Jet Black Is Named For A Gemstone, Not Jet Planes
The “jet” in “jet black” refers to a gem. One that’s really, really black.
Kansas City’s Subtropolis Is A Huge Business Complex That’s 100 Feet Underground
There's a story you see online about how Ford stashed some surplus cars in an underground cave to preserve them until they could sell. We can't verify that entire story, but there is an underground business park in Kansas City that Ford has used for decades.
Snow Is White In Real Life; In Paintings It Can Be A Different Story
Snow gets its white color because of the way light and color work - but in paintings, artists use a few other tones to make their snowscapes look more realistic and more interesting.
Really, Really White Paint Can Act Like A Coat Of Air Conditioning On A Building
Scientists at Purdue University have a way to help keep us cool to the point that we might not even need air conditioning, and all it takes is a fresh coat of a special paint.
Fluorescents Just Got Even Brighter
Chemists at Indiana University and the University of Copenhagen have found a way to make the brightest fluorescent materials ever made.
The “Vantafish” Is A Fish That Absorbs Light
Vantablack is a color that's so black it absorbs almost all of the light nearby. There's new research out about a "vantafish" that does almost the same thing to avoid its hungry bioluminescent neighbors.
The Race To Keep Day-Glo Paints Glo-ing
Paintings made with Day Glo paint - some by well-known and influential artists - are losing their glow over time. Conservationists don't yet know how to solve this puzzle, but we do at least know how Day Glo got started.