Which Came First, the Spoon, Fork, or Knife?
The spoon predates the knife and the fork. It exists in every age and culture in a wide variety of shapes.
Agatha Christie, Pharmacist
If you think “poison” when you think Agatha Christie, you’re dead on. Many of her novels feature poison. But did you know Dame Agatha was also a pharmacist?
Can Animals Really Predict Earthquakes?
Stories of animals behaving erratically before earthquakes have circulated for thousands of years.
The Role of Children in War, from Lidice to Aleppo
Images of children in wartime, like those from Aleppo, can shock the world. But what happens after that isn't so clear.
Was America’s Wildlife Ever As Abundant As We Imagine?
Once the bison covered the plains. But how many were there really? Turns out historical animal abundance figures are tricky.
5 Things You Didn’t Know About Roald Dahl
What don't you know about the famous children's book author?
The Soft Robot Revolution
Science fiction has accustomed us to metallic, humanoid robots, but there are better models out there.
Phyllis Schlafly and the Meaning of Antifeminism
From today’s vantage point, many of the anti-feminist ideas Phyllis Schlafly espoused sound extreme. But are they?
Suggested Readings: Better Burgers, Confusing Giraffes, and Stupid Babies
Extra Credit: Our pick of stories from around the web that bridge the gap between news and scholarship. This week: giraffes, veggie burgers, babies.
