Articles
Explore our collection of articles covering a wide range of topics.
Why do some orchids deceive male wasps into trying to mate with them?
It’s a botanical con of the highest order: an orchid that looks, feels, and even smells so much like a female wasp that lovesick males will try to mate with it, becoming unwitting pollen couriers in the process.
Why are many airplane windows oval instead of square?
That smooth curve on your airplane window is more than just a design choice—it's the crucial feature preventing the entire aircraft from cracking apart under the immense pressure of flight.
Why can you start a fire using a clear bag of water or a piece of ice?
It defies intuition, but the very elements that extinguish a flame can be harnessed to create one—discover the simple physics that turns ice and water into a powerful, fire-starting tool.
Why do some cheeses contain live, jumping insect larvae?
What if the secret ingredient to a prized, gourmet cheese was thousands of live, jumping insect larvae? Uncover the bizarre and stomach-churning tradition behind this controversial delicacy.
Why did people in the 18th century wear massive powdered wigs?
More than a mere status symbol, these towering hairdos were a surprisingly practical solution to rampant syphilis, persistent head lice, and the overwhelming stench of the 18th century.
Why do people in old photographs rarely ever seem to smile?
It wasn't that our ancestors were an unhappy bunch; the truth is that smiling for a photograph was once a technical impossibility and a bizarre social taboo.