Fifty Years of Fractals
A half century ago ago, Benoit Mandelbrot coined the word "fractal" and pioneered a new type of geometry.
Transplanting Nutmeg
Nutmeg originated in the Maluku islands of what’s now Indonesia, but Barbados became known as the Nutmeg Island. Why did the tree wander?
Where Do Economic Statistics Come From?
Many ways of measuring the economy came about in the decades between the American Civil War and World War II. We’ve been arguing about them ever since.
We Love Libraries
Honoring the libraries and librarians that have shaped the way we live, learn, and fight.
Super-Resolution Microscopes Showcase the Inner Lives of Cells
Advanced light microscopy techniques have come into their own—and are giving scientists a new understanding of human biology and what goes wrong in disease.
Changing Playground Design, Changing How Children Play
The built environment of the playground influences children’s play styles, and even small interventions can affect cognitive and social-emotional development.
Simon Miles on Superpowers and Serendipity
An interview with historian of US foreign policy and diplomacy Simon Miles, who finds that surprises in the archives can lead to the most compelling projects.
What’s That in My Glass? It’s Cross Reference!
Grab a cheeseboard and pour a soft, fruity red to help you solve this month’s puzzle.
Mendez v. Westminster and Mexican American Desegregation
International relations and foreign influence helped end legal segregation of Mexican American students in California after World War II.
Cher’s Vocoder Is the Sound of Both Y2K and Camp
Released on the global stage by Cher, the vocoder effect speaks for the millennium and for queer subculture.