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First Pet Socks poses in the White House Press Room in 1993.

The First Pet Position in the Trump White House Will Remain Open—for Meow

Animals have served as companions and ambassadors for presidents dating back to George Washington

This iRobot 780 was one of the early Roomba models that randomly moved about the room. But the company's latest models (900 series) uses cameras and software to collect data and map out your home.

Trending Today

Roomba Wants to Sell Maps of Your Home

Data from these robovacs could assist in the development of other ‘smart home’ devices

The dead letter office circa 1922. The contents of unresolvable dead letters and packages are periodically sold off by the USPS.

A Brief History of American Dead Letter Offices

The United States postal system was established on this day in 1775, and mail started going “dead” very soon after

A drinking fountain next to St. Peter's square after the Vatican began shutting down its fountains due to Italy's drought.

Vatican Shuts Off Its Historic Fountains in Midst of Scorching Drought

It is the first time that authorities can remember being forced to take such a step

Angelenos wearing smog masks at a banquet, circa 1954.

This 1943 “Hellish Cloud” Was the Most Vivid Warning of LA’s Smog Problems to Come

Southern California–and LA in particular–continue to struggle with smog

Jung's interest in the subconscious was a driving force in his work.

Five Fascinating Facts About Carl Jung

He thought he was two people (sort of) and more things you didn’t know about the pioneering psychologist

Different collectors have different tastes. Practicing a variety of styles helps users find success.

Trending Today

New Video Game Parodies What it Means to Be an Art World Star

On Passpartout: The Starving Artist, you do everything from virtually impress collectors to dine on wine and baguettes

Kyara swimming next to her mother, Takara. At the time of her death, Kyara was just three months old.

Trending Today

Last Orca Born at SeaWorld Dies

The three-month-old creature succumbed to a case of pneumonia, according to the park

The degenerative disease, chronic traumatic encephalopathy or CTE, is common in football players, boxers, veterans and others exposed to head trauma.

New Research

Disease Found in 99 Percent of Brains Donated by NFL Families

The degenerative brain disease develops after repeated concussions or blows to the head

Trending Today

Meaty Secrets Behind the Record-Setting, 1,774-Pound Burger

The beefy behemoth was recently bestowed the title of world’s largest commercially available burger

Henry Ford and Mohandas Gandhi exchanged tokens of mutual admiration during World War II.

The Unlikely Bromance Between Henry Ford and Mohandas Gandhi

Both men had complicated ideologies but bonded over pacifism

Underwater Robot Spots Possible Melted Nuclear Fuel in Fukushima Reactor

Identifying the location of the fuel is a vital step in the decontamination process

Facing an Uncertain Future, a Jane Austen Landmark Seeks the Public’s Help

Chawton House, which was once owned by Austen’s brother, has launched a crowdfunding campaign after losing the support of its main beneficiary

Stubbs poses on a car in a 2006 photo.

Small Alaska Town Mourns Loss of Stubbs the Cat, Beloved Honorary Mayor

Stubbs reigned with a light paw and a loyal following

Microsoft Paint has been used to draw or alter art both simple and complex, such as this photo of a tree

After Fans Rallied Around App, Windows Announces It Will Save Microsoft Paint

The classic Windows program responsible for so many wobbly works is getting a new home in the Windows Store

The fairground ride parallels a medieval training game for mounted fighters.

The Dizzy History of Carousels Begins With Knights

Practice makes perfect–but nobody said it couldn’t be fun

Colors on this satellite image show areas where water was detected in ancient pyroclastic flows on the Moon's surface

New Research

Water May Lurk Beneath the Moon’s Surface

The surprising abundance of water could help future lunar settlers survive in the barren landscape

Cool Finds

World’s Oldest Smiley Face May Decorate a Hittite Jug

Researchers did not notice the cheery, 3,700-year-old expression until they restored the ceramic

Snooty, World’s Oldest Captive Manatee, Dies in Accident

The 69-year-old sea cow was the mascot for the South Florida Museum

Forgotten Warhol Silkscreen Found in Alice Cooper’s Storage Locker

The shock rocker acquired and then forgot about the work amid a “swirl of drugs and drinking”

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