inventors
America's Greatest Horticulturist Left Behind a Plum Mystery
Frida Kahlo painted him. Thomas Edison admired him. Now Rachel Spaeth is trying to decode him.
All Stories
jello
The Jiggling, Gelatinous Creations of a Pop-Up Jell-O Exhibition
Behold a beloved children's character, a famous painting, and fusion foods.
soviet history
A Photographer’s Journey Through the Former Spas of Soviet Georgia
Remnants of communist leisure in the shadow of war.
universe
Get Lost in This Mind-Blowing Atlas of 1.7 Billion Stars
A new image offers an “all-sky view” of the Milky Way and nearby galaxies.
witchcraft
Why This Severed Hand Is So Glorious
According to legend, thieves could use it to render a whole household unconscious.
show & tell
62 of the World's Best Independent Bookstores
As recommended by Atlas Obscura readers.
goats
The Cartoon Goat From Poland Who Wandered the World in Search of Shoes
Koziołek Matołek resonated with generations of Polish children.
status food
How 'Ennobling' Helped Italian Aristocrats Solve the Problem of Garlic
The ingredient would have otherwise been too cheap to grace noble tables.
navigation
Why Can’t We Figure Out How the Vikings Crossed the Atlantic?
Crystals might have helped them navigate—or maybe not.
nuclear
The Underground Nuclear Test That Didn't Stay Underground
The fallout cloud from the Baneberry test was never supposed to exist.
auctions
A 212-Year-Old Ship Biscuit Is Selling for Only $3,580
This sailor's snack is well past its expiration date.
galapagos
Galapagos Tomatoes Are Surprisingly Pest-Resistant
New research reveals that they can protect themselves from a number of common bugs.
april fools day
Help Us Solve This Gefilte Fish Mystery
Do you remember a spoof news segment about this traditional Jewish food?
great depression foods
The Depression-Era Glassware That Came in Boxes of Oatmeal
These vibrant dishes helped cheer up Americans during a bleak time.
theft
The Brazen Heist of a Human Heart in a Solid Gold Casket
Stolen from a French museum, the artifact was recovered by police a week later.
bogs
Your Best Ideas for Dealing With Minnesota's Rogue Bog
Atlas Obscura readers offer creative solutions to a floating menace.
neuroscience
This Scientist Explains Complex Concepts With Sushi
Sashimi meets science.
crash site
The U.S. Once Dropped Two Nuclear Bombs on North Carolina by Accident
By sheer luck, neither detonated.
