History
Discover facts about history. Small discoveries that change the way you see familiar things.
History
Pointy hats, brooms, and cauldrons define the modern witch aesthetic, but they originally belonged to what profession?
Pointy hats, brooms, and cauldrons define the modern witch aesthetic, but they originally belonged to what profession?
Discover more
In the 13th century, Pope Gregory IX accidentally caused a massive spike in European plague deaths by declaring what?
In the 13th century, Pope Gregory IX accidentally caused a massive spike in European plague deaths by declaring what?
Discover more
Wireless "Bluetooth" tech is secretly named after a real 10th-century Scandinavian king famous for doing what?
Wireless "Bluetooth" tech is secretly named after a real 10th-century Scandinavian king famous for doing what?
Discover more
In the early 1900s, people enthusiastically drank water infused with radioactive radium for what false reason?
In the early 1900s, people enthusiastically drank water infused with radioactive radium for what false reason?
Discover more
During the strict US Prohibition era, how did Winston Churchill legally manage to drink massive amounts of alcohol?
During the strict US Prohibition era, how did Winston Churchill legally manage to drink massive amounts of alcohol?
Discover more
During the tragic sinking of the Titanic, what shocking privilege was secretly given to a few wealthy passengers?
During the tragic sinking of the Titanic, what shocking privilege was secretly given to a few wealthy passengers?
Discover more
STACKY FOR IPHONEA bigger world.
One discovery
at a time.
Keep discovering with Stacky. Interesting facts in an app that is always within reach.
Which everyday personal care product was originally invented as a cheap battlefield bandage during World War I?
Which everyday personal care product was originally invented as a cheap battlefield bandage during World War I?
Discover more
How did the brutal conquests of Genghis Khan unintentionally cause a massive, measurable shift in global climate?
How did the brutal conquests of Genghis Khan unintentionally cause a massive, measurable shift in global climate?
Discover more
Why did ancient Romans actually leave jugs out on the street for pedestrians to pee in?
Why did ancient Romans actually leave jugs out on the street for pedestrians to pee in?
Discover more
Despite what movies show, what was the actual historical purpose of the infamous medieval chastity belt?
Despite what movies show, what was the actual historical purpose of the infamous medieval chastity belt?
Discover more
The famous 1957 experiment claiming that flashing hidden messages in movies increased sales turned out to be what?
The famous 1957 experiment claiming that flashing hidden messages in movies increased sales turned out to be what?
Discover more
What surprisingly toxic ingredient made Victorian dresses so green it literally killed the women wearing them?
What surprisingly toxic ingredient made Victorian dresses so green it literally killed the women wearing them?
Discover more
How did ancient Egyptian women accurately test if they were pregnant over 3,000 years before modern medicine?
How did ancient Egyptian women accurately test if they were pregnant over 3,000 years before modern medicine?
Discover more
Why did thousands of Americans mysteriously die from drinking legally purchased alcohol during Prohibition?
Why did thousands of Americans mysteriously die from drinking legally purchased alcohol during Prohibition?
Discover more
What shocking physical requirement was enforced for all athletes competing in the original Ancient Greek Olympics?
What shocking physical requirement was enforced for all athletes competing in the original Ancient Greek Olympics?
Discover more
Why did officials have to physically remove President Andrew Jackson’s beloved pet parrot from his funeral service?
Why did officials have to physically remove President Andrew Jackson’s beloved pet parrot from his funeral service?
Discover more
What deeply disturbing secret ingredient did famous European painters use to achieve the perfect shade of rich brown?
What deeply disturbing secret ingredient did famous European painters use to achieve the perfect shade of rich brown?
Discover more
In 1952, the iconic physicist Albert Einstein was formally offered an unbelievable career change, which he politely turned down.
In 1952, the iconic physicist Albert Einstein was formally offered an unbelievable career change, which he politely turned down.
Discover more
From 1912 to 1948, you didn't have to be a supreme athlete to win an Olympic Gold Medal. What else could you compete in?
From 1912 to 1948, you didn't have to be a supreme athlete to win an Olympic Gold Medal. What else could you compete in?
Discover more
The CIA blew millions on a Cold War project called Acoustic Kitty, which involved implanting what into live cats?
The CIA blew millions on a Cold War project called Acoustic Kitty, which involved implanting what into live cats?
Discover more
It sounds like a movie plot hole, but Abraham Lincoln officially created the U.S. Secret Service on what exact day?
It sounds like a movie plot hole, but Abraham Lincoln officially created the U.S. Secret Service on what exact day?
Discover more
Which modern event happened closer in time to the life of Cleopatra than the building of the Great Pyramid?
Which modern event happened closer in time to the life of Cleopatra than the building of the Great Pyramid?
Discover more
The shortest recorded war in human history happened in 1896 between Britain and Zanzibar. How long did the conflict last?
The shortest recorded war in human history happened in 1896 between Britain and Zanzibar. How long did the conflict last?
Discover more
What was the horrifying original medical purpose of the first chainsaw in the 1780s?
What was the horrifying original medical purpose of the first chainsaw in the 1780s?
Discover more