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Why Do They Use Sterile Needles for Lethal Injections?
“Lethal injection” isn’t a marketing term or a cute nickname. The intent of the injection is to execute someone. So why bother with the alcohol swab and sterile needle? Are they really worried about the condemned getting an infection?
4 Bizarre Experiments That Should Never Be Repeated
This is the true story of three schizophrenics, who all believed they were Jesus Christ. It wasn’t long before they stopped being polite and started getting real crazy.
Why Can't You Start a Rival Post Office?
Sure, there are package delivery services—but the U.S. Postal Service is the only one that really does letters. Why?
That'll Cost You: NFL Fines Through the Years
In the wake of the NFL’s crackdown on concussions and the increasing number of player fines issued for helmet-to-helmet hits, here’s a look at 15 other offenses, ranging from the serious to the absurd, that have drawn fines over the years. Amateur Hour I
A Short History of Long-Haired Music: Amadeus, Part 1
If you missed our previous installments, check out A Short History of Long-Haired Music
Will This Be on the (Drug) Test? On Poppy Seeds and False Positives
The other day, I caught a few minutes of the Seinfeld episode where Elaine Benes fails a drug test at work thanks to her fondness for the poppy seed muffins at Monk’s coffee shop. Can something as innocuous and innocent as a poppy seed pastry really make
The Origins of 8 Classic Board Games
Continuing our look at the history of board games, here are the histories of some more modern classic games, from backgammon to Scrabble to Hex. 1.
The Cool History of the Slurpee
When President Obama commented that the Republicans were standing around drinking Slurpees while the Democrats were busy creating real change in Washington, it caused quite a storm. Now that he's sitting down with the new Republican leadership, the so-ca
How the Big 12 Schools Got Their Nicknames
Much of Big 12 country is farmland, which is evident in the original nicknames of many of its teams. From Bears and Buffaloes to Cyclones and Sooners, here are the stories behind the nicknames of 11 of the current Big 12 schools. (Nebraska was covered wit
The 20 Longest Pages on Wikipedia
Her Majesty Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands, according to Wikipedia, #830 in the Line of succession to the British throne. Back in July, our own Will Treece pointed to the then-longest Wikipedia article: Licensed and localized editions of Monopoly. Ho
How the Big Ten Schools Got Their Nicknames
From Badgers and Boilermakers to Hoosiers and Hawkeyes, the Big Ten Conference boasts an interesting set of school nicknames.
5 Things You Didn't Know About Nolan Bushnell
His name may not ring any bells, but if you were born after 1970, chances are Nolan Bushnell had a hand in shaping your childhood. Let’s take a look at five things you might not know about this inventive
6 of the Biggest Vegas Wins in History
Sounds like we need to plan a weekend trip to Vegas ASAP and hope the stars are shining down on us.
Are You Afraid of the Park? Ghosts, Conspiracies and Other Weird Happenings in Central Park
For a while, Central Park, the 770-acre green oasis in the middle of Manhattan, wasn’t considered a place you really wanted to go.
Trick or Treat: Is There Poison in Your Pixy Stix?
Halloween has to be one of the best days on a kid’s calendar. Not only do you get to put on a snappy new costume and pretend to be a monster, superhero, or princess, but you also get free candy just for ringing doorbells. Seriously, what could be better t