The Bizarre Theories of the American School of Evolution
The paleontologist Edward Drinker Cope condemned women's suffrage and Black Americans through an evolutionary lens.
How Yellowstone Extremophile Bacteria Helped With Covid-19 Testing
The heat-resistant enzyme from Thermus aquaticus is used in PCR testing to detect pathogens.
The Horseshoe Crab: Same as It Ever Was?
The seemingly static appearance of these ancient-looking arthropods presents a challenge for scientists who want to study their evolutionary history.
Why Would Parents Oppose Compulsory Education?
In Victorian England, reformers thought all children should go to school. That didn't sit well with everyone—and not just kids.
The Mockumentary: A Very Real History
What's the appeal of humor masquerading as seriousness? An entire movie genre stands ready to shed light on that question.
Bringing France Back into American History
The current arrangement of nation-states in North America has made the role of the French in colonial history seem less important.
How Scientists Became Advocates for Birth Control
The fight to gain scientists' support for the birth control movement proved a turning point in contraceptive science—and led to a research revolution.
Captain America and Wonder Woman, Anti-Fascist Heroes
Who needs black clothing to fight fascism when red, white, and blue will do quite nicely?
What Did the Diggers Really Believe?
The early modern Protestant sect has been seen as a predecessor to radical political views. But is that how they saw themselves?