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Subjects including the arts and humanities, government, nature, people, recreation, science and societyDiscover Smithsonian articles related to the arts, history, science and popular culture.
How Smart Does a TV Need to Be?
Sure, they're big and they're flat. But TVs still aren't that bright. This, however, could be the year they start acting more like smart phones.
February 09, 2012 |
By Randy Rieland
Weekend Events Feb 10-12: Mourning, The Power of Chocolate Festival, and the Emerson String Quartet
This weekend, go to the Iranian Film Festival, taste and learn why chocolate was called the "food of the gods" by the Aztecs and Mayans, and enjoy a performance by the Emerson String Quartet.
February 09, 2012 |
By Aviva Shen
Lab-grown Babies in the Year 2030
A 1930 book argued that women's "liberation from the dangers of childbirth" would be a crucial first step toward gender equality.
February 09, 2012 |
By Matt Novak
Who Was the First to Discover Dinosaur Eggs?
Despite an immense wave of publicity heralding the discovery of dinosaur eggs in 1923, French paleontologists had discovered them decades earlier
February 08, 2012 |
By Brian Switek
When Uncle Sam Backs Your Film
How Act of Valor is only the latest in a long history of official military involvement in the film industry
February 08, 2012 |
By Daniel Eagan
Charles McIlvaine, Pioneer of American Mycophagy
"I take no man's word for the qualities of a toadstool," said the man who took it upon himself to sample more than 600 species
February 08, 2012 |
By Peter Smith
The Wandering Albatross and Global Warming
The giant oceanic birds are producing more and plumper chicks, at least for now
February 08, 2012 |
By Greg Laden
Sugar of Lead: A Deadly Sweetener
Did ancient Romans, Pope Clement II or Ludwig van Beethoven overdose on a sweet salt of lead?
February 07, 2012 |
By Jesse Rhodes
New Zealand’s Darkest, Bloodiest Secret: The Sandfly
Kiwi recommendations for stopping the biting beasts: DEET, geranium leaves, garlic, rancid bacon, Marmite, Vegemite. Does anything really work?
February 07, 2012 |
By Alastair Bland
How Much the Hope Diamond is Worth and Other Questions From Our Readers
From American art, history and culture, air and space technology, contemporary art, Asian art and any of the sciences from astronomy to zoology, we'll find an answer
February 07, 2012 |
By Aviva Shen
The Man Who Wouldn’t Die
The plot to kill Michael Malloy for life-insurance money seemed foolproof—until the conspirators actually tried it
February 07, 2012 |
By Karen Abbott
What Happens Before a Volcano Blows?
Volcanologists thought that the buildup to a major eruption would take centuries. But this report adds to a growing suspicion that it can happen much faster than expected
February 07, 2012 |
By Greg Laden
Judging a Dinosaur By its Cover
A new study suggests that you can distinguish different hadrosaur species by their pebbly hides alone
February 07, 2012 |
By Brian Switek
Introducing Smithsonian Magazine on the iPad
All the history, travel, science and culture you love in a new and exciting format
February 07, 2012 |
By Joseph Stromberg
Bedtime Reading From Beatrix Potter: Amateur Mycologist
Would Flopsy, Mopsy and Peter Cottontail have been conceived had it not been for the biases of Victorian era science?
February 06, 2012 |
By Peter Smith
What Ever Happened to the Short Film?
Why short films still win Oscars.
February 06, 2012 |
By Daniel Eagan
10 Bright Ideas to Get You Through February
It's not easy to think happy thoughts this time of year. But here are some examples of innovative thinking that remind us it will get better.
February 06, 2012 |
By Randy Rieland
What the Inuit Taught Scientists About Killer Whales
The native people knew what orcas ate, how they hunted prey, how the prey responded to the whales and when and where predation occurred
February 06, 2012 |
By Greg Laden
Dinosaur Deep Freeze
An animated short suggests dinosaurs died out for want of winter coats
February 06, 2012 |
By Brian Switek
Events Feb 7-9: Water Matters, Multiplicity, and Touki Bouki
This week, learn why water matters, take a guided tour of the American Art Museum's exhibition, Multiplicity, and enjoy a free film at the African Art House Film Festival.
February 06, 2012 |
By Aviva Shen
