History of Science
Science Still Bears the Fingerprints of Colonialism
Western science long relied on the knowledge and exploitation of colonized peoples. In many ways, it still does
How Advertising Shaped the First Opioid Epidemic
And what it can teach us about the second
The Rockstar Geologist Who Mapped the Minerals of the Cosmos
A professor told Ursula Marvin she should learn to cook. Instead she chased down meteorites in Antarctica
The History of Breeding Mice for Science Begins With a Woman in a Barn
Far more than a mouse fancier, Abbie Lathrop helped establish the standard mouse model and pioneered research into cancer inheritance
Sometimes, a Scientific “Eureka!” Moment Really Does Change the World
Your plastic credit card, microwaveable popcorn and erection enhancers all owe to a fortuitous moment of connection
Women Who Shaped Science
Smithsonian.com is sharing the stories of women scientists who also changed the world, but were written out of history.
How Does Foucault's Pendulum Prove the Earth Rotates?
This elegant scientific demonstration has been delighting everyday people for nearly 200 years
In Stellar Tribute, Astronauts Teach "Lost Lessons" From Educator Who Died on <em>Challenger</em>
Christa McAuliffe had planned to teach the lessons during her 1986 trip to space. Now, two astronauts will finally carry out the plan
The Woman Who Transformed How We Teach Geography
By blending education and activism, Zonia Baber made geography a means of uniting—not conquering—the globe
How the Presidency Took Control of America's Nuclear Arsenal
From Truman onwards, the ability to order a nuclear strike has shaped the office
When a Medical “Cure” Makes Things Much, Much Worse
In 1960s Japan, a bizarre outbreak of hairy green tongues failed to set off alarms around the world
This American Doctor Pioneered Abdominal Surgery by Operating on Enslaved Women
Glorified with a statue in the U.S. Capitol, Ephraim McDowell is a hero in Kentucky, but the full story needs to be told
Thank(?) Joseph Shivers For Spandex
From Spanx to space suits, spandex has shaped modern garments
Three Medical Breakthroughs That Can Be Traced Back to a Tragic Nightclub Fire
Four hundred ninety-two people died as a result of the horrifying fire, an unprecedented death toll that led physicians to make unprecedented innovations
When Carl Sagan Warned the World About Nuclear Winter
Before the official report came out, the popular scientist took to the presses to paint a dire picture of what nuclear war might look like
Three Things to Know About Benjamin Banneker's Pioneering Career
Banneker was a successful almanac-maker and self-taught student of mathematics and astronomy
Hermann Rorschach’s Artistic Obsession Led to His Famous Test
Rorschach's high school nickname was "Kleck," which means "inkblot" in German
These Two Small Letters Heralded the Beginning of Online Communication
Their message is far more profound in retrospect than it was at the time
How Nicholas Culpeper Brought Medicine to the People
His 17th-century text is still in print today
How a 1604 Supernova Presented a Challenge to Astronomers
The supernova provided proof to Galileo, Kepler and others that the heavens were not fixed–although they were wrong about what caused the bright star
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