From The Archive

41 Brand Names Given to Drugs in The Wire

“Pandemic” isn’t the only illicit substance hitting the streets in David Simon’s Baltimore

What’s the Oldest Trick in the Book?

Magicians have been practicing their craft for ages, but what’s the first magic trick that was recorded for posterity?

20 Mockbusters You Might Confuse for the Real Movie

Sometimes smaller studios try to cash in on a major movie by releasing their own low-budget version.

Real Oscar Stories: Philomena

Sometimes, truth is stranger than fiction—or, to be more accurate, the truth is all you need for a great movie. Such is the case with Best Picture nominee Philomena, starring Dame Judi Dench and Steve Coogan.

Why Are Some Drinks Shaken and Others Stirred?

5 Modern Banking Services You Might Take for Granted

Real Oscar Stories: American Hustle

Thanks to an opening title screen that says, “Some of this actually happened,” we begin to wonder right from the get-go just how much of American Hustle occurred in real life.

10 Stories of Conjoined Twins

7 Special Oscar Categories and Awards

While Oscar categories such as Best Actor in a Leading Role and Best Director are well-known, there are a few special categories and awards that are a little more obscure.

Scientific Evidence That You Are (and Aren’t) the Center of the Universe

To the horror of mothers everywhere, there is scientific evidence that you are, in fact, the center of the universe. We all are, actually. That’s because, depending on how you interpret some key cosmological axioms, the center of the universe is everywher

6 People Who Accidentally Found a Fortune

A California couple found $10 million in gold coins buried on their property. If you haven't found a fortune in your backyard, don't give up! This kind of thing happens all the time.

Why Are Some Letters Missing From NYC Subways?

The explanation for the missing letters falls (mostly) into two categories.

10 Things You Might Not Know About Seth Meyers

Late Night with Seth Meyers premieres tonight—which means it’s the perfect time to learn a little bit about the Weekend Update alum.

What New Sports Will Debut at the Next Olympics?

We might be two and four years away from the next set of Olympic Games, but the process to add new events is well underway.

Spy Pigeons and Other Great Moments in the History of Aerial Photography

In 1858, Frenchman Gaspard Tournachon snapped the world’s first aerial photograph. Photography had only been around for about three decades, so getting a camera in the air was no simple task. Tournachon had to take pictures of the Bièvre valley from a bal

The Oscar Shorts Category Explained In 6 Steps

Not so long ago, the Academy Awards' three short film categories—made up of nominees few outside of the industry had even heard of, much less had a chance to see—were guaranteed to wreak havoc on your Oscar pool. But over the past 14 years, there has been

They Were Who They Weren’t: 6 Audacious Impostors

Are Humans Still Getting Taller?

You've probably noticed, either from museum exhibits or visits to colonial houses, that humans these days are generally taller than we used to be.

5 Forgotten Drug Fads

Let us take you through five of the world’s most bizarre and forgotten drug fads.

What’s the Difference Between a Stalactite and a Stalagmite?

Well-meaning geologists ended up confusing plenty of folks when they named stalactites and stalagmites. Both of these similar-sounding structures—typically formed in limestone caves—are capable of stretching over 27 feet in length. But what's the differen

The Early Acting Careers of Walking Dead Stars

Let's look back at the early careers of some past and present cast members...before walkers roamed the Earth.

Bartending With Fire, Eggs, and Science to Impress Your Friends

Knowing how to make tasty cocktails will make you a hit at any party, but adding flair to the process can bring the house down.

The Surprising Origins of Child-Proof Lids

While the modern versions of child-proof lids have been around for decades, their history may extend back thousands of years.

5 Online Campaigns Empowering Women and Girls

Women make up half the world's population, but they face serious challenges—for instance, one third of the world's girls are married before age 18 (with a shocking 1 in 9 married before age 15!).

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