Old Houses?

The five-pointed star is common in the northeast and has been rumored to represent everything from the Amish to swingers.

Mary I (pictured) did not trust her younger half-sister.

5 Ways Mary I Tried to Thwart Elizabeth I

Despite being half-sisters, the relationship between Mary and Elizabeth Tudor was difficult.

Lake City, Florida, almost went by another name entirely.

8 U.S. City Names That Might Have Been

Let's be glad the name "Pig's Eye, Minnesota" didn't stick.

There Are Only 25 Blimps Left on Earth—Here’s Why

There are 25 blimps left in existence as of 2022, and only half of them are in use.

The Origin—and Evolution—of the Phrase 'Trip the Light Fantastic'

While it has always referred to nimble, fleet-footed dancing, the imagery associated with the phrase "tripping the light fantastic" is a matter of profound disagreement.

A statue of Pocahontas stands near the Jamestown settlement site.

11 Amazing Facts About Jamestown, the First Permanent English Colony in North America

Over several decades beginning in 1607, Jamestown nearly collapsed multiple times as colonists succumbed to disease and famine.

How to Play a Classic Card Game With Your Tarot Deck

No fortune-telling skills are required to play this classic French tarot card game.

21 Fascinating Facts About Vaccines

From facts about the COVID-19 vaccine to tidbits from vaccine history, here’s everything you ever wanted to know about immunization.

Jackie Robinson is getting his long-overdue museum.

New York City Is Getting a Jackie Robinson Museum

The iconic baseball player and civil rights leader will see his life story told in a New York City museum.

President John F. Kennedy signs a kick ball for Thomas A. Doyle III, the 1962 Easter Seal Child. Pauline Phillips (a.k.a. Dear Abby) is at right.

Who Was the Original ’Poster Child‘?

While the exact phrase didn’t enter the language until the 1930s, using children as a means to raise funds for hospitals goes way back.

Fax or Fiction: When Urban Legends Spread By Fax Machine

“Faxlore" marked the transition from oral urban legends to spam emails and copypasta.

6 Things You Might Not Know About Ice Cream Sandwiches

It has been more than 120 years since the ice cream sandwich was first invented. In that time, the treat has evolved—and dozens of other countries have adopted the frozen treat to their own tastes.

Nichelle Nichols in Woman in Motion: Nichelle Nichols, Star Trek and the Remaking of NASA (2021).

Woman In Motion: How 'Star Trek' and Nichelle Nichols Forever Changed the Face of NASA

Though Nichelle Nichols was best known for her role as Lieutenant Uhura on 'Star Trek,' she also played a key role in the formation of NASA’s Space Shuttle Program and inspired generations of STEM leaders.

Monica Dickens was more prolific than her more famous ancestor—but few know her today.

Let's Talk Strine: How Charles Dickens's Great-Granddaughter (Inadvertently) Named the Australian Accent

Monica “Monty” Dickens was well-known in her lifetime and, like her great-grandfather, had a profound effect on the English language—if not quite in the way she intended.

Prev Next