Society
Culture, traditions and belief systems arising out of the social relationships among a group of people
Events January 18-20: A Multicultural Festival, the Voices of Emancipation and the Smithsonian Staff’s Best Photos
This week, travel around the world in one museum, celebrate the Emancipation Proclamation and see the world through the Smithsonian staff's eyes
January 17, 2013 |
By Paul Bisceglio
PHOTOS: Who Were the Six Indian Chiefs in Teddy Roosevelt’s Inaugural Parade?
Another inauguration, another opportunity to learn more about the men whose presence shocked the country
January 16, 2013 |
By Leah Binkovitz
The U.S. Once Wanted To Use Nuclear Bombs as a Construction Tool
From digging a harbor to expanding the Panama Canal, how couldn't nuclear bombs be used?
January 16, 2013 |
By Colin Schultz
Horse Meat Turned Up in Irish And British Burger Meat
Hamburger meat is never the healthiest option, but it does come with a few basic assumption—like that it's made from cows
January 16, 2013 |
By Rachel Nuwer
How to Win Inauguration Weekend: There’s an App for That
Only one man won the election, but with free tours and insider information, you can still win the weekend. Plus hours, eating spots and where to rest your feet
January 16, 2013 |
By Leah Binkovitz
How To Send Secret Messages With Skype
And now that you know you can—don't you want to?
January 15, 2013 |
By Rose Eveleth
Braving the Pan-American Highway of Death
Along the roadway in Peru, hand-built memorials to accident victims occur almost as regularly as the kilometer markers themselves
January 15, 2013 |
By Alastair Bland
How Kraft Uses Patents to Dominate the Mac and Cheese Wars
A tour through the patent files reveals a wide range of odd shapes, which collectively are a far cry from the elbow-shaped pasta of your youth
January 15, 2013 |
By Dan Lewis
The Hot Condiment of 2013? Barrel-Aged Hot Sauce
Restauranteurs across the nation are feeding a new trend by feeding hot sauce into whiskey oak barrels
January 15, 2013 |
By Marina Koren
Why Are Superachievers So Successful?
Two authors spoke to dozens of the highest-achieving people in the world. Here’s what they learned
January 15, 2013 |
By Amy Crawford
Document Deep Dive: The Menu From President Lincoln’s Second Inaugural Ball
What delicacies and confectionaries were found on the 250-foot-long buffet table?
January 15, 2013 |
By Megan Gambino
Romans Did All Sorts of Weird Things in The Public Baths—Like Getting Their Teeth Cleaned
For ancient Romans enjoying a day at the bathhouse, the list of items lost to drains includes jewelry, scalpels, teeth, needles and plates
January 14, 2013 |
By Rachel Nuwer
Cardboard Cockroach Is the Fastest, Creepiest Robot in the World
The cardboard cockroach can sprint up to 7 miles per hour on its spindly little legs, using them much as an actual cockroach does
January 14, 2013 |
By Rachel Nuwer
Is America a Nation of Soul Food Junkies?
Filmmaker Bryan Hurt explores what makes soul food so personal, starting with his own father's health struggle, in a PBS film premiering tonight
January 14, 2013 |
By Leah Binkovitz
Texas’ New Library Won’t Have Any Books
In San Antonio, an entirely bookless library system
January 14, 2013 |
By Colin Schultz
Can You Make Tea Out of Coffee?
Coffee might not be your cup of tea, or vice versa, but those who love both might be in luck. Researchers have just brewed a new tea made from leaves of the coffee plant
January 14, 2013 |
By Rose Eveleth
The Fisher Space Pen Boldly Writes Where No Man Has Written Before
The Fisher Space Pen has been made famous by Apollo astronauts and Jerry Seinfeld. But just how does it work? And is NASA really spend millions making it?
January 11, 2013 |
By Jimmy Stamp
How Smart Should TVs Be?
Every January, at the Consumer Electronics Show, companies make a point of showing us how much smarter TVs have become, with the hope that they'll once again become our favorite screen.
January 11, 2013 |
By Randy Rieland
Preparing for a Mission to Mars Is Dangerously Boring
One of the biggest challenges to a Mars mission is just how long it takes to get there
January 11, 2013 |
By Rose Eveleth
Americans Are Drinking More Booze And Less Milk And Juice
Maybe it's the economy, or the current state of politics, or the recent boy band resurgence - but for whatever reason, Americans are putting down the milk and picking up the wine glass
January 10, 2013 |
By Rose Eveleth
