Origins of Emoji: Birth of the First Digital Pictogram
Contrary to popular belief, The first known use of an emoji-like form wasn't on the smartphones but was used in 1881 by a satirical magazine named Puck Magazine.
History
ScienceExploring Gallium's Distinctive and Unusual Characteristics
Gallium is a peculiar metal that can melt in your hand.
ScienceHow Teflon Was Unexpectedly Discovered by Chemists
Teflon, known for its non-stick properties widely used in cookware, was accidentally invented by a chemist Roy Plunkett while he was trying to develop a new type of refrigerant.
RecordsPrison Houdini the Man Who Escaped Prison 14 Times
Cho Seong-jin, a South Korean criminal known for his talent of escaping prison has managed to escape confinement a total of 14 times.
NatureDiscover the Breathtaking Pink Lake in Senegal's Heart
Lake Retba, or Lac Rose (Pink Lake) in Senegal, turns bright pink due to a unique type of bacteria.
AnimalsDiscover the Unique Spider-Tailed Horned Viper Species
A viper species with a tail resembling a spider, used to lure in its prey.
ScienceThe Enigmatic Phenomenon of the 'Humphry Davy Effect'
'Humphry Davy Effect' refers to the phenomenon where scientific discoveries are often named after the second person who discovered them, not the first.
HistoryMeet the Wwii Deception Masters: The Ghost Army's Story
During WWII, the U.S. army deployed a deceptive unit known as the Ghost Army which used inflatable tanks and sound effects to fool enemies.
AnimalsThe Enigmatic Fish That Loves to Gaze at the Stars
Astyanax mexicanus, a species of blind cavefish, has evolved to develop the ability to 'see' in the dark using its lateral line system.
AnimalsThe Ingenious Floating Mechanism of the Hummingbird's Tongue
Hummingbirds have a unique structural adaptation that allows their tongues to float, aiding in the efficient extraction of nectar from flowers.
ArtsHarmonious Waves: The Mesmerizing Sound of the Sea Organ
In Zadar, Croatia, there is a sea organ which plays music by way of sea waves and tubes located underneath a set of large marble steps.
ScienceThe Fascinating Glow of Wintergreen Lifesavers in the Dark
Crushing Wintergreen Lifesavers candies in the dark can produce a tiny, brief flash of light. This is due to an effect known as triboluminescence.
MysteriesUnraveling the Enigma: Insights Into the 1977 Wow Signal
In 1977, a powerful narrowband radio signal was received by Ohio State University's Big Ear radio telescope in the United States that lasted for 72 seconds. It appeared to come from the direction of the constellation Sagittarius and bore the expected hallmarks of extraterrestrial origin.
AnimalsThe Remarkable Journey and Life Cycle of Pacific Salmon
Pacific Salmon perform an extraordinary feat in their life cycle. It involves birth, extensive travel, and returning home for reproduction and death — all relying on their impeccable sense of smell.
FoodHow Potato Chips Evolved From a Simple Culinary Accident
The potato chip, a snack loved worldwide, was supposedly invented out of a customer's annoyance in Saratoga Springs, New York, in the year 1853.
FoodUnderstanding the Year-Long Art and Craft of Salami Making
The traditional process of making salami can take up to a year or even longer.
HistoryThe Glow of History: Discovering Vaseline and Uranium Glass
During the early 20th century, uranium was added to certain types of glassware for color effects. This resulted in radioactive glass that glows under UV light.
NatureMystifying Patterns: The Story of Japan's Underwater Circles
In the sea off the coast of Japan, mysterious and perfectly geometric patterns known as underwater crop circles have been discovered.
ScienceQuantum Physics in Leaf Photosynthesis: A Natural Phenomenon
Plants utilize quantum superposition in the process of photosynthesis.
AnimalsIntriguing and Rare Insight Into the Unique Platypus
Platypuses do not have stomachs.
FoodThe Mysterious and Perilous Attraction of Mad Honey
Mad honey, or deli bal, contains hallucinogenic grayanotoxins from rhododendron nectar. Consuming it can lead to intoxication or severe health issues. Caution is advised.
AnimalsStar-Nosed Mole: An Animal With an Extraordinary Nose
The Star-nosed Mole has 22 pink appendages ringed around its snout in star shape that are used to identify food by touch. Its nose is one of the most sensitive on Earth.
RecordsDiscover the Silent Sanctuary: The Quietest Room Ever Built
'Orfield Laboratories' in Minneapolis, Minnesota, holds the Guinness Book record for 'the quietest place on earth'.
FoodAspartame: The Accidental Discovery of a Sweetener
Aspartame, a popular artificial sweetener used in many diet and sugar-free foods, was discovered accidentally by a scientist who was actually working on an anti-ulcer drug.
