Editors' Picks

The Early History of Faking War on Film

Early filmmakers faced a dilemma: how to capture the drama of war without getting themselves killed in the process. Their solution: fake the footage

PHOTOS: The History of Abraham Lincoln on Film

The 16th president has been a Hollywood star and box office attraction since the earliest days of Hollywood

Esperanza Spalding Took on Bieber, Now Takes on Jazz

The innovative bassist and winner of the Smithsonian American Ingenuity Award for performing arts is taking jazz to a whole new place

Science Beats

Page 2 of 2

There have been a range of ridiculous evil plans throughout the years. But which are the least ridiculous?
November 09, 2012 | By Colin Schultz

In 1914, the Mexican rebel signed a contract with an American newsreel company that required him to fight for the cameras. Too good to be true? Not entirely
November 06, 2012 | By Mike Dash

The stylish spy wore a Rolex and sunglasses that you can't buy on Black Friday on any other day
November 09, 2012 | By Emily Spivack

How a gifted black singer transformed opera and the nation through a lifetime of giving
November 06, 2012 | By Joann Stevens

The roots music expert’s latest album is finger-picking good
January 2013 | By Leah Binkovitz

As a film version of his Les Misérables hits theaters, consider traveling in the French writer’s footsteps
December 24, 2012 | By Nina Fedrizzi

The idyllic scenes of the dreamy holiday tune were painted by a Russian Jewish immigrant named Israel Baline, better known as Irving Berlin
December 18, 2012 | By Amy Henderson

The innovative bassist and winner of the Smithsonian American Ingenuity Award for performing arts is taking jazz to a whole new place
December 2012 | By dream hampton

The Smithsonian American Ingenuity Award winner for visual arts transformed filmmaking as he assembled a new myth out of Hurricane Katrina
December 2012 | By Franz Lidz

November 2012 | By Leah Binkovitz

In an excerpt from his new book, David Byrne explains why sometimes, he prefers hearing nothing
October 2012 | By David Byrne

Some scrapped Jurassic Park 4 designs show the movie's insane ideas for dinosaur soldiers
October 12, 2012 | By Brian Switek

The Brooklyn string band brings it all back home
September 2012 | By Leah Binkovitz

Directors take note: scientist and author David Kirby commends the accuracy in these popular films
September 21, 2012 | By Megan Gambino

From asteroids to cloning, author and scientist David Kirby weighs in
September 19, 2012 | By Megan Gambino

A big part of Halloween is getting scared, intentionally. Why in the world would anyone want that?
October 29, 2012 | By Rose Eveleth

What does jalapeno-spiced polka music sound like?
September 2012 | By Aviva Shen

Everyone knows that Godzilla is a radioactive dinosaur, but just what sort of dinosaur is the famous monster?
September 21, 2012 | By Brian Switek

What is it about place that makes music special? The rock star dissects what he enjoys about what he hears, from opera to jazz to radio hits
September 12, 2012 | By Seth Colter Walls

The Hobbit was first published 75 years ago today - and it wasn't exactly the way you remember it
September 21, 2012 | By Rose Eveleth

The evolution of Dracula, from the mind of a sickly youth to an iconic portrayal on the silver screen
October 31, 2012 | By Jimmy Stamp

The documentary filmmaker has become America's most surprising and provocative public intellectual
March 2012 | By Ron Rosenbaum

Advertisement

Follow Us

Travel with Smithsonian