How Einstein Became a Celebrity
His theory of general relativity was well known in the U.S., but his 1921 visit caused a sensation.
How American Women First Learned Self-Defense
Jiu-jitsu, judo, boxing, and wrestling raised eyebrows. But physical strength and political empowerment went hand in hand.
Girls and Dolls in the Roman Empire
Analyzing the dolls of elite girls shows that playthings reinforced gendered expectations but also allowed for imaginative play.
How Kitchen Table Press Changed Publishing
Founded by and for women of color, the press issued such revolutionary works as This Bridge Called My Back.
Why Do Boy Scouts Shoot Rifles?
It wasn't a big focus at the beginning of the scouting movement. So what changed?
Where Drug Trafficking and Climate Change Collide
With mounting pressure from cartels and worsening environmental conditions, Mexico’s Indigenous Rarámuri communities face a fraught future.
The Rise and Fall of the Jet Pack
Well, mostly the fall.
The Women of Pop
In addition to bringing attention to overlooked artists, one scholar argues that art criticism has contributed to their obscurity.
The Mathematical Pranksters behind Nicolas Bourbaki
Bourbaki was gnomic and mythical, impossible to pin down; his mathematics just the opposite: unified, unambiguous, free of human idiosyncrasy.
How Octavia E. Butler Became a Legend
The early inspiration and experiences that shaped the visionary science fiction storyteller.