Historic Eras
Historic eras—including prehistory, ancient and modern history—represent time viewed through the lens of human events
Lunch Atop a Skyscraper Photograph: The Story Behind the Famous Shot
For 80 years, the 11 ironworkers in the iconic photo have remained unknown, and now, thanks to new research, two of them have been identified
September 20, 2012 |
By Megan Gambino
Cartoons of Mohammed, Anti-Jihad Subway Ads and Other Provocations, Past and Future
Today, as protests continue across the Muslim world in reaction to a translated movie trailer posted on YouTube, French Magazine Charlie Hebdo announced that it was publishing cartoons depicting the prophet Muhammad
September 19, 2012 |
By Mary Beth Griggs
The Deadly Side of Moonshine
The Czech Republic is issuing a ban on all alcoholic drinks with a 20% or higher alcohol content in the wake of 20 deaths
September 18, 2012 |
By Mary Beth Griggs
The Blazing Career and Mysterious Death of “The Swedish Meteor”
Can modern science determine who shot this 18th century Swedish king?
September 17, 2012 |
By Mike Dash
Flooding in Pakistan Threatens Remains of 4500-Year-Old Civilization
Strong flooding fueled by the annual monsoon threatens the ancient town of Mohenjo-Daro
September 14, 2012 |
By Colin Schultz
Skeleton Found Under a Parking Lot May Be English King Richard III
A skeleton consistent with that of the long-dead king was unearthed recently in Leicester
September 13, 2012 |
By Colin Schultz
What We Do (And Don’t) Know About the Movie Muslim Innocence
Everything you thought you knew about Sam Bacile, the movie , and the riots, is probably wrong
September 13, 2012 |
By Rose Eveleth
US Official Killed in Libya Mourned by Online Gaming Community
To friends around the world, fallen U.S. State Official was better known as "Vile Rat," his moniker in the online gaming community to which he was an avid participant
September 12, 2012 |
By Rachel Nuwer
How an Obscure Video Sparked International Protests
Sam Bacile's movie was hardly seen at all in the United States, yet it incited a string of riots and the assassination of an American ambassador
September 12, 2012 |
By Rose Eveleth
Questions About the Apocalypse? Ask This Guy
David Morrison, an astrobiologist by day, and apocalypse expert by night, is here to clear up your questions about the end of the world
September 06, 2012 |
By Rose Eveleth
Extinction Rates Are Biased And Much Worse Than You Thought
The IUCN's Red List of endangered species looks bad, but the reality is probably much, much worse
September 03, 2012 |
By Rachel Nuwer
The Accidental History of the @ Symbol
Once a rarely used key on the typewriter, the graceful character has become the very symbol of modern electronic communication
September 2012 |
By William F. Allman
How Steve Jobs' Love of Simplicity Fueled A Design Revolution
Passionate to the point of obsessive about design, Steve Jobs insisted that his computers look perfect inside and out
September 2012 |
By Walter Isaacson
Help Illustrate the Internet With Wikipedia’s Photo Contest
The Wikimedia Foundation is hosting a photo contest, and you could win a trip to Hong Kong.
August 30, 2012 |
By Colin Schultz
Watch Hurricane Isaac Grow and Slam Into Louisiana
A range of satellites are set to watch Isaac, giving a step-by-step look into the storm's evolution
August 29, 2012 |
By Colin Schultz
The Neverending Hunt for Utopia
Through centuries of human suffering, one vision has sustained: a belief in a terrestrial arcadia that offered justice and plenty to any explorer capable of finding it
August 28, 2012 |
By Mike Dash
Crafty Bonobo Shows Humans Aren’t the Only Stone Tool-Makers
Not satisfied with knowing sign language or creating "words" for banana or juice, a 30-year-old male bonobo chimp named Kanzi has proven that ancient humans aren't the only ones capable of making stone tools
August 24, 2012 |
By Rachel Nuwer
Lance Armstrong Surrenders Against Doping Charges and Will be Banned for Life
Yesterday, Armstrong announced that he would no longer fight the doping charges against him. His surrender marks an end not just to his battles, but to his entire career
August 24, 2012 |
By Rose Eveleth
How to Learn a Language Nobody Speaks
After hundreds of years, and multiple attempts to develop a universal language the same problem still remains: no one wants to learn it
August 22, 2012 |
By Rose Eveleth
Better, Faster, Taller – How Big can Buildings Really Get?
The race for the tallest structure in the world has been with us since humans built structures, and today it is going strong. But where's the limit?
August 20, 2012 |
By Rose Eveleth
