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One Newspaper to Rule Them All
In 1900, British newspaper magnate Alfred Harmsworth predicted a national newspaper for the United States. "Is it not obvious that the power of such a paper might become such as we have not yet seen in the history of the Press?"
January 03, 2012 |
By Matt Novak
Senator Barry Goldwater Imagines Arizona in the Year 2012
The Republican senator and 1964 presidential candidate predicted the growth of the Sun Belt and envisioned an open border with Mexico
December 07, 2011 |
By Matt Novak
Thomas Edison’s Brief Stint As A Homemaker
The famous inventor envisioned a future of inexpensive, prefabricated concrete homes.
October 21, 2011 |
By Matt Novak
Today at War, Tomorrow in Stores
Advertisers in the 1940s promised American consumers that they would be rewarded for their wartime sacrifices on the homefront
October 12, 2011 |
By Matt Novak
Steve Jobs: Futurist, Optimist
The innovator wasn't just this generation's Thomas Edison, he was also its Walt Disney
October 06, 2011 |
By Matt Novak
Strike Up the Brand
In an ever more competitive world, nations strive for the perfect slogan
September 2011 |
By Richard Conniff
The History of Sweetheart Candies
For over a century, the Valentine’s Day treats, and the messages printed on them, have matched the tone and jargon of the times
February 08, 2011 |
By Annette Foglino
Charles Atlas: Muscle Man
How the original 97-pound-weakling transformed himself and brought physical fitness to the masses
August 2009 |
By Jonathan Black
Bank Executives See the Forest and the Trees
In a Maryland forest, bankers trade in their suits and ties to study the environment with Smithsonian scientists
April 2009 |
By Kenneth R. Fletcher
Mao Zedong: King of Kitsch
With Mao-abilia everywhere, the "Great Helmsman" may have done more for the Chinese people in death than in life
March 2009 |
By Bill Brubaker
The Basques Were Here
In arctic Canada, a Smithsonian researcher discovers evidence of Basque trading with North America
February 2009 |
By Anika Gupta
Snowman Gone Wild
Before the age of Frosty, the snowman was abused by children and exploited by advertisers
December 12, 2008 |
By Bob Eckstein
The Financial Panic of 1907: Running from History
Robert F. Bruner discusses the panic of 1907 and the financial crisis of 2008
October 10, 2008 |
By Abigail Tucker
Sky King
Pan Am founder Juan Trippe turned Americans into frequent fliers
November 2007 |
By Owen Edwards
I, Lender
Software engineer Matt Flannery pioneers Internet microloans to the world's poor
October 2007 |
By Amy Crawford
Dream Weavers
In the Mexican village of Teotitlán, gifted artisans create a future from bright hand-loomed rugs
November 01, 2003 |
By Bruce Selcraig
Ruling the Roost
Before the advent of factory farms and supermarkets, the self-made kings of New York City's butter and egg trade lived extra large
July 2003 |
By Michael Shapiro
