USA
Charles McIlvaine, Pioneer of American Mycophagy
"I take no man's word for the qualities of a toadstool," said the man who took it upon himself to sample more than 600 species
February 08, 2012 |
By Peter Smith
How Much the Hope Diamond is Worth and Other Questions From Our Readers
From American art, history and culture, air and space technology, contemporary art, Asian art and any of the sciences from astronomy to zoology, we'll find an answer
February 07, 2012 |
By Aviva Shen
The Man Who Wouldn’t Die
The plot to kill Michael Malloy for life-insurance money seemed foolproof—until the conspirators actually tried it
February 07, 2012 |
By Karen Abbott
Bedtime Reading From Beatrix Potter: Amateur Mycologist
Would Flopsy, Mopsy and Peter Cottontail have been conceived had it not been for the biases of Victorian era science?
February 06, 2012 |
By Peter Smith
What to Look for on the Train Ride From New York to Washington
Sure, the view along Amtrak's Northeast Corridor has its share of grime. But there are also sights that'll make you want to put away your smart phone
February 02, 2012 |
By Susan Spano
Celebrate Black History Month with the Smithsonian
From Kenyan storytelling performances to Black Power film screenings, February on the Mall is buzzing with Black History Month events.
February 01, 2012 |
By Aviva Shen
The Mystique of Route 66
Foreign tourists and local preservationists are bringing stretches of the storied roadway back to life
February 2012 |
By David Lamb
Jose Andres and Other Toques of the Town Honor Alice Waters
What do you cook for famed chef Alice Waters? Washington's culinary celebrities faced this challenge at the unveiling of her portrait at the Smithsonian
January 31, 2012 |
By Jeanne Maglaty
The Game that Put the NFL’s Reputation on the Line
In 1930, many football fans believed the college game was better than the professional one
January 31, 2012 |
By Gilbert King
Frito Pie and the Chip Technology that Changed the World
As we approach one of the biggest snack days of the year, meet the "Tom Edison of snack food" who brought us the "Anglo corn chip"
January 30, 2012 |
By Peter Smith
L.A.’s Answer to the Yellow Brick Road
A group including the actor Jack Nicholson has tried to get Dirt Mulholland on the National Register of Historic Places
January 30, 2012 |
By Susan Spano
Saving the Whales (And Eating Them Too?)
What does whale meat taste like, and is it anything like jojoba oil, prosciutto or jellied crustaceans?
January 27, 2012 |
By Peter Smith
The Allure of Nonexistent Places
Long-gone destinations have their own special appeal, don't you think?
January 24, 2012 |
By Susan Spano
The Curious Case of a Gigantic Sham Clam
Geoducks are a staple of Chinese New Year. But did one grow to the size of a wheelbarrow?
January 23, 2012 |
By Peter Smith
Would You Like Some Salt and Pepper? How About 80,000 Shakers' Worth?
Over the course of just a couple of decades, the Ludden family has amassed enough novelty shakers to fill two museums in the U.S. and Spain
January 23, 2012 |
By Derek Workman
Curators, Scientific Adventurers and Book Worms to Watch in 2012
Our top ten picks from the Smithsonian Twitterati and blogrolls.
January 20, 2012 |
By Aviva Shen
Diving for the Secrets of the Battle of the Atlantic
Off the coast of North Carolina lie dozens of shipwrecks, remainders of a forgotten theater of World War II
January 18, 2012 |
By Jim Morrison
The Stalking of the President
Charles J. Guiteau said he wanted to kill President James A. Garfield "in an American manner." He passed up several opportunities before he thought the time was right.
January 17, 2012 |
By Gilbert King
At Long Last, King Memorialized on the Mall
In honor of MLK day, the president of the Martin Luther King Memorial Foundation speaks about seeing the project to fruition
January 13, 2012 |
By Joseph Stromberg
When Did the Girl Scouts Start Selling Cookies?
What are your favorite varieties, and what do they say about you? And did you sell the cookies as a kid?
January 12, 2012 |
By Jesse Rhodes
