In 1938, a German-Jewish businessman, Benno Thorsch, traded his camera factory in Dresden for a new life in Detroit and, later, Los Angeles. With the rise of the Third Reich, it was a move that almost certainly saved his family’s life from the Nazis. And as a young boy, Steven Spielberg would even visit the camera shop in Studio City, California.

L.A. Welcomes a Camera Maker Fleeing Nazis (1:37)

The Orkneys, an archipelago of islands off the northern coast of Scotland, are home to some of the greatest neolithic treasures in western Europe: from the settlement of Skara Brae to the Ness of Brodgar.

Scotland's Most Mysterious Stone Age Settlements (2:11)

In 1619, George Yeardley, the newly appointed governor of Jamestown, made history: He convened 22 elected members of a burgeoning commonwealth, creating the first democratic assembly in America.

Was a Jamestown Governor the Father of U.S. Democracy? (1:57)

Humans are the dominant species on the planet—and sometimes, that puts a strain on other animals. But the way coyotes have adapted to urban living is giving scientists hope that co-existence is possible.

Chicago's Urban Coyotes Are Fascinating Scientists (2:01)

The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor was spearheaded by one of the most dominant fighter planes in the Pacific: the ultra-light, extremely maneuverable Mitsubishi A6M "Zero."

This Japanese Fighter Plane Led the Attack on Pearl Harbor (3:07)

The space suits used by the astronauts on Gemini 7, known as grasshopper suits, were designed for comfort. But after two weeks inside them, that was the last thing on the crew’s minds.

There's a Limit to the Comfort Level of NASA Space Suits (3:32)

The Orkneys, an archipelago of islands off the northern coast of Scotland, are home to some of the greatest neolithic treasures in western Europe: from the settlement of Skara Brae to the Ness of Brodgar.

Scotland's Most Mysterious Stone Age Settlements (2:11)

Pyramids were supposed to be royal burial sites, crammed with unimaginable treasures. And yet they were built to be as conspicuous as possible, attracting the attention of grave robbers.

Why Pyramids Were Effective Advertisements for Tomb Robbers (2:48)

In the late '80s, infamous drug kingpin Pablo Escobar illegally imported a group of hippos for his personal zoo. Today, these hippos are wreaking havoc and are protected by the government.

Pablo Escobar's Hippos Have Created an Ecological Crisis in Colombia (1:09)

In 1938, a German-Jewish businessman, Benno Thorsch, traded his camera factory in Dresden for a new life in Detroit and, later, Los Angeles. With the rise of the Third Reich, it was a move that almost certainly saved his family’s life from the Nazis. And as a young boy, Steven Spielberg would even visit the camera shop in Studio City, California.

L.A. Welcomes a Camera Maker Fleeing Nazis (1:37)

The water torture cell escape was arguably Houdini’s most memorable stunt. So much so that many people wrongly assume it killed him–a myth invented by the 1953 movie about his life starring Tony Curtis.

This Dangerous Trick Wowed Houdini’s Fans (3:49)

To soar over Stratford-upon-Avon in Warwickshire is to be transported back in time to the age of William Shakespeare, a man born in humble circumstances who would go on to become the most celebrated writer of all time.

Stratford-upon-Avon Is a Magnet for Shakespeare Lovers (2:37)

In 1938, a German-Jewish businessman, Benno Thorsch, traded his camera factory in Dresden for a new life in Detroit and, later, Los Angeles. With the rise of the Third Reich, it was a move that almost certainly saved his family’s life from the Nazis. And as a young boy, Steven Spielberg would even visit the camera shop in Studio City, California.

L.A. Welcomes a Camera Maker Fleeing Nazis (1:37)

The Orkneys, an archipelago of islands off the northern coast of Scotland, are home to some of the greatest neolithic treasures in western Europe: from the settlement of Skara Brae to the Ness of Brodgar.

Scotland's Most Mysterious Stone Age Settlements (2:11)

In 1619, George Yeardley, the newly appointed governor of Jamestown, made history: He convened 22 elected members of a burgeoning commonwealth, creating the first democratic assembly in America.

Was a Jamestown Governor the Father of U.S. Democracy? (1:57)

Humans are the dominant species on the planet—and sometimes, that puts a strain on other animals. But the way coyotes have adapted to urban living is giving scientists hope that co-existence is possible.

Chicago's Urban Coyotes Are Fascinating Scientists (2:01)

A team of vets working to capture a group of orangutans living along the banks of the Rungan River, are waylaid by the leader of the group—an aggressive male, named Kasper.

This Aggressive Male Orangutan Refuses to Be Sedated (3:46)

An outsider male macaque has issued a direct challenge to the leader of a toque macaque clan. If he wins, he'll become the new alpha and could decide to murder his ousted rival's offspring.

A Rival Male Challenges the Alpha for Macaque Supremacy (3:42)

Gasp! The answer will amaze you.

Ask Smithsonian: How Long Can a Person Hold Their Breath? (1:32)

The science of earwax in under a minute

Ask Smithsonian: What's the Point of Earwax? (1:05)

Mans best friend is also one of his oldest.

Ask Smithsonian: When Did People Start Keeping Pets? (1:05)

Lil Nas X explains the origins of his diamond-certified crossover hit, ‘Old Town Road.' Video by Adam Grossman | Good Dog Media

Smithsonian American Ingenuity Awards 2019: Lil Nas X (3:04)

Medical researchers Ewelina Mamcarz and Stephen Gottschalk detail the science behind the gene therapy they invented to help children with “bubble boy disease,” or severe combined immunodeficiency. Video by Adam Grossman | Good Dog Media

Smithsonian American Ingenuity Awards 2019: Ewelina Mamcarz and Stephen Gottschalk (3:32)

“In our world, nothing really is impossible. Everything at best is improbable,” says Alex Kipman, as he discusses the holographic, augmented reality technology his team at Microsoft is pioneering. Video by Adam Grossman | Good Dog Media

Smithsonian American Ingenuity Awards 2019: Alex Kipman (2:45)

Climb into the guts of a hovercraft, as a team of salvage experts, led by a former NASA engineer, disassemble and cut through this iconic and unique vehicle.

Take a Look Inside One of the Most Unusual Vehicles Ever (2:43)

Marc Goodman has spent a career in law enforcement and technology. He has served as a street police officer, senior adviser to Interpol and futurist-in-residence with the FBI. As the founder of the Future Crimes Institute and the Chair for Policy, Law, and Ethics at Silicon Valleys Singularity University, he continues to investigate the intriguing and often terrifying intersection of science and security, uncovering nascent threats and combating the darker sides of technology

DO NOT PUBLISH Future Is Here Festival 2015: Marc Goodman, Chair for Policy and Law at Singularity University (17:19)

Greg Henderson is the founder, CEO and chief visionary for Arx Pax. Greg began his career in the military as an Airborne Ranger, serving with the 101st Airborne and 7th Infantry. He graduated from West Point with a B.S in Engineering, and received a Master of Architecture degree from Berkeley. That said, what Greg succinctly envisioned with Arx Pax was a new way to employ an unexploited technology in applications that others did not see. He labeled this epiphany: Magnetic Field Architecture (MFA). Its a big dream on a one-of-a-kind technology that will change the way the world works, plays, builds and lives. All of us here at Arx Pax (and HENDO) passionately believe in its possibility, its potentialand its promise. Which is why the team Greg and Jill have assembled at Arx Pax matters so much

DO NOT PUBLISH Future Is Here Festival 2015: Greg Henderson, Hendo Hoverboard Co-Founder (11:03)