cars
The 1930s 'Pedestrian Catcher' That Promised to End Jaywalking Deaths
Goodbye, car accidents!
Articles by Michael Waters
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Stories
Stories shared by this traveler.
libraries
The Librarian Who Guarded the Manhattan Project's Secrets
While dodging accusations of communism, Charlotte Serber made the nuclear bomb possible.
volcanoes
So You Want to Buy a Volcano
History shows you're not alone.
food
Genovese Airport Makes Special Exception for Travelers Bringing Aboard Pesto
But don't even think about carrying on pesto that isn't Genovese.
pneumatic tubes
People in 1920s Berlin Nightclubs Flirted via Pneumatic Tubes
It was the Tinder of the early 20th century.
video
A Japanese Diver's 25-Year Friendship With a Local Fish
Plus: a really adorable man-fish kiss.
radio
The 'Child Impersonator' Who Voiced a Whole Family of Young Characters
In the early 1900s, Harry Hemsley became an icon for his youthful mimicry.
animals
This Feline Boxing Match From 1894 Is a Precursor to the Cat Video
Thomas Edison knew his audience.
objects of intrigue
A Treasury Official in 1866 Put His Own Face on U.S. Currency
The bill was supposed to feature explorer William Clark instead.
cars
This Bizarre 1911 Film Warns of the Perils of Self-Driving Cars
Robot chauffeurs will truly take you out of this world.
haunted
Perhaps You'd Like to Work as a Nanny in This Haunted Scottish Home
The gig may include ghosts, but it also comes with a $63,000 salary.
music
The Self-Playing Violins That Mastered Chopin
The robotic Phonoliszt-Violin was dubbed the "Eighth Wonder of the World" in 1910.
sports
Pizza Acrobatics Is the Sport You Have Been Waiting For
Like the Harlem Globetrotters—but with dough.
animals
The 1903 Parrot Academy That Taught Birds to Speak Using Phonographs
In three languages!
bookstores
In 1964, You Could Buy Magazines From a Street Dalek
Your new favorite traveling bookseller.
video
A Pride Month Playlist, Brought to You by the Jazz Age
"You go and give your girl a kiss in the hall / But instead you find you're kissing her brother Paul."
objects of intrigue
The 1920s Sex Detector That Rocked the Poultry Industry
Could it really tell whether an egg held a hen or a rooster?
radio
Listen to Radio on the Go With This Strange 1931 Hat
Its name? The Radio Hat.
trains
This Rail Line Runs Through the Middle of a 19-Story Apartment Building
In Chongqing, catch the train at your front door.
restaurants
Old Hollywood's Best Theme Restaurants Specialized in Abductions and Dungeons
In 1920s L.A., a fun dinner meant getting locked up.
puppets
These 1950s Coffee Commercials Featured Violent 'Muppets' Prototypes
Buy Wilkins Coffee—or else.
video
This Bizarre '50s 'Rhino' Vehicle Was Designed to Replace the Tank
The U.S. military never bought it.
world war i
National Doughnut Day Began With an Ingenious Woman on a WWI Battlefield
Lt. Colonel Helen Purviance fried dough on the frontlines.
stores
A Former 7-Eleven Owner Opened a Rival Store Across the Street Named 6-Twelve
He made the decision after an extended legal battle.
