What Ants Can Teach Us About Mass Transportation
A UCLA study finds that humans might be able to find some transportation inspiration from another creature that moves around in large numbers: the ant.
Lewis Howard Latimer, The Black Inventor Who Helped Make The Modern World Modern
Today in 1848, the birthday of Lewis Howard Latimer, an inventor whose work helped make the world what it is today.
If You’re Trying To Visit All 50 States, North Dakota Wants You To Save The “Best For Last”
Some of us plan our trips so we can visit all 50 states. If you’re one of these travelers, the state of North Dakota has a club just for you.
In India, Telegrams Were Still Around Until 2013
Today in 2013, the last traditional telegram message went out, decades after telephones and smartphones and text messages and so on. So why were there still telegrams here in the 21st Century?
Some People Didn’t Think The Earliest Air Conditioners Were Very Cool
Summer heat can leave a lot of us heading inside and cranking up the air conditioner. And yet, if you look at the history of this invention, you’ll find quite a few times where people said, are we sure this is a good idea?
The Dog That Climbed All Of New Hampshire’s 4,000 Foot Mountains
Today in 1788, New Hampshire became the ninth state to ratify the Constitution. A dog there once climbed all 48 of the state’s 4,000 foot high mountains.
This Doll From The 18th Century May Be One Of The First Computers
World Doll Day is tomorrow. And while the world has lots of amazing and well-loved dolls, there aren’t many like the 18th Century automata known as The Writer.
How Suitcases With Wheels Helped Travelers Get On A Roll
Inventors put wheels on suitcases and made it so much easier for travelers to get their bags through airports and terminals and lobbies. So why was there so much resistance to rolling luggage when it first went up for sale?
There’s A Lunchbox Museum In Columbus, Georgia
Last week was school spring break where I live, so today all the families are back to packing backpacks, putting homework in folders and packing lunches. Maybe next spring break we should head to Columbus, Georgia to visit the Lunchbox Museum.
For Self-Help Robots, Looks Matter
The University of Cambridge did a study about robotic wellbeing coaches. And it turns out that if we want robots to help us help ourselves… they need to be cute.