Technology

Breeding the Perfect Bull

A Texas cattleman used genetic science to breed his masterpiece – a near-perfect Red Angus bull. Then nature took its course
April 2010 | By Jeanne Marie Laskas

Q and A: Irish Artist John Gerrard

Artist John Gerrard uses 360-degree photography and 3-D gaming software to create a virtual reality
February 2010 | By Jeff Campagna

For German Butchers, a Wurst Case Scenario

As Germans turn to American-style supermarkets, the local butcher—a fixture in their sausage-happy culture—is packing it in
January 2010 | By Andrew D. Blechman

Holiday Delivery From the Graf Zeppelin

In 1934, a zeppelin originating in Germany and bound for Brazil carried a cargo of Christmas cheer
December 2009 | By Owen Edwards

Flying With America's Most Famous Female Aviators

Dozens of talented women preceded Amelia Earhart, and thousands have followed, and each has her own groundbreaking story to tell
October 22, 2009 | By Patricia Trenner

Captain Bligh's Cursed Breadfruit

The biographer of William Bligh—he of the infamous mutiny on the Bounty—tracks him to Jamaica, still home to the versatile plant
September 2009 | By Caroline Alexander

Taking the Great American Roadtrip

In the spirit of Kerouac and Steinbeck, the celebrated travel writer fulfills a childhood fantasy: to drive across his native land
September 2009 | By Paul Theroux

Morocco's Extraordinary Donkeys

The author returns to Fez to explore the stubborn animal's central role in the life of this desert kingdom
September 2009 | By Susan Orlean

From the Castle

Smithsonian 2.0
September 2009 | By G. Wayne Clough

Great Road Trips in American Literature

From Twain to Kerouac to Bryson, writers have found inspiration in hitting the road and traveling the United States
August 20, 2009 | By Abby Callard

Sheep, Chicks and Geese Scurry at the County Fair

As photographer Dan Nelken has catalogued, the county fair is the place for family farms to showcase their prized livestock
August 14, 2009 | By Brian Wolly

Can Computers Decipher a 5,000-Year-Old Language?

A computer scientist is helping to uncover the secrets of the inscribed symbols of the Indus
July 20, 2009 | By David Zax

Stopping Sharks by Blasting Their Senses

Chemist and businessman Eric Stroud develops shark repellents to protect sharks from being ensnared in commercial fisheries
July 17, 2009 | By Joseph Caputo

Robot Babies

Can scientists build a machine that learns as it goes and plays well with others?
July 2009 | By Abigail Tucker

The Ultimate Spy Plane

The SR-71 Blackbird, now featured in the Transformers movie sequel, was faster than a rifle bullet and flew 16 miles above the earth
July 2009 | By Owen Edwards

A Salute to the Wheel

Always cited as the hallmark of man’s innovation, here is the real story behind the wheel – from its origins to its reinvention
June 18, 2009 | By Megan Gambino

Borne on a Black Current

For thousands of years, the Pacific Ocean’s strong currents have swept shipwrecked Japanese sailors onto American shores
June 16, 2009 | By Curtis Ebbesmeyer and Eric Scigliano

Setting Sail on the Hudson River 400 Years Later

Using 17th century techniques, volunteers built a replica of Henry Hudson's vessel in honor of the anniversary of his exploration
June 08, 2009 | By Wayne A. Hall

Alice Ramsey's Historic Cross-Country Drive

In 1909, 22-year-old Alice Ramsey made history as the first woman to drive across the United States
June 05, 2009 | By Marina Koestler Ruben

Before Rosie the Riveter, Farmerettes Went to Work

During World War I, the Woman’s Land Army of America mobilized women into sustaining American farms and building national pride
May 29, 2009 | By Elaine F. Weiss

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