Mental Hospitals at the Movies
The horror films of the 1970s captured a cultural shift from fears of institutional abuse to anxieties about psychiatric patients living freely.
How Big Oil Shaped America’s Parks
John D. Rockefeller Jr. wanted Americans to experience nature from their cars. His vision helped transform conservation.
Teaching Students to See What They Miss
A classroom exercise in slow looking uses art to sharpen observation skills and encourage more attentive listening.
The Art of the Thousand Bloom Chrysanthemum
How do horticulturists coax more than 1,000 flowers from a single plant? The answer lies in a centuries-old Japanese tradition.
Ghosts, Witches, and Other Halloween Stories
A spine-tingling roundup of historical mysteries, supernatural folklore, and the strange things that have frightened us for centuries.
The Forgotten Stories Behind Presidential Campaign Buttons
The race for the White House has always inspired unusual publicity stunts. A vast collection shows just how strange they could get.
Frankenstein, The Vampyre, and the Spirit of the Humanities
How one ghost story competition continues to haunt the humanities—just in time for Halloween.
Why Washing Machines Took Decades to Catch On
Early electric laundry appliances promised to make housework easier. But convincing American households to buy them was another matter.
The Women Breaking the Rules of Balinese Dance
Middle-aged performers are taking on roles once reserved for men, challenging expectations about age and gender in Bali.
Ten Poems about Sleep and Dreaming
Visions of the unconscious by Emily Dickinson, Louise Glück, Lucille Clifton, Carl Phillips, and more.