manhattan project
The Mysterious Case of the Radioactive Toothpaste
Manhattan Project experts got sidetracked in their pursuit of Nazi nuclear technology.
All Stories
obscura day 2017
In Kansas City, One Stubborn Cave Won't Give Up Its Secrets
Is Roanoke Park Cave mysterious—or just boring?
fbi
When the FBI Tried and Failed to Find Ethel Merman’s Stolen Jewels
She had a friendship with J. Edgar Hoover that spanned decades.
auctions
There Are People Who Pay Thousands for the Empty Pill Bottles of Dead Celebrities
Stars in question have included Elvis, Truman Capote, Michael Jackson, and Marilyn Monroe.
fire
Man Sets Fire to Scare Marsupial, Man Burns Down House
"Officials say the man had problems with bees also."
lightning
Watch Lightning From Above, Thanks to a New Satellite
The data it is producing can help provide earlier warnings for severe weather.
visual
Portable Architecture You Can Roll, Wear, Tow, or Float
A sauna on skis and 11 other dwellings made to move.
fleeting wonders
Wolves Have Returned to Denmark After Two Centuries of Absence
A breeding pair has been spotted in west Jutland.
weapons
Found: An 18th-Century Asian Sword Fished From a Welsh River
It's in surprisingly good condition.
obscura day 2017
A Wayback Machine for Early 20th Century Tunes
The Internet Archive has a surprisingly deep collection of records made of insect secretions.
crime and punishment
The Attempted Statistics Exam Heist That Went Through an Air Duct
Two Kentucky college students (allegedly) got creative.
alcohol
The Massive Gin Recall That Hit Canada
Some 6,000 bottles of Bombay Sapphire are packing an unexpected punch.
obscura day 2017
The Wild Legacy of America's Most Eccentric Roadside Attraction
Wild Bill came from a family of die-hard Republicans and clowns, and he created a destination where the only rule is "faster, wilder."
flowers
A Gnat in Amber With an Important Stowaway: Ancient Orchid Pollen
Orchids are much older than we thought.
recycling
In Tampa, a Wonderful World of Junk
Hong Kong Willie is so much more than a roadside attraction.
exploration
Found: A Rare, 17th-Century Map of Australia
Created around 1659 by a Dutch cartographer, it's the first map to show Tasmania.
canals
The Biggest Ship Yet Just Traversed the Panama Canal
It's as long as the Eiffel Tower.
photography
Gorgeous, Gruesome Reminders to Bird-Proof Your Windows
When doves and pigeons collide with glass, they leave haunting images behind.
