72 Items Tagged

Tedium

The Weird Logic Behind Yard Signs in Politics

If they aren't very effective, why are they so ubiquitous?

Ernie Smith June 13, 2016

How Unions and Regulators Made Clothing Tags an Annoying Fact of Life

A brief history.

Ernie Smith June 6, 2016

How the Family Who Got Rich with Hot Pockets Is Giving Away Their Fortune

It's a lot of money.

Ernie Smith May 31, 2016

A Short History of Rakes, and Why You Should Think Twice About Using Them

They've evolved through the years.

Ernie Smith May 20, 2016

The History of GeoWorks, Microsoft Windows' Upstart '90s Competitor

AOL's also involved.

Ernie Smith May 2, 2016

The Controversial History of Letterboxing for Movies on Your TV

It's been a long struggle.

Ernie Smith April 18, 2016

When America's Most Notorious Lobbyist Produced a Dolph Lundgren Film

Jack Abramoff and the story of Red Scorpion.

Ernie Smith April 11, 2016

How the Commodore Amiga Powered Your Cable System in the '90s

The life and death of the Prevue channel, which showed you what to watch.

Ernie Smith April 4, 2016

How Breakfast Cereal Evolves Across Borders

Take Canada's "meal replacement in a bowl," for example.

Ernie Smith March 28, 2016

A Brief History of Rock Stars Destroying Guitars

From Pete Townshend to Caleb Followill.

Ernie Smith March 21, 2016

Thomas Jefferson's Dream to Rid the Oceans of Salt

A massive new industry in modern times, desalination has a long history.

Ernie Smith March 7, 2016

The Curious Reasons Why Barber Shops Don't Take Credit Cards

Ernie Smith February 22, 2016

In Greenland, A Popular Record is Owned by 1 Out of Every 12 People

Ernie Smith February 8, 2016

How Dollar Stores Were Planted in the South and Bloomed Around the U.S.

Ernie Smith January 25, 2016

The Anonymous Voices Behind Your Favorite TV Theme Songs

Ernie Smith January 18, 2016

The Twisted Things People Have Done For A Klondike Bar

Ernie Smith January 4, 2016

How The Hidden Track Faded From Recorded Music

Ernie Smith November 30, 2015

How U.S. Drinking Laws Created the Fake ID Market

Ernie Smith November 9, 2015