Fritz Haber helped feed billions with synthetic fertilizer—and pioneered chemical warfare in WWI. Explore the shocking, complicated legacy of the Nobel Prize-winning chemist.
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Famous quotes are like pizza toppings; everyone has their favorites, but they can get messy! Dive into the wild world of misquotes, false quotes, and misunderstandings where “money is the root of all evil” has a twist and “nice guys” don’t just finish last—they might even finish seventh! Who knew?
Most of us, if we have a problem with a utility company, are forced to suffer in silence. When the aggrieved individual is Mark Twain, however, anything is fair game.
Learn about Thomas Selfridge, the aviation legend who also became the first person to die in a plane crash.
Explore the secrets of the world’s largest gold depository under Manhattan’s streets, housing over 212 million ounces of gold. Learn about its history, security, and global significance.
In her four years as First Lady of the United States, Barbara Bush had plenty of opportunities to contemplate the White House and its priceless artifacts. While some might gravitate toward the portraits of some of history’s most famous faces, Mrs. Bush found comfort in staring into the face of a person who many consider…
A 19-year long court case in India mirrors Dickens’ Bleak House, showcasing extreme legal delays, corruption, and the unnecessary complexity of the langauge of the justice system.
Discover how Al Capone’s influence extended beyond organized crime, revolutionizing milk safety with expiration dates and reshaping the dairy industry.
Bob Dole was accustomed to being the big name in his family. As long-time U.S. Senator from Kansas, Senate Republican Leader, 1976 Vice Presidential nominee, and 1996 Presidential nominee, he was recognized wherever he went. His wife, Elizabeth, was no shrinking violet, however. An accomplished politician in her own right, she served in the administrations…
Benjamin Franklin, as U.S. Ambassador to France, faced situations where he had to write recommendation letters for people he had little knowledge of. In one instance, he cleverly wrote a letter stating that he knew nothing about the person and referred the recipient to the individual for their own character and merits.
Fred Allen: Inspiration for the Bricklayer’s Song Back in the day when comedians earned laughs by stimulating the minds of the audience, rather than appealing to prurient interests, there was one whose light shone brighter than any other: Fred Allen. The Fred Allen Show ruled the radio from 1932 to 1949. His dry wit and…
As George Washington took the reins of government as the first President of the United States, some thought it would be wise to create a permanent protective detail for the chief executive. The idea was dismissed, however. Since the President was chosen by the will of the people, it was unthinkable that anyone would attempt…
Even history’s greatest people can be subject to less-than-stellar love lives. It was 1842 when Abraham Lincoln tied the knot with Mary Todd, a woman whose ambition unquestionably helped propel him into the White House. Six years earlier, however, he was a forlorn bachelor, with no clear prospects for his condition to improve. The future…
We receive countless suggestions from faithful readers, asking us to do articles about any number of topics. A few of these get filed away for further research and consideration. Some get scrapped out of hand. Others trigger referrals to helpful mental health professionals. It is a rare gem of a suggestion that sends us off…
Do you suffer from allodoxaphobia? If so, you’d better stay away from social media. For that matter, it would be best to avoid conversations with anyone about anything. Allodoxaphobia is a fear of opinions.
“Most of us spend the first 6 days of each week sowing wild oats, then we go to church on Sunday and pray for a crop failure.” — Fred Allen
