Time
The past, present and future divided into geologic and historic eras, significant historic and cultural events, and centuries and decadesDiscover Smithsonian articles as they relate to the past, present and future.
How Scientists Are Recreating a Mating Call Last Heard in the Jurassic Period
Preserved in stone, a set of ancient insect wings are “chirping” once again thanks to the work of entomologists
January 2013 |
By Brian Switek
What is the Anthropocene and Are We in It?
Efforts to label the human epoch have ignited a scientific debate between geologists and environmentalists
January 2013 |
By Joseph Stromberg
The Vegas Hotspot That Broke All the Rules
America’s first interracial casino helped end segregation on the Strip and proved that the only color that mattered was green
January 2013 |
By Kevin Cook
How to Avoid Getting Scammed on New Year’s Eve Champagne
Tonight, when you pop the bubbly, are you popping champagne or sparkling wine? How should you pour it? How do you drink it?
December 31, 2012 |
By Rose Eveleth
The Last Working Copyist in Mali Is Trying To Save Timbuktu’s Manuscripts
180,000 medieval manuscripts are housed in Timbuktu, and only 23,000 of those ancient writings have ever been catalogued
December 27, 2012 |
By Rachel Nuwer
This Christmas Tune Was Written By An Astronaut And Recorded in Space
Listen to the first song written specifically to be performed in space
December 27, 2012 |
By Colin Schultz
Think Apple Maps Are Bad? These Cartographics Blunders Were Way Worse
If you think Apple messed up big time, think again. The history of map making is full of far worse blunders
December 26, 2012 |
By Rose Eveleth
Open For Business: The 3D Printed Gun Store
After Makerbot and Stasys pulled support, 3-D gun printers have found help elsewhere, and opened an online database of designs
December 26, 2012 |
By Rose Eveleth
The Irish Used to Celebrate The Day After Christmas by Killing Wrens
If you've ever wanted to celebrate the day after christmas by hunting down a small bird and tying it to the top of a pole, move to Ireland
December 26, 2012 |
By Rose Eveleth
The Children Who Went Up In Smoke
A tragic Christmas mystery remains unsolved more than 60 years after the disappearance of five young siblings
December 25, 2012 |
By Karen Abbott
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
Santa Could Totally Deliver All Those Presents Using Worm Holes Or Relativity Clouds
Have you ever wondered just how Santa delivers presents to every nice kid on Earth in just one night
December 24, 2012 |
By Rose Eveleth
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
Was Yasser Arafat Poisoned by Polonium?
In November, the body of Yasser Arafat was exhumed from beneath several feet of concrete to determine whether or not the leader had been poisoned by polonium 210
December 24, 2012 |
By Rose Eveleth
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
Take a Tour of Victor Hugo's Paris
As a film version of his Les Miserables hits theaters, consider traveling in the French writer’s footsteps
December 24, 2012 |
By Nina Fedrizzi
All of Zeus’s Affairs, Visualized
If you remember nothing else from Roman and Green mythology it's probably that Zeus got around. Many stories involve the god of gods running about with women, mortal or otherwise
December 21, 2012 |
By Rose Eveleth
The History of the Teddy Bear: From Wet and Angry to Soft and Cuddly
After Teddy Roosevelt's act of sportsmanship in 1902 was made legendary by a political cartoonist, his name was forever affixed to an American classic
December 21, 2012 |
By Gilbert King
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
