The iconic clock scene from Safety Last! (1923)

When People Talked at the Movies

Being silent in a movie theater is a learned habit.
Humpback Whale

The Importance of Whale Poop

Whales are an important part of ocean biodiversity. So is their poop.
Lincoln University graduate Lloyd L. Gaines, 24 years old, during the mandamus suit trial in which he is seeking to compel the University of Missouri to admit him as a law student. (Copyright Bettmann/Corbis / AP Images)

Desegregating Mizzou

It took twelve years and the Supreme Court before the University of Missouri agreed to accept black students.
A bowl of mashed sweet potatoes.

Considering the Sweet Potato

The sweet potato is a New World food that spread around the world, including across the Pacific before the Europeans got there.
Movie poster for The Big Lebowski

Aggression, Ethics, and War in ‘The Big Lebowski’

It's more than just entertainment. It reflects the feelings of an era.
MST3K: This Island Earth

Mystery Science Theater 3000 May Be Coming Back

The smartest dumbest show ever created for television.
William Shakespeare's King Lear

When King Lear Was a Rom-Com

The King Lear people saw for almost two centuries was very different from Shakespeare's.