A Century After They First Appeared, Electric Boats Are Making a Comeback
In the late 1800s, electric boats were a promising new technology. They are now enjoying a revival.
The High Environmental Costs of Cruise Ships
Cruise ships pose many environmental concerns, from waste disposal to toxic paint to the creation of noise that can harm marine life.
To Reduce Infant Mortality, Train the Babysitters
“Little Mothers’ Leagues,” a program started by Dr. S. Josephine Baker at the turn of the last century, taught school-age girls to care for babies.
How Snakes Swallow
A snake’s ability to swallow enormous prey has long been a source of fascination, but the common explanation that they dislocate their jaws is a myth.
A Grain of Solar-Made Sea Salt
Artisanal sea salt makers are reviving the ancient method of sustainably harvesting salt.
Controlling a Hurricane
In the mid-20th century, the United States government invested in two major projects designed to control hurricanes by seeding the storm clouds.
Why People Live In Earthquake Zones
Millions of people now live atop fault lines because long ago small communities gathered at fresh water sources.
How Natural Gas Helped Make our Industrial World
Gas was in fact one of the first readily available fuels, and shaped spaces and politics in Regency-era London.
The Sky’s Creepiest Parasites
Are you a bird? Is your chick acting weird? You might be victim of a brood parasite.