The world is more interesting than you think.
Unexpected facts, big ideas, and little discoveries. Find something that sparks your curiosity today.
A little more wonder
E.T. may belong in the Star Wars universe
Lucas added a group of E.T.’s alien species, the Asogians, to the Galactic Senate scene in The Phantom Menace as a nod to Spielberg, who had included Yoda in…
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Deep-fried butter is really a disappearing filling
A coating of batter surrounds the butter before it goes into hot oil. Inside, the butter melts into the surrounding dough rather than staying a solid lump.…
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Fire signs rely on adrenaline instead of adequate sleep
Astrological descriptions cast fire signs as thrill-seekers who push past fatigue, sometimes collapsing before they’re ready for another adventure.
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Digital spaces frequently render avatars without any legs
Some virtual worlds omit avatars' legs, leaving them floating from the waist down; accurately rendering foot positions can be difficult.
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Linguistics confirm E is the most frequently typed character
E shows up so often because it appears in many everyday English words; in common English text, it makes up more than 11% of the characters. Change what you…
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Why dice cups are ridged inside
Ridges make the dice tumble instead of sliding along a smooth wall, making a controlled roll harder.
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Television schedule becoming top reading
TV Guide became a dominant print publication in America by telling readers what time their favorite shows aired.
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Gated biological tunnels for charged atoms
A cell’s membrane is a wall with protein gates: a signal opens a tiny tunnel, and charged atoms flow through it. The cell gets a bouncer that checks…
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Turkeys can blush when they get excited
A turkey’s head can change color as blood flow shifts through its fleshy snood and wattle. Those tissues may turn red, blue, or pale as the bird’s physical…
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Ancient Egyptians put miniature bakeries in tombs
These weren’t toys for the living: Egyptians placed models of bakers and brewers in tombs because they believed magic would make them provide food for the…
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Perfect checkers ends in a draw
In 2007, the team behind Chinook proved that neither player can force a win from the standard starting position if both play perfectly. They combined search…
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The PS4 added a button just for sharing
It gave players a dedicated button for capturing moments and sharing them, building social broadcasting into the console's hardware.
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The plate can change how large a portion looks
The same amount of food appears different against a wide empty rim than against a small one. Your visual system judges the serving relative to its…
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Cruise ships began as floating mail services
Luxury ocean travel grew out of mail-delivery voyages that also let wealthy passengers come along for the ride.
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Why Animal Crossing characters sound like gibberish
The developers recorded individual syllables and had a computer string them together at high speed, rather than recording hundreds of hours of dialogue. The…
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Michelin helped drivers find places worth driving to
Alongside tires, the company produced guides with practical travel information and launched road maps in 1910. Making motoring easier supported the activity…
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In blackjack, another eight can turn fourteen into a loss
The challenge is not just adding the cards: it is deciding whether to risk another one before you know its value. A total of 14 leaves little room below 21,…
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Why one bad jar can cause botulism
A sealed jar creates the oxygen-free conditions botulism-causing bacteria can thrive in, and low-acid vegetables do not provide enough acidity to stop them.…
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Newton and Hooke's bitter fight over gravity
Hooke accused Newton of taking his work on gravity, and Newton’s hostility helped push Hooke’s contributions into obscurity. A scientific dispute over credit…
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Seattle roads are notoriously steep and heavily slick
Frequent rain and mist can make parallel parking on Seattle’s steep streets a careful test of whether your parking brake holds.
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Authentic Hasidic fur hats cost five thousand dollars
Made from sable or fox fur, each hat can cost a young groom $5,000, supporting a specialized hat-making trade.
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Customers eagerly overpay just for fleeting memories
People may pay a premium for a brief event because the purchase is really about being there. The atmosphere and escape are part of what they’re buying.
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Bavarian Illuminati members were just a group of nerdy Enlightenment thinkers wanting a secular state
Founded in 1776, the secret society promoted rational thought and separation of church and state. Bavaria’s monarchy banned it, helping fuel its later…
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Failing to raise the dead on a live broadcast
A televangelist tried to stage a resurrection during a live segment, with thousands of viewers watching the attempt fail.
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