Technology
Technological applications and advances in computers, agriculture, industry and transportation
In a Homemade Tank, Syrian Rebels Use a PlayStation Controller to Operate a Machine Gun
The Syrian rebel forces, who face a strong disparity in access to the tools of war, have fashioned themselves a homemade tank
December 10, 2012 |
By Colin Schultz
What Would It Be Like To See Infrared Light?
Scientists have engineered some proteins to "see" infrared
December 07, 2012 |
By Rose Eveleth
Motopia: A Pedestrian Paradise
Visit the futuristic town where drivers and non-drivers live in perfect harmony
December 06, 2012 |
By Matt Novak
Where to Watch the Biggest Waves Break
From Waimea Bay to "Mavericks," here are some superb sites to watch surfers catch the biggest breakers in the world this winter
December 06, 2012 |
By Alastair Bland
After Decades of Wishing for a Mars Colony, It May Finally Be Within Reach
With multiple paths to the red planet laid out, we might actually see people on Mars in the next few decades
December 06, 2012 |
By Colin Schultz
Holiday Gift Guide: Ideas for the Design Enthusiasts in Your Life
In preparation for the holiday season, a selection of gift ideas related to some of our favorite Design Decoded posts
December 06, 2012 |
By Jimmy Stamp
The Day Henry Clay Refused to Compromise
The Great Pacificator was adept at getting congressmen to reach agreements over slavery. But he was less accommodating when one of his own slaves sued him
December 06, 2012 |
By Gilbert King
Your Genetic Future: Horse-Dogs, Plantimals and Mini-Rhino Pets
A kids' magazine in the '80s hoped that by now we'd have a whole new array of pets to choose from
December 05, 2012 |
By Matt Novak
Your Cell Phone Could Soon Become Part of a Massive Earthquake Detection System
In the future, your cell phone's accelerometer could help detect earthquakes
December 05, 2012 |
By Colin Schultz
The First Text Message, Sent Twenty Years Ago, Was ‘Merry Christmas’
Text messaging turns twenty - celebrating two decades of helping people plan where to meet, wish happy birthday, break up, make up, and generally communicate without actually having to talk to one another
December 05, 2012 |
By Rose Eveleth
Electric Bus Charges While It Picks Up Passengers
Utah State University's buses charge like an electric toothbrush or cell phone while dropping off and picking up passengers
December 04, 2012 |
By Rachel Nuwer
Could a Computer Out-Diagnose Dr. House?
Could computers may make diagnostic wizardry a thing of the past?
December 04, 2012 |
By Rachel Nuwer
You Can Now Have Pixar’s Cute Moving Lamp As a Pet
A playful, moving pet robot lamp
December 03, 2012 |
By Colin Schultz
Find Out How Stressed Out Your Dog Really Is
If tracking your own personal feelings, calories, productivity and health weren't keeping you busy enough, the Japanese company Fujitsu wants you to be able to do it for your dog too
December 03, 2012 |
By Rose Eveleth
Have GPS Devices Taken the Fun out of Navigation?
With the rise of the digital age, the fascinating skills of map reading and celestial navigation are becoming lost arts
December 03, 2012 |
By Alastair Bland
The Pope’s Tweets Are Official Church Doctrine
The pope is officially Tweeting now, under the handle @pontifex, and his Tweets are officially "part of the church's magisterium." Which means that anything he Tweets is the teaching authority of the Catholic Church
December 03, 2012 |
By Rose Eveleth
Video Games Are Officially Art, According to the MoMA
The Museum of Modern Art bought 14 video games last week to add to their permanent collection - making video games not just interesting anthropological artifacts, but also a form of art
December 03, 2012 |
By Rose Eveleth
Photos: A Last Look at Fall
Before the weather turns cold, take one last walk in the woods with these beautiful autumn photos submitted by our readers
December 2012 |
By Smithsonian.com
Elon Musk, the Rocket Man With a Sweet Ride
The winner of the Smithsonian Ingenuity Award for technology hopes to launch a revolution with his spaceship and electric car
December 2012 |
By Carl Hoffman
Dr. NakaMats, the Man With 3300 Patents to His Name
Meet the most famous inventor you’ve never heard of – whose greatest invention may be himself
December 2012 |
By Franz Lidz
