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An Edible White House, and the Long History of Gingerbread
The history of gingerbread starts as early as the 11th century
December 24, 2012 |
By Colin Schultz
Watch Out for All the Holiday Drinking—You Might Spontaneously Combust
In the 18th century, sober citizens and church goers loved to harp on the evils of alcohol abuse, which supposedly could cause a person to randomly burst into flames
December 24, 2012 |
By Rachel Nuwer
Key to Getting Holiday Shopping Right, Science Says, Is to Trust Your Gut
Skip the holiday season melt downs by not over-thinking gifts for family or close friends, researchers advise
December 24, 2012 |
By Rachel Nuwer
Instead of Dieting After the Holidays, Take the Bus
Driving just 1 mile less per day is more effective at reducing weight than cutting back on 100 calories per day
December 21, 2012 |
By Rachel Nuwer
Food Can Give You a Hangover
The connection between specific foods and migraines is tough to prove, scientifically, but those with migraines often switch their diets to avoid foods that trigger the pain
December 20, 2012 |
By Rose Eveleth
The First Nativity Scene Was Created in 1223
Nativity buffs will also note that the familiar cast of characters relied upon today is not biblically accurate
December 14, 2012 |
By Rachel Nuwer
Pet Store Refuses to Sell Impulse-Buy Puppies for Christmas
Too many animals end up on death row, one Australian pet shop says, so their shop will not sell kittens or puppies around Christmas time
December 12, 2012 |
By Rachel Nuwer
Your Christmas Tree Helps Fight Climate Change
The key for trapping carbon lies in the soil, rather than the trees.
December 12, 2012 |
By Rachel Nuwer
We Don’t Know the Origins of the Candy Cane, But They Almost Certainly Were Not Christian
There are a lot of explanations floating around out there about the candy cane - but almost none of them are true
December 11, 2012 |
By Rose Eveleth
The Modern Way to Honor Guy Fawkes: Hack a Website
Each year, Guy Fawkes is remembered as a revolutionary by people all over the world, who general celebrate his memory by causing trouble, blowing things up, and most recently, hacking
November 05, 2012 |
By Rose Eveleth
Sandy Unearths Skeleton on New Haven Green
Hurricane Sandy delivered a gruesome mystery, just in time for Halloween
October 31, 2012 |
By Rachel Nuwer
Scaredy Cats Unite—Not Everyone Loves Being Afraid
A big part of Halloween is getting scared, intentionally. Why in the world would anyone want that?
October 29, 2012 |
By Rose Eveleth
The History of Trick Or Treating Is Weirder Than You Thought
It's almost that time of year when underaged kids get into costume and traipse around the neighborhood ringing doorbells and begging for treats
October 18, 2012 |
By Rose Eveleth
Today We Celebrate a Woman Who Saw the Future of Computers
Today is Ada Lovelace Day, a day celebrating the life of Lady Lovelace, a seventeenth century countess who published a paper that might be the first computer program ever devised
October 16, 2012 |
By Rose Eveleth
Bioluminescent Worms Welcomed Columbus to the New World
Before Columbus made landfall in the New World 520 years ago today, glowing green worms engaged in a mating dance may have welcomed him first
October 08, 2012 |
By Rachel Nuwer
Labor Day’s Secret Society Connections
Add Labor Day to the vaulted hall of things concocted by secret societies, alongside Madonna's Superbowl performance and Pancho Villa's stolen skull
September 03, 2012 |
By Rose Eveleth
Singapore’s “National Night” Encourages Citizens to Make Babies
Singapore's "unbelievably low birthrates" have inspired "National Night," a campaign to encourage Singaporean couples to "let their patriotism explode" on August 9.
August 08, 2012 |
By Rachel Nuwer
Smithsonian.com's Holiday Guide
The evolution of mistletoe, the science of Rudolph's nose and everything you've wanted to know about your favorite holiday traditions
July 16, 2012 |
By Smithsonian.com
17 Minutes of Fireworks Go Off in 15 Seconds
Yesterday, in the San Diego Bay, a fireworks show meant to last 17 minutes went off in 15 seconds.
July 05, 2012 |
By Sarah Laskow
On the Solstice, People in the Tropics Cast No Shadow
Today, on the summer solstice, the longest day of the year, the planet tilts the furthest towards the sun. At noon on the Tropic of Cancer, 23° 26′ North, the sun will be at a 90 degree angle from the Earth—directly overhead. Like the can in the picture above, nothing standing on the ground there [...]
June 20, 2012 |
By Sarah Laskow
