The incredible world of computers was born some 150 years ago, with a clunky machine dreamed up by a calculating genius named Charles Babbage
Decibel by Decibel, Reducing the Din to a Very Dull Roar
At RH Lyon Corp, noise-busting engineers tackle everything from leaf blowers to ticking clocks in their search for the right sound
They’re Holding On: Ordinary People, Extraordinary Lives
Long ago, they found a talent or a cause, a way of life or a way of work, then stuck with it—and said to hell with what other people think
How Many Sailors Does It Take to Make an American Flag?
In the patriotic fervor of World War I, Arthur Mole commanded thousands of troops to produce ‘living symbols’ from his unique perspective
It’s our 150th anniversary, and we plan to celebrate all year long by bringing the Smithsonian home to you
Since its founding in 1967, the Anacostia Museum has grown from “storefront” concept to “neighborhood museum” to world renown
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Arthur Can Make a Machine That Waves Goodbye
MIT sculptor Arthur Ganson is on a roll, creating machines that whir and clack as they seem to take on a life of their own
A Giant Shrugs Off Vandalism, Poaching, Tales of Its Demise
The Sonoran Desert’s mighty saguaro cactus is the living embodiment of the Southwest, a ‘charismatic megaplant’ that people care about
The Deep-Sea Floor Rivals Rain Forests in Diversity of Life
Blue luminescence and marine snow define a world where millions of species of worms and other invertebrates live out their lives
In the center of Saigon, streets glow with signs of new prosperity and trails of light from passing vehicles
Urban New Agers Have Taken Over the Art of Dowsing
Once just a way to find water, this rural practice is now used to test both food and dinner partners can you believe it?
Itchiku Kubota’s Fascination With an Ancient Textile Art
The Japanese master has devoted his life to reviving a long-lost technique of fabric design and to creating handcrafted kimonos of lasting beauty
Without Garlic, Life Would Be Just Plain Tasteless
Sliced or chopped, sauteed or roasted, this bold little bulb has Americans clamoring for cloves to add sizzle to supper or to cure what ails us
The Aria Never Ends in the Opera That’s Casa Verdi
Retired singers, musicians and conductors find a home in Milan, Italy, where a zest for music works like a fountain of youth
The Strange and Inscrutable Case of Ezra Pound
The expatriate American poet returned home in ignominy, and the postwar world watched as a literary giant was charged with treason
Alan Fern, director of the National Portrait Gallery, offers his insights on the art of reading a portrait
How the Great War on War Surplus Got Won or Lost
Getting rid of $34 billion worth of old ships, planes and guns, not to mention seven million tubes of toothpaste, was no picnic
Some reflections on the first year in office and a look at the likely changes and challenges facing us
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