In 1906, physician Richard Strong's already-unethical vaccine experiment went horribly wrong. Then it was swept under the rug.

The first edition of the beloved novel Charlie and the Chocolate Factory featured "pygmy" characters taken from Africa.

In the late nineteenth century, bachelor Santa got married. Unsurprisingly, Mrs. Claus contributed uncompensated labor to the Claus household.

Well-researched stories from Sapiens, Public Books, and other publications that bridge the gap between news and scholarship.

Splurges for that scholarly curmudgeon in your life who has a critique of capitalism but still likes to have nice things.

What was it like for Black American music lovers during the age of segregation to find a place they could call their own?

Philosopher John Gray on why he is critical of prevailing ideas of progress, his friendship with Isaiah Berlin, and the wisdom of cats.

Hardy athletes called pedestriennes wowed the sporting world of the nineteenth century. They also shocked guardians of propriety.

During the days of the British Empire, soup made from sea turtles was a delicacy. Now it's almost unheard of. What explains the change?

Communist Party officials saw potential in the new technology in the 1950s. So did ordinary people, but not always in the same way.