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jewish

Why Linguists Are Fascinated by the American Jewish Accent

The linguistic field of prosody, the story of melody, pitch, and other hard-to-study verbal traits, is suddenly hot.
Dan Nosowitz September 26, 2016
A police vs. firemen pushball game at the 1939 New York World's Fair.
sports

The Best Sport Of The Early 1900s Involved Pushing Around An Elephant-Sized Ball

Invented by a football-hating electrical engineer, eventually, horses got involved.
Cara Giaimo September 26, 2016
Actress Glynis Johns as Miranda, a mermaid living in a cave.
mermaids

Are Mermaids Real? The Long Tail of a Simple Question

Where do mermaids live? Where are mermaids found? Are there mermaids in real life? Are mermaids really real?
Sarah Laskow September 26, 2016
Friends.
features

How Our Make-Believe Relationships With Celebrities Shape Our Social Lives

It’s in our nature to want to form relationships with others—even if they don’t know who we are.
Lauren Young September 23, 2016
A typical table from the International Puzzle Party 2016.
games

Solving the Mystery of the Secret International Puzzle Party

Only true collectors are invited to this hidden celebration of mechanical puzzles.
Eric Grundhauser September 23, 2016
england

For 200 Years, Secret 'Anvil Weddings' Were Performed by Blacksmiths in the U.K.

Runaway weddings had blacksmiths, cobblers and mole-catchers as priests.
Natalie Zarrelli September 22, 2016
Babies from South Vietnam on a flight to the U.S. during "Operation Babylift".  (Photo: Jean-Claude Francolon/Gamma-Rapho/Getty Images)
vietnam war

After the Vietnam War, America Flew Planes Full of Babies Back to the U.S.

Operation Babylift had some problems, though.
Andy Wright September 21, 2016
food

How to Shop for the Revolutionary War

A cottage industry of craftspeople is dedicated to making accurate reproductions of objects used in 18th-century life.
Sarah Laskow September 21, 2016
film

The Obscure Accordionist Who Played Mood Music on Silent Film Sets

Actors needing to cry on cue turned to Danny Borzage.
Nolan Moore September 20, 2016
science

Meet the Woman Who Is Preserving the Smell of History

One scientist's quest to capture old scents.
Eric Grundhauser September 20, 2016
The methane river delta on Titan, one of Saturn's moons, as depicted by space artist Ron Miller.
space exploration

Space Art Propelled Scientific Exploration of the Cosmos—But Its Star is Fading Fast

The huge, hidden cost to severing the bond between art and science.
George Pendle September 20, 2016
books

The 'Atlas Obscura' Book Is Out Now!

The world's wonders, in a convenient hardcover format.
Ella Morton September 20, 2016
subterranean

You Can Follow a Hidden Stream Beneath Indianapolis—If You Know Where to Look

Pogue's Run makes an appearance in the best-selling novel 'Underground Airlines.'
Sarah Laskow September 20, 2016
radio

This Buenos Aires Radio Show Comes to You Live from a Psychiatric Hospital

The entertaining Radio La Colifata is challenging perceptions of mental illness.
Sam Harrison September 19, 2016
nazis

The Revolutionary Concept of Standard Sizes Only Dates to the 1920s

Nearly everything in your home is a certain size, thanks to German architect Ernst Neufert.
Daniel Richards September 19, 2016
Vernadsky Station on Galindez Island, Antarctica.
essential guide

10 Bars at the End of the World

Raise a glass to some of the most remote and unlikely watering holes in the far reaches of the world.
Eric Grundhauser September 17, 2016
comic books

How America’s First Popular Comic Shaped the 19th Century Newspaper Wars

It also gave us dialogue bubbles.
Erik Shilling September 16, 2016
utopias

Was Your Salad Fork Made in a Former Utopia?

From your fridge to your silverware, you've probably benefited from a utopia.
Eric Grundhauser September 16, 2016