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.
From blood banks and barcodes to the Super Soaker and the pizza box, here are the fascinating stories behind inventions that changed the world.
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’s most famous creation, an automatic oil cup that lubricated steam engines on trains, may have spawned the phrase “the real McCoy.”
The U.S. capital might have been a very different place if not for the surveying work of Benjamin Banneker.
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.
If you thought the answer was "one," we were right there with you. But we'd both be wrong.
There’s not much crossover between the lists of best kayaks and eco-friendly products. Osiris Outdoor is trying to change that.
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.
People usually want plenty of distance between themselves and their poop, but some engineers argue that all that waste is going to waste.
Is William McGonagall the best poet ever? Absolutely not. Is he the best bad poet ever? Quite possibly yes.
Yellow school buses look extra eye-catching with black detailing, but the stripes aren’t just for design.
Whether your kid is into robots, chemistry, or the wonders of slime, these STEM toys will make playtime more engaging.
This particular car safety feature isn’t so your passengers can wordlessly convey that they think you’re a reckless driver.
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?
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.
Understanding the manufacturing process will also help you decide whether that shiny side should face up or down.
From FDR’s modest Lincoln to Obama’s massive Ground Force One, here’s how the president’s car has changed over the years.
It took engineering student Jeff Roper less than 11 seconds to clear the massive, DIY Slip 'n Slide he built near his grandparents' home.
Mary W. Jackson, NASA’s first Black female engineer, was an unsung hero of the Space Race in the 1960s.
“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 employees voluntarily lived at work to help meet the increased need for personal protective equipment like N95 masks.
Animal crossings, also known as animal bridges or wildlife overpasses, protect animals from traffic and promote genetic diversity.
Those thin metal grooves may look dangerous, but they actually help prevent escalator accidents from happening.
Instead of following the instructions for LEGO sets, 19-year-old David Aguilar re-configures them to create custom robotic prosthetic limbs.