How Does the “Noah’s Ark” of Seeds Work?
The Svalbard Global Seed Vault is the largest of a global network of seed vaults; many countries retain vaults for their own use.
The African Roots of Square Dancing
Square dancing’s lily-white reputation hides something unexpected: A deep African American history that’s rooted in a legacy of slavery.
How “This Land Is Your Land” Went From Protest Song to Singalong
Woody Guthrie’s “This Land Is Your Land” has lost a bit of its protest oomph—in part because of a decades-long denial of its later verses.
The Mystical Side of Marshall McLuhan
Communication theorists don't usually merit international celebrity, with one giant exception: Canadian professor and author Marshall McLuhan.
Marie Cosindas and the Painterly Photograph
A student of painting, then of black and white photography under Ansel Adams, Marie Cosindas became famous for turning color photography into an art form.
Victorian England Had a Problem With Cloth Piracy
Calico took the newly industrial world by storm. But battles over bolts of fabric shook Britain during the nineteenth century.
The Enduring Mysteries of the Narwhal’s Tusk
Why don't we know what narwhals' tusks are for? New footage suggests they use the tusks to stun fish before eating then, but some mysteries remain.
Suggested Readings: Human Origins, a Rat Disaster, and the Confederate Flag
Well-researched stories from around the web that bridge the gap between news and scholarship. Brought to you each Tuesday from the editors of JSTOR Daily.
The Fantastic Disaster of the Arabia Felix Expedition
The Danish expedition to the Arabian Peninsula of 1761-1767 was a bungle of mismatched egos and wretched conditions. There was only a single survivor.
Could Youth Unemployment in the Middle East Be Dangerous?
Nearly half the population in the Middle East is under 25 years old, and their unemployment rate hovers at a staggering 30%.