Stories from this author
From ‘the Brick’ to the iPhone, the Cellphone Celebrates 50 Years
As the technology turns 50, science fiction might hint at the cellphone’s next chapter
In the 25 Years Since Its Launch, AOL Instant Messenger Has Never Been ‘Away’
While some aspects of AIM seem like relics of a different version of the internet, others remain deeply embedded in the social media landscape
Keeping Tamagotchi Alive
The virtual pet that turned ‘90s kids into round-the-clock caretakers turned 25 this year
How ‘Scream’ Explored the Exploitative Nature of the Nightly News
Twenty-five years ago, the first installment of the horror franchise hit theaters just as a national debate about on-screen violence reached a fever pitch
At 40, MTV Is Officially Over the Hill
Born in 1981, the network soon grew to include reality TV and the VMAs. But nothing compares to its glory days of 24/7 music videos
Why Players Around the World Gobbled Up Pac-Man
Born 40 years ago, the hungry little critter turned women and children into gamers, changing the industry forever
The Colorful History of the Troll Doll
With the release of Trolls World Tour, and a new generation entranced by the ugly-but-cute toy, it appears the troll’s lucky streak lives on
The History of the StairMaster
The 1980s brought about America’s gym obsession—and a machine that demands a notoriously grueling cardio workout
The Magical Animation of ‘Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer’
The Christmas television special—the longest running in history—was groundbreaking in its use of stop-motion animation with puppets
A Brief History of the Crock Pot
More than eighty years after it was patented, the Crock Pot remains a comforting presence in American kitchens