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Marker showing the start of the Sullivan Line.
military history

One Sloppy Land Surveyor Almost Caused a War Between Missouri and Iowa

In 1839, the outcome of the "Honey War" hinged on the exact location of the Missouri-Iowa border.
Sarah Laskow March 24, 2017
art

Coconut Cannon, Confiscated

The artist Julian Charrière built the device, which is currently in the hands of German police.
Erik Shilling March 20, 2017
Modified tanks driving at Bovington.
Dorset, England

Bovington Tank Range

A popular day's outing in Bovington consists of watching military tank driving practice.
Two newly enlisted Union soldiers pose with their Springfield Armory Model 1861 rifle-muskets.
factories

Rediscovering the Civil War Heroics of a Tiny Massachusetts Armory

By pioneering mass production techniques, it played a unique role in U.S. history in more ways than one.
Cara Giaimo March 7, 2017
Buildings of the SVR, Russia's external intelligence agency. What happens in these buildings are Russian state secrets.
Leninskiy rayon, Russia

The Kamera (The Chamber)

The laboratory where the Soviet secret police invented exotic poisons used to kill dissidents in hideous and (mostly) untraceable ways.
A replica of the "Bulgarian umbrella" used to kill Markov.
weapons

The True History of the Umbrella Gun, a Surprisingly Serious Weapon

Once used to assassinate a Bulgarian dissident, the disguised firearm eventually became a trope of spy films.
Sarah Laskow January 24, 2017
Services are still held, and tours can be arranged
Wamego, Kansas

Beecher Bible and Rifle Church

This historic church is named for abolitionist Henry Ward Beecher and the ruse to arm his fellow abolitionists.
weapons

Found: A 2,300-Year-Old Sword, Still Shining

A sword from China's Warring States period was found in a Xinyang tomb.
Sarah Laskow January 3, 2017
The cannon goes off
Åtvidaberg, Sweden

Åtvidaberg Sun Cannon

In the town of Åtvidaberg, the midday sun sets off a loud cannon boom.
museums

Found: Viking Jewelry Sent to a Museum by an Anonymous Donor

The simple packages also included two Bronze Age axes.
Sarah Laskow December 29, 2016
Looking East towards Cartagena
Cartagena, Spain

Bateria de Castillitos

The two massive guns that defended Cartagena Bay.
Permanently Closed
A clink of the axes to start the match.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Urban Axes

The first American axe throwing club.
Old Power Plant of the Army Research Center in Peenemünde
Peenemünde, Germany

Peenemünde Army Research Center

The NASA scientists behind Apollo 11 started out developing Nazi weapons at this abandoned German rocket factory.
A Rheinbote short range ballistic rocket
Leba, Poland

Nazi Rocket Test Site

This open-air museum was originally a World War II testing ground for German missiles and rockets.
Most of the route visitors take is through eerie, dimly lit underground corridors.
Bydgoszcz, Poland

The Exploseum

An abandoned Nazi explosives plant founded by the inventor of dynamite is now an underground museum.
weapons

Watch Pumpkins Get Launched By a Massive Slingshot and Trebuchet

It's a fall tradition.
Lauren Young October 7, 2016
Front face of the B Reactor. Taken 10/27/2022 on public tour.
Richland, Washington

B Reactor

A 1940s nuclear reactor built to produce plutonium for the Manhattan Project.
weapons

India’s Deadly, Flexible Whip Sword Takes Years to Master

The urumi will cut you.
Eric Grundhauser September 30, 2016