Everyone knows there is a difference between the western and eastern halves of the United States. The weather, culture, cost of living, and political preferences are so stark that it is almost […]
Why Butter is Shaped Differently Around the USA
Why Would You Want a Book of a Million Random Numbers?
Are you looking for a good book for this weekend? Let us tell you about one that will really hold your attention. It’s a little hard to describe the overall plot, but […]
A High-Flying Prediction, Off By a Million Years
Humans have tried to emulate birds’ ability to fly since before recorded history. Despite centuries of effort, heavier-than-air flight remained out of reach. No one knows how many people lost their lives […]
The Great Panjamdrum — the Hilarious and Horrible Failed Weapon of WWII
Necessity is the mother of invention. Few things create greater necessity than war. Consequently, some of the greatest innovations in technology have arisen out of military conflict. World War II generated great […]
Making Nuclear Reactors Safe From Butt-Pinching
Harnessing the power of the atom provides humanity with virtually unlimited power. It also poses devastating consequences if things go poorly. The nuclear disasters at Chernobyl, Fukushima, and Three Mile Island happened […]
How Do You Pronounce GIF?
There’s nothing we like better than to be able to write about a totally non-controversial subject. It is difficult to express our joy when the matter is so clear and accepted that […]
How Do Barcodes Work?
If you were born before 1970 or so, you undoubtedly remember that the responsibilities of the clerk at a grocery store were different than they are today. Back in the murky past, […]
What Could Go Wrong With Putting Wings on a Ford Pinto?
As much as we enjoy the comforts provided by the 21st century, our biggest disappointment is the lack of flying cars. Every traffic jam brings daydreams of being able to push the […]
For 50 Years the U.S. Nuclear Computer Used 8-Inch Floppy Disks
In the 1983 movie WarGames, NORAD’s computer system is so sophisticated that it becomes sentient and assumes control of the nation’s nuclear arsenal. The film leaves its viewers pondering the wisdom of […]
The Accidental Ascendency of @
Some call it “at.” Others know it as “each.” The Italians refer to it as a “snail.” To the Dutch, it is the “monkey tail.” This curious symbol, known by so many […]
The First Email Was a Typo and Took an Hour to Send
Have you ever waited impatiently for an important email, wishing your internet connection wasn’t so slow? When that email arrived, did it generate more questions than answers? If that has been your […]
Is Your Printer Spying on You?
Your printer is spying on you, you say? Uh huh. Right. Sounds like you may be suffering from a deficiency of niacin, buddy. That was our reaction when we started to get […]
TV’s Historic and Forgotten ‘The Television Ghost’
It is August 17, 1931, and you are one of the very few who are sufficiently fortunate and wealthy to own the latest technological gizmo. It is a radio that allows you […]
Photographers Used to Tell Subjects to Say ‘Prunes’ Instead of ‘Cheese’
Compare photographs from the late 19th century with those of today. Aside from the obvious differences, such as color and changes in fashion, there is one big difference that stands out: no […]
Relativity and Fine Fashion Sense
Unquestionably, Albert Einstein had one of the greatest minds of all time. Even the most casual student of science associates the great man with relativity, unlocking the secrets of the atom, and […]
Commonplace Fun Facts 