From the Smithsonian Channel / Video
Can You Learn the Steps to This 18th-Century Dance?
Julie Montagu, the American-born Viscountess Hinchingbrooke, is meeting up with an expert on 18th century dance. Her aim is to learn about the dances performed in that era.
How Henry Ford Found the Right Tires for Model T Cars
Henry Ford was a genius who virtually created the automobile industry as we know it. But what’s less lauded was his talent for publicity—and his ability to partner with other …
The Weird Thrills That Americans Pursued in the 1920s
In the 1920s, the U.S. was in full thrill-seeking mode. From horse-diving (you have to see it to believe it) to barnstorming. And at the center of many of these …
How Henry Ford Went From Pacifist to Major Supplier of WWI
Henry Ford spent the majority of the war as a pacifist. By 1917, however, his state-of-the-art assembly line was churning out vital engine parts to feed the war machine.
Women Proved to Be Exceptional Pilots During WWII
With millions of men serving in WWII, the nation needed pilots to ferry planes from the factory to the air bases. That’s when Jackie Cochran proposed a novel idea: why …
This Pendant Is Britain’s Oldest Piece of Iron Age Art
A small pebble with ornate markings is Britain’s earliest piece of Mesolithic art—but what do the markings denote, and was it worn for cosmetic purposes or spiritual ones?
This 11,000-Year-Old Piece of Wood Is More Than It Seems
It looks like a fairly nondescript plank of wood, found in the fields of Star Carr. But from an archaeological perspective, it’s far more significant: It’s the oldest piece of …
Was This Cave an Ancient Lab for Preserving Human Bodies?
A series of remarkably well-preserved human remains in a remote cave in Scotland has archaeologists grappling with a staggering question: were these bodies brought here during the Bronze Age to …
Boston and New York Competed for America’s First Subway
In March 1895, Boston and New York City began an epic and highly competitive race to become the first American city with a working subway system.
This Man Was Tried in Tennessee for Teaching Evolution
In July 1925, a young science teacher named John Scopes was in court, accused of contravening the Butler Act—a Tennessee law that prohibited the teaching of evolution in schools.
Scientists Didn’t Know Much About Earthquakes Before 1933
On March 10, 1933, a major earthquake caught the Los Angeles area by surprise. The devastation was of sufficient scale to spur scientific interest in earthquakes—and how to predict them.
How Idlewild Courted the Black Middle Class in the 1930s
By the 1930s, the black middle class had arrived, with the purchasing power to match. Sensing an opportunity, developers established Idlewild: a summer resort aimed exclusively at African-Americans.
Justice for Medgar Evers Comes 30 Years After His Murder
In 1963, civil rights leader Medgar Evers arrived home when he was shot and killed. It would be over 30 years before his killer was brought to justice.
A 600-Mile Journey Across Alaska Saves the Town of Nome
In 1925, an Alaskan adventurer and his trusted Siberian husky completed a grueling 600-mile journey across the frozen plains. Their exploits would end up saving the lives of 2,000 people.
The Invisible Enemy Wiping Out Entire Species of Frogs
To save a species from extinction, scientists scour the Panamanian jungle for the few remaining frogs. But will they be too late?
Did the Spanish Flu Impact America’s Ability to Fight in WWI?
By late September 1918, in a bid to contain the spread of the flu, the U.S. had made the decision to cancel the draft. It was too little, too late—in …
The Suffragette Who Was Killed by King George V’s Horse
In 1913, British Royalty would come in direct contact with a changing social order, thanks to a suffragette named Emily Davison. Her death at Epsom Falls would send shockwaves through …
This 1935 Florida Hurricane Had a Devastating Impact
On September 2, 1935, Florida was hit by the most intense hurricane ever recorded—a category 5. Despite early warnings by the weather authorities, a calamitous loss of life shocked the …
The Terrifying Physics of WWII Dive Bombing
The act of dive bombing during World War II was a death defying trial of skill and nerve. You aimed your plane down, four miles above the ocean and plummeted …
The Stunningly Clear Features on the Lindow Man Mummy
Lindow Man, believed to be a victim of human sacrifice, remains one of the best preserved ancient bodies in all of Europe. The level of detail on his face is …
A 500-Year-Old Cold Case in the Village of Wharram Percy
Human remains discovered at Wharram Percy are about to be examined by an expert, in a bid to determine what happened. Is it a medieval murder mystery—or something far more …
How a ‘Non-Hazardous’ NASA Mission Turned Deadly
In 1967, a horrific fire broke out during a routine pre-launch test for the Apollo 1 mission at Cape Kennedy, Florida. It would claim the lives of three NASA astronauts
This London Blacksmith Forges Replicas of Medieval Swords
A London blacksmith has perfected a technique known as pattern welding to create elaborately-designed replica Saxon swords and knives. He demonstrates his technique on camera
The Astonishing Spying Capabilities of This U.S. Satellite
The “Manned Orbiting Laboratory,” or “MOL,” was built to capture high-resolution images of Soviet targets on the ground. It was so advanced, it could pick up objects on earth as …
As part of Project Mercury, NASA prepared to send a chimpanzee, Ham, into space to test the effects of space on a living creature.
Evel Knievel’s Famous Snake River Canyon Jump
On September 8th, 1974, famous daredevil Evel Knievel climbed into a steam-powered rocket and attempted to blast across Idaho’s Snake River Canyon. From: AERIAL AMERICA: Idaho http://bit.ly/1wfmlbO
These Gentle Giants Would Rather Be Left Alone
Historically feared by humans, brown bears were once aggressively hunted in the contiguous U.S. Because of this, 95% of these majestic creatures live in Alaska.
Indiana’s Secret Parties and Perfect Popcorn
A large portion of Indiana’s economy relies on an invaluable crop: corn. Popcorn plants like Pop Weaver have perfected the production of our favorite movie snack down to a science.
Where the Nazis Hid $3.5 Billion of Stolen Art
In the spring of 1945, with the Third Reich crumbling, the Nazis hid their stolen art in a sealed salt mine. But when U.S. troops arrived, they found that the …
How a Room in New Jersey Gave Us the Film Industry
While Thomas Edison is best-known for inventing the lightbulb, it’s often forgotten that he also set up the world’s first movie studio, in Fort Lee, New Jersey
These Famous Names Came Out of Omaha
After his arrival in Omaha in 1892, Tom Dennison - nicknamed the “Grey Wolf” - controlled the city’s street’s for more than 30 years
Where The Fastest Cars in the World Come Together
Nearly 300,000 people gather every Memorial Day to witness the legendary Indianapolis 500, one of the greatest spectacles in U.S. racing
Page 2 of 3