ENGINEERING

Brian Mueller (super soaker), New Africa (light bulb and seat belt), Feng Yu (duct ape), los_jan (toilet), non123 (Walkman), 3DMI (Hubble), Areeya_Ann (birth control pills) // Shutterstock; Julia Lemba (backgrounds) // iStock via Getty Images Plus

The Stories Behind 20 Inventions That Changed the World

From blood banks and barcodes to the Super Soaker and the pizza box, here are the fascinating stories behind inventions that changed the world.

15 Monumental Facts About the Eiffel Tower

On March 31, 1889, the Eiffel Tower—which was built as an entrance arch for the World's Fair—opened to the public.

Elijah McCoy devised his first invention while working on the Michigan Central Railroad.

10 Little-Known Facts About Inventor Elijah McCoy

Elijah McCoy’s most famous creation, an automatic oil cup that lubricated steam engines on trains, may have spawned the phrase “the real McCoy.”

Benjamin Banneker: Almanac publisher and surveyor of our nation's capital.

Benjamin Banneker, the Black Mathematician Who May Have Saved Washington, D.C.

The U.S. capital might have been a very different place if not for the surveying work of Benjamin Banneker.

8 Fascinating Facts About Toilets

Half of the world’s population—nearly 4 billion people—lack safe and sanitary toilet facilities. Here are a few facts to make you appreciate our lovely loos.

How Much Horsepower Does a Horse Have?

If you thought the answer was "one," we were right there with you. But we'd both be wrong.

This Eco-Friendly Kayak Is Made From More Than 60 Pounds of Recycled Plastic

There’s not much crossover between the lists of best kayaks and eco-friendly products. Osiris Outdoor is trying to change that.

An 1858 cartoon shows Death rowing down the polluted River Thames.

How London's Great Stink Turned the Tide of Victorian Pollution

In 1858, Londoners were overwhelmed with the stench rising from the River Thames. Joseph Bazalgette built an entire sewer system to get rid of of the smell.

DCWater transforms poop into fertilizer with the help of microbes.

5 Surprising Uses for Recycled Poop

People usually want plenty of distance between themselves and their poop, but some engineers argue that all that waste is going to waste.

The Tay Bridge Disaster: William McGonagall and the Worst Poem Ever Written

Is William McGonagall the best poet ever? Absolutely not. Is he the best bad poet ever? Quite possibly yes.

"The Wheels on the Bus" doesn't cover this.

The Clever Reason Behind Those Black Lines on the Sides of School Buses

Yellow school buses look extra eye-catching with black detailing, but the stripes aren’t just for design.

11 of the Best STEM Toys for Kids of All Ages

Whether your kid is into robots, chemistry, or the wonders of slime, these STEM toys will make playtime more engaging.

The Real Reason Cars Have Those 'Grab Handles' Above the Doors

This particular car safety feature isn’t so your passengers can wordlessly convey that they think you’re a reckless driver.

Vintage illustration of Thomas Edison and the phonograph.

11 Surprising Facts About Thomas Edison

You may know that Thomas Edison was a prolific inventor who revolutionized the electric light bulb. But have you heard about his creepy talking dolls?

They definitely learned something new in 2020.

100 Interesting Facts We Learned in 2020

Scientific discoveries (and all other kinds of discoveries) simply never stop—not even during a pandemic. Here’s our fun-fact-filled year in review.

The shiny side is on top here, but that doesn't necessarily make it better.

Why Only One Side of Tinfoil Is Shiny

Understanding the manufacturing process will also help you decide whether that shiny side should face up or down.

FDR's Lincoln K Sunshine Special at the now-closed Walter P. Chrysler Museum in Michigan.

The Evolution of the Presidential State Car

From FDR’s modest Lincoln to Obama’s massive Ground Force One, here’s how the president’s car has changed over the years.

Engineering Student Builds Giant Slip 'N Side in an Effort to Break a World Record

It took engineering student Jeff Roper less than 11 seconds to clear the massive, DIY Slip 'n Slide he built near his grandparents' home.

NASA Names Washington, D.C., Headquarters After ‘Hidden Figure’ Mary Jackson

Mary W. Jackson, NASA’s first Black female engineer, was an unsung hero of the Space Race in the 1960s.

Sadly, Congress voted 'No' on using Thomas Edison's voting machine.

Thomas Edison’s First Patented Invention—a Voting Machine for Congress—Was a Total Flop

“If there is any invention on earth that we don't want down here, that is it,” a Congressman said about Edison’s voting machine.

The workers produce polypropylene, a raw material used to manufacture masks, gowns, and other personal protective equipment.

Pennsylvania Heroes Head Home After a 28-Day Shift Making Medical Protective Gear

The employees voluntarily lived at work to help meet the increased need for personal protective equipment like N95 masks.

7 Animal Crossings Around the World

Animal crossings, also known as animal bridges or wildlife overpasses, protect animals from traffic and promote genetic diversity.

Thanks to the escalator stairs' grooves, these feet are not in danger.

The Reason Escalator Stairs Are Grooved

Those thin metal grooves may look dangerous, but they actually help prevent escalator accidents from happening.

Bioengineering Student Is Building Custom Prosthetic Arms From LEGO Bricks

Instead of following the instructions for LEGO sets, 19-year-old David Aguilar re-configures them to create custom robotic prosthetic limbs.