Michelle Dean: A Sharp Look at Criticism by Women
Dean on the obstacles women face in being taken seriously as intellectuals, feminist infighting, and the importance of being an outsider.
The Real-Life Robinson Crusoe (Maybe)
Marooned sailor Alexander Selkirk, rescued after four years on a remote island, is usually taken as the model of Daniel Defoe's Robinson Crusoe, but is he really?
What Rum and Cokes Have to do With War
What could be more American than a sugary soda mixed with a liquor made from sugar? The origins of rum and Coke is more problematic than you might expect.
Welcome to the Age of Megafires
It's been a terrible year for fires in California and elsewhere around the world. Because then it always is now in the age of megafires.
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.
In Search of the Real Betty Crocker
Betty Crocker, the woman who would become America’s most beloved baker, sprang to life in 1921 in an all-male advertising department.
Wonder Woman
In 1942, William Moulton Marston wrote an incredibly charming essay in defense of comics, and describing how he created Wonder Woman.
How to Understand the Resurgence of Eugenics
The extreme right wing has brought the discredited idea of eugenics back into the national conversation. Brave New World and Gattaca offer perspective.
The Infamous Tale of the Murderous Chemistry Professor
The murder of Dr. George Parkman on the campus of Harvard College was one of the most famous crimes in nineteenth century America.
The Man Who Invented the Showgirl
Showgirl. Just the word calls to mind fabulous plumes, spangled sequins, and a distinctive strut. But where does ...