Male tennis player lying on ground

Failure Has Always Been a Key to Success

Failure is in fashion, but this isn't some new passing trend. How universities and the medical profession have embraced the idea of "failing better."
Jimmy Hoffa

When Jimmy Hoffa Vanished, He Took Union Strength With Him

The July 30, 1975, disappearance of labor leader Jimmy Hoffa sparked public fascination because he was an important cog in the nation's economy.
French bread

Pioneers Were America’s Original Artisanal Bakers

Why were cowboys and pioneers so obsessed with their baked goods? A look at the birth of sourdough culture (har har) in the United States.
Earthworm in soil

Maybe Earthworms Aren’t So Great For Soil After All

Earthworms are often portrayed as beneficial to the environment, but in North America's temperate forests, they are a disaster in action.
Graceland facade

Was Graceland Elvis’ Greatest Aesthetic Masterpiece?

When you think of the aesthetic life of Elvis Presley, you probably think of the gaudy glitz of Graceland. But what did the tacky décor really mean?
Pisco punch

The Lost (and Found) Classic Cocktail of San Francisco

The legend of Pisco punch did not die with its creator, Duncan Nicol.
SOS Venezuela Protest

What Venezuela Can Teach Us About Saving Failed States

Outside intervention in Venezuela is built on the idea that the fallout of a failed state has ramifications beyond its national borders.
Bronte Sisters

Branwell: The Other Brontë

It's the 200th anniversary of the birth of Branwell Brontë, who isn't nearly as famous as his three sisters but remains a key player in the family drama.
Sacred Cow plane

National Security and the Rise of American Air Power

Intending to rein in spending, the 1947 National Security Act reorganized the military establishment.
Scientists collaborating

Scientific Researchers Need to Open Up to Collaboration

The apprenticeship model is cutting us off from addressing today’s complex questions. Fortunately, social avenues like ResearchGate and MCubed can help.