Design
The History of the Flapper, Part 5: Who Was Behind the Fashions?
Sears styles sprung from the ideas of European artists and couturiers
April 05, 2013 |
By Emily Spivack
How the Chess Set Got Its Look and Feel
The vaunted Staunton Chess Set, the standard chess set you probably grew up with, has its roots in neoclassical architecture
April 03, 2013 |
By Jimmy Stamp
Sagging Pants Butt Up Against the Law
Yet the droopy trousers trend lives on
April 01, 2013 |
By Emily Spivack
Now You Know the History of G.I. Joe. And Knowing Is Half The Battle
The evolution of the All American Hero from artist's mannequin to action figure
March 29, 2013 |
By Jimmy Stamp
The Minivan Turns 30
Celebrate the birthday of the iconic car that changed the way families drove
March 26, 2013 |
By Jimmy Stamp
The Debate Continues Over How to Rebuild New Orleans’ Lower Ninth Ward
Five years in, the merits of Make It Right's housing project are under new scrutiny
March 22, 2013 |
By Jimmy Stamp
A Refreshing Take on Fashion Television: A Q&A with L.A. Frock Stars’ Star Doris Raymond
A new series brings high-end style to vintage wear
March 22, 2013 |
By Emily Spivack
Projection Chic: Jane Jetson Tries on Clothes in the Future
As we move closer to the Jetsonian vision of choosing outfits, privacy has gone out of fashion
March 20, 2013 |
By Matt Novak
A Partial History of Headphones
Modern headphones have their origin in opera houses, military bases and a kitchen table in Utah
March 19, 2013 |
By Jimmy Stamp
The Perils of Wearing Clothes
From toxins in textile dyes to torturous corsets, beauty has a long history of coming at a high cost
March 18, 2013 |
By Emily Spivack
A New Meaning to Green Urban Design: Dyeing the Chicago River
The story behind how the Windy City gets its yearly watery makeover
March 15, 2013 |
By Jimmy Stamp
Mid-21st Century Modern: That Jetsons Architecture
The artists and animators working on "The Jetsons" were inspired by the futurist architecture popping up around Los Angeles
March 14, 2013 |
By Matt Novak
Who Really Invented the Smiley Face?
It's supposedly the 50th anniversary of the original design of the iconic image, but its history since then is surprisingly complex with millions of dollars at stake
March 13, 2013 |
By Jimmy Stamp
The Northern Lights—From Scientific Phenomenon to Artists’ Muse
The spectacular aurora borealis is inspiring artists to create light installations, musical compositions, food and fashion
March 12, 2013 |
By Megan Gambino
An Early History of the Parachute
It wasn't a military expert or an aviation pioneer, but a Russian actor who developed the first viable parachute
March 07, 2013 |
By Jimmy Stamp
The Aughts: When People Wore Their Causes on Their Sleeves, Literally
It was a decade of Uggs and excess but also styles meant to further the greater good
March 06, 2013 |
By Emily Spivack
Hot Air Balloon Travel for the Luxury Traveler of the 1800s
Visionary designers of the 19th century believed that the future of air travel depended on elaborate airships
March 05, 2013 |
By Jimmy Stamp
Digital Files and 3D Printing—in the Renaissance?
3D printing is a new technology that seems poised to change the world, but its origins date back all the way to the 15th century
March 01, 2013 |
By Jimmy Stamp
The History of the Lava Lamp
At 50, the legendary relic of the college dorm room is still groovy after all these years
March 2013 |
By Abigail Tucker
Could Solar Panels on Your Roof Power Your Home?
Researchers at MIT are investigating how to turn houses in Cambridge, Massachusetts, into mini-power plants
March 2013 |
By James Holloway
