The 19th-Century Activist Who Tried to Transform Teaching
Margaret Haley argued for unionization, insisting that “there is no possible conflict between the interest of the child and the interest of the teacher.”
What Really Happened to Easter Island?
Did Easter Island's inhabitants degrade their ecosystem to the point that the island could no longer support them? Or is there more to the story?
The Books that Taught the Seventies to Have Sex
What can 1970s sex manuals tell us about the height of the Sexual Revolution? The 1970s was a distinctive sexual decade that’s well worth studying today.
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."
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.
The Lost (and Found) Classic Cocktail of San Francisco
The legend of Pisco punch did not die with its creator, Duncan Nicol.
What Links Religion and Authoritarianism?
The connections between religiousness and authoritarianism, studied for decades, depend upon the kind of religious belief.
Indian Food is Not a Monolith
When you eat Indian food, what are you really eating? Chicken tikka masala was originally created to appease the palates of the British during the Raj.
How Arizona Banned Mexican-American Studies
An Arizona court is hearing a case that could roll back a 2010 ban on teaching Mexican-American studies in the state.
How the Plastic Pink Flamingo Became an Icon
The ubiquitous pink flamingo lawn ornament is 60 years old, a product of the age of suburbs and plastic. It has a surprising natural history.