From the very beginning, prohibition was set up to fail. With only 1,500 agents charged with stopping the flow of alcohol into the U.S., most people continued drinking as they had done before.

Why Prohibition Was Set Up to Fail Right From the Start (1:55)

In 2003, the reverend Gene Robinson became the first openly gay bishop of the Episcopal Church. What followed was a campaign of death threats and intimidation that would test him to the core.

This Man Became the First Openly Gay Bishop in America (4:05)

Elephants have the longest gestation period of all mammals: 22 months. In addition, elephant mothers have remarkably strong bonds with their calves that endure for life.

Why Elephant Moms Always Stay Close to Their Calves (1:48)

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)

The Karez is a modern-day engineering marvel and a prime example of people working with, not against, the forces of nature to deliver their needs—in this case, water.

This Ingenious System Brings Water to the Chinese Desert (3:25)

While the science behind the high bypass ratio engine in a 747 plane may seem complicated, the results are striking. It's capable of delivering over 70 percent more power than a standard engine.

Admiring the Power and Innovation of a 747 Engine (2:46)

In the shallow waters of Palau, remarkably well-preserved shipwrecks like the Iro Maru provide an ideal breeding ground for coral to thrive—and a major draw for divers.

These Palau Shipwrecks Are Ideal Underwater Homes For Coral (2:07)

By 1925, a sprawling rail network had sprung into place, and more Americans could now head west to sightsee—and with five new national parks added to the roster of public lands, they had the perfect destination.

How Trains Gave Americans a Path to National Parks (1:33)

Just a few miles from Ben Nevis mountain is the start of one of the most breathtaking train journeys in the world—so spectacular, in fact, that it was adapted by the Harry Potter movies as the Hogwarts Express.

This Magical Train Ride Was Used in a Harry Potter Film (2:05)

In 2003, the reverend Gene Robinson became the first openly gay bishop of the Episcopal Church. What followed was a campaign of death threats and intimidation that would test him to the core.

This Man Became the First Openly Gay Bishop in America (4:05)

We have this image of Queen Victoria as a highly proper, disciplined monarch. But the Queen was also someone who liked to get high, from opium tinctures to chewing gum laced with cocaine.

Did This Beloved Queen of Britain Use Drugs? (2:12)

Just a few miles from Ben Nevis mountain is the start of one of the most breathtaking train journeys in the world—so spectacular, in fact, that it was adapted by the Harry Potter movies as the Hogwarts Express.

This Magical Train Ride Was Used in a Harry Potter Film (2:05)

From the very beginning, prohibition was set up to fail. With only 1,500 agents charged with stopping the flow of alcohol into the U.S., most people continued drinking as they had done before.

Why Prohibition Was Set Up to Fail Right From the Start (1:55)

In 2003, the reverend Gene Robinson became the first openly gay bishop of the Episcopal Church. What followed was a campaign of death threats and intimidation that would test him to the core.

This Man Became the First Openly Gay Bishop in America (4:05)

It may sound like an auspicious title, but the ‘groom of the stool’ was anything but. Simply put, it was a role that entailed monitoring and assisting with Henry VIII’s bowel movements.

This Unpleasant Royal Job Came With a Fancy Title (1:59)

Elephants have the longest gestation period of all mammals: 22 months. In addition, elephant mothers have remarkably strong bonds with their calves that endure for life.

Why Elephant Moms Always Stay Close to Their Calves (1:48)

The first class of NASA astronauts, dubbed the ‘Mercury 7,’ were put through a series of rigorous tests to prepare them for space, from heat chambers to to simulated weightlessness.

The Training Regimen of NASA's First Astronauts (3:07)

Baby hedgehogs, known as hoglets, are born blind and completely reliant on their mothers. Even their famed spines start out soft and hair-like, taking a couple of weeks to harden.

Baby Hedgehog Quills Don’t Harden Right Away (0:06)

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)

The principal investigator for NASA’s Juno spacecraft talks with the founder of Uncharted Power about the pursuit of technology that could allow everyone affordable access to clean electricity

The Long Conversation 2018: Scott Bolton Interviews Jessica Matthews (11:03)

The 12-year-old activist talks with the award-winning actress about how an increasingly diverse body of storytellers sharing their experiences is breaking down artificial barriers

The Long Conversation 2018: Naomi Wadler Interviews Alfre Woodard (12:02)

The technologist talks with the inventor about humankind’s amazing capacity to solve problems

The Long Conversation 2018: Obi Felten Interviews Danny Hillis (10:57)

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)

Nicole Austin is a Master Blender, Engineer and Distiller in the growing US craft spirits industry, the newly elected President of the New York State Distillers Guild, and is a seasoned imbiber of spirits.

Aqua Vitae or Hooch? The Secrets of Great Whiskey (19:39)

Molly Wright Steenson is an Assistant Professor in the School of Journalism & MassCommunication at UW-Madison. Pneumatic tubes have made her Internet famous.

Pneumatic Tube Systems, Particularly in Paris: It Really Is a System of Tubes (20:47)