Business
How the Trampoline Came to Be
Inspired by circus performers, George Nissen created the bouncing ‘tumbling device’ that still captures imaginations 75 years later
A Vibrant Tour of America's Neon Signs
In his upcoming book ‘Neon Road Trip,’ photographer John Barnes captures a luminous part of advertising history
Madam C.J. Walker Gets a Netflix Close-Up
A turn-of-the-century hair-care magnate who shared her wealth gets the spotlight
How the Government Came to Decide the Color of Your Food
A business historian explains America's commitment to regulating the appearance of everything from margarine to canned peas
Eight Innovators to Watch in 2020
From plastic recycling pioneers to landmine foes, these dreamers have big plans for the coming year
How Playmobil Went From a Simple, Smiling Figure to a Worldwide Sensation
A new movie plays off the narrative nature of a toy that has been capturing imaginations for 45 years
The Accidental Invention of Play-Doh
The much-loved children’s toy was a desperate spinoff of a putty used to clean soot off of wallpaper
How the Zamboni Changed the Game for Ice Rinks
Invented by rink owner Frank Zamboni, the ice-clearing machine celebrates its 70th anniversary this year
How Food Brought Success to a Chef, a Cookbook Author and a Restaurateur
Historian Ashley Rose Young shares research from the Smithsonian’s 23-year-long ‘American Food History Project’
Five Roles Robots Will Play in the Future of Farming
From picking fruit to pulling weeds, robotics are bringing precision farming to life
Could Eating Sea Urchins Help Revive Kelp Forests?
A Norwegian 'urchin ranching' company wants to take the echinoderms from the wild, fatten them up and sell them to restaurants
The Rise of the Zombie Mall
Hundreds of big retail centers have gone under, but the shop-til-you drop lifestyle isn't dead yet
Move Over Fake Meat, It's Time for Veggie Seafood
Here are six companies bringing you animal-free fish products, from tomato-based sushi to "Fysh Sauce"
The Accidental Invention of the Slinky
The idea for the timeless toy sprung to mind when Naval engineer Richard James dropped some coiled wires
How the Wiffle Ball Came to Be
Patented in 1957, the lightweight ball saved players' arms and more than a few windows
For 100 Years, KitchenAid Has Been the Stand-Up Brand of Stand Mixers
Even celebrity chef Julia Child said that the sleek appliance made mixing 'marvelous'
How Women Are Leading the Charge to Recycle Whole Houses
From lobbying for changes to city laws to running reuse centers for building supplies, women are dominating the deconstruction industry
The Most Irish Town in America Was Built on Seaweed
After discovering 'Irish moss' in coastal waters, Irish immigrants launched a booming mossing industry in Scituate, Massachusetts
Entrepreneur Mae Reeves' Hat Shop Was a Philadelphia Institution. You Can Visit It at the Smithsonian.
The National Museum of African American History and Culture recreated one of the first businesses in the city to be owned by a black woman
The Unexpected History of the Air Conditioner
The invention was once received with chilly skepticism but has become a fixture of American life
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