The First Fax Machine Predates the American Civil War
Scottish inventor Alexander Bain created the first version of a fax machine in 1846, 15 years before the start of the American Civil War.
History
HistoryUnderstanding the Mad Hatter Syndrome: Causes and Effects
Not a literary invention, the Mad Hatter syndrome was a real condition that affected hatmakers in the 18th and 19th centuries.
HistoryHow a Naval Engineer's Mishap Led to the Invention of Slinky
The Slinky, a popular toy in the 20th century, was invented by accident during World War II.
HistoryRevealing the Hidden Hues of Ancient Sculptural Masterpieces
Contrary to popular belief, the ancient world's grand marble statues and temples were not left unpainted. They were true works of art, lavished with vibrant colors.
HistoryUnexpected Beginnings: The True Origin of Silly Putty
Silly Putty, a popular children's toy, was accidentally created during World War II as a failed attempt to invent synthetic rubber.
HistoryThe Curious Case of Abraham Lincoln and the Tomato Incident
Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States, never once saw a ripe tomato until over halfway through his term as President!
HistoryVladimir Zworykin: Unsung Pioneer of Modern Television
Even though Philo Farnsworth is credited with inventing the first fully functional all-electronic image pickup device, the image dissector, it was Vladimir Zworykin who is often referred to as the 'father of television.
HistoryRediscovering the Overlooked Origins of Stainless Steel
In 1912, Harry Brearley of the UK discovered a way to make stainless steel, but his discovery was overlooked and forgotten.
HistoryThe Unexpected Discovery of the World's Oldest Crayon
Archaeologists discovered a tiny object from 10,000 years ago on a UK excavation site that turned out to be world's the oldest known crayon.
History1816: The Year the World Experienced a Summerless Season
The year 1816 is known as 'The Year Without a Summer' because of severe climate abnormalities.
HistoryThe Fatal Brew: a Comprehensive Study on Deadly Potions
A pharmaceutical blunder in the 1930s led to the development of the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act
HistorySerendipitous Creation: The Birth of the Color Mauve
The color mauve was accidentally discovered by an 18-year-old chemist named Sir William Henry Perkin while attempting to create a synthetic quinine, a treatment for malaria.
HistoryUnveiling the Surprising Explosive Beginnings of Silly Putty
The popular toy known as 'Silly Putty' was invented accidentally during World War II while attempting to create a synthetic alternative for rubber.
HistoryZhang Heng's Ancient Seismoscope: Early Earthquake Detector
In 132 AD, Chinese inventor, Zhang Heng, invented the world's first seismoscope to detect earthquakes.
HistoryAncient Egypt's Fascinating and Unusual Uses for Lettuce
In ancient Egypt, lettuce was not primarily eaten as a food but was instead regarded as an aphrodisiac and symbol of male fertility.
HistoryNapoleon’s Unlikely Foe: The Rabbit Incident of 1807
In 1807, Napoleon Bonaparte was attacked by a horde of bunnies.
HistoryThe Revolutionary Medical Breakthrough of Medicinal Mould
Despite common beliefs, the discovery of Penicillin by Alexander Fleming in 1928 was quite unsystematic and majorly a product of unanticipated circumstances.
HistoryAnesthetic Discovery Made During a Celebration Event
A medical doctor in the 19th century discovered the anesthetic properties of nitrous oxide, quite accidentally during a party.
HistoryThe Fascinating Story of Tycho Brahe's Iconic Silver Nose
16th-century astronomer Tycho Brahe wore a prosthetic silver nose after losing part of his real one in a duel.
HistoryUnveiling the Unexpected History of the Modern Treadmill
Far from its present use for fitness, treadmills were initially used as punishment in prisons during the 19th century.
HistoryDiscover the Hidden Private Apartment in the Eiffel Tower
Gustave Eiffel had a private apartment on the top of the famous tower he engineered and built in Paris.
HistoryUnveiling the Astonishing Origins of the Color Purple
Purple dye was accidentally discovered by ancient Phoenicians.
HistoryProject Iceworm: The Secret Cold War City Under the Ice
During the Cold War, the United States secretly built and operated a city underneath Greenland's ice cap to house nuclear missiles. The plan was known as 'Project Iceworm'.
HistoryCatastrophic Resonance Collapse of the Basse-Chaine Bridge
The Basse-Chaine bridge in France was brought down in 1850 due to the resonant frequency matches from French soldiers’ synchronized footsteps.