toys
Exit Interview: I Played With LEGO for a Living
A former LEGO master model builder talks about taking toys seriously.
Articles by Ella Morton
161
Stories
Stories shared by this traveler.
objects of intrigue
One of the 100 Desks in the U.S. Senate Chamber Is Full of Candy
A certain Republican has a sweet secret.
objects of intrigue
Joining the Caterpillar Club Is as Easy as Escaping a Fiery Plane
A golden bug worn on the lapel could indicate a life of adventure.
australia
How to Tell an Australian From a New Zealander
Bloody hell, mate, don't get it wrong.
libraries
The Strange Affliction of 'Library Anxiety' and What Librarians Do to Help
It's a real phenomenon, and Ivy League librarians are fighting it.
objects of intrigue
The Alarming Aesthetics of Jazz Age Perm Machines
Mix dangling wires and asbestos to achieve the perfect flapper wave.
objects of intrigue
How a 4-Year-Old's Letter to His Father Survived the Civil War
Scribbles from home, kept safe on the battlefield.
crime
What It's Like to Be an Underwater Crime Scene Investigator
Welcome to CSI: Lakes, Rivers, and Oceans.
sharks
The Less-Than-Effective Shark Nets Protecting Australia's Beaches
Can a strip of mesh really keep great whites away?
art
Why Smart Clowns Immortalize Their Make-up Designs on Ceramic Eggs
A unique, egg-based system protects clowns' intellectual property rights.
politics
Why Women Led Anti-Suffrage Campaigns Against Themselves
Why deprive oneself of the right to vote? It's complicated.
fires
Happy Birthday to the World's First Emergency Number
London's '999' turned 79 this week.
medicine
How Man-Midwives Armed With Rusty Forceps Shook Up Obstetrics
Men in the delivery room were not well received.
hair
Some of History's Most Beautiful Combs Were Made for Lice Removal
Delousing can be delightful.
objects of intrigue
The Secret Messages Hiding Inside 17th Century Engagement Rings
They make the modern diamond ring look rather boring.
waterfalls
The Story of Sam Patch, America's First Professional Waterfall Jumper
Patch had a fondness for plunging into the abyss—in front of a paying audience.
books
Letter-Writing Manuals Were the Self-Help Books of the 18th Century
Need to kindly but firmly chastise your son for buying a horse? Read the manual.
objects of intrigue
In the 16th Century, the Best Office Decor was a Tiny Rotting Corpse
Miniature memento moris were all the rage for around 300 years.
art
What the Most Alluring Women of 17th-Century England Looked Like
Beauty was an asset, a weapon, and a curse for the ladies of the Restoration court.
trees
Read the Tree Leaves, With an Artist's Invented Tree Font
The plants are speaking. Time to read what they have to say.
victorian
How England's First Feline Show Countered Victorian Snobbery About Cats
The 1871 cat show ushered in a new era of appreciation for the furry rat-catchers.
objects of intrigue
The World's Most Romantic Socks Are Knitted on an Active Volcano
For a unique gift, order a pair from the island of Tristan da Cunha.
architecture
The Subtle Design Features That Make Cities Feel More Hostile
Think your city doesn’t like you? You’re right.
objects of intrigue
A Mother's Day Gift Idea from Imperial Russia
It starts with a hand-painted enamel egg.
