HISTORY

7 Old-Fashioned Remedies for the Common Cold

Alcohol, opium, and leeches to treat a cold? No, thank you! Here are seven old-timey cold remedies that are better left in the past.

Portrait of Gerard de Lairesse by Rembrandt van Rijn. De Lairesse, a painter and art theorist, had congenital syphilis that deformed his face and eventually blinded him.

Map Shows How Everyone Blamed Syphilis on Everyone Else

The origins of syphilis may be one of the greatest (and grossest) health mysteries of our time. What we do know is that, throughout history, people were quick to point fingers at each other.

The Accidental First Female Senator

Call it a combination of bad luck and sheer doggedness.

Phoebe Couzins, first female U.S. Marshal

10 Trailblazing U.S. Law Women

In the late 1800s and early 1900s, the idea of a woman in law enforcement was unheard of. At least until these women came along.

New Collection of Alexander Hamilton’s Letters and Documents Now Online

A lock of Hamilton’s hair is currently on sale, too.

The Fart Jars of 17th Century Europe

There was a perfectly sound reason why physicians advised patients to capture farts in a bottle.

5 Facts About Civil War Spy Mary Bowser

Mary Bowser took a job as a servant for Jefferson Davis to serve as a spy in the Confederate White House, working with the famous spymaster Elizabeth van Lew.

The ME 109 Messerschmitt. Image credit: Bundesarchiv, Bild via Wikimedia Commons // CC BY-SA 3.0 de

Danish Teen Uncovers Remains of WWII Plane and Its Pilot in His Backyard

The discovery started out as a school assignment.

This 300-Year-Old 'Detector Lock' Reveals an Intruder's Presence

English craftsman John Wilkes created the clever gadget, currently displayed in Amsterdam's Rijksmuseum.

The Mysterious 19th Century ‘Princess' Who Fooled a Town

One day in 1817, a woman named "Princess Caraboo" appeared seemingly out of nowhere.

10 Great Things Invented by Working Moms

The achievements of these inspiring ladies are worth recognizing.

25 Trailblazing Female Firsts

Boldly going where no woman had gone before.

Library of Congress, Public Domain, Wikimedia Commons

10 Crazy Creations of “Plant Wizard” Luther Burbank

Even if you haven't heard of Luther Burbank, you've probably tasted his work.

8 Mummified, Mythical Monsters Found in Remote Japanese Temples

The remains are commonly believed to be elaborate pieces of faux-taxidermy created for entertainment purposes at Edo Period carnivals called Misemonos.

High School Teacher's Theory Frames 'The Wizard of Oz' as a Political Parable

Was the classic fairytale meant to be a metaphor for the Gilded Age?

9 Little-Known Contributions to Medicine

Get to know an assortment of under-sung or oft-forgotten scientists whose discoveries and inventions played important roles in saving individual lives—and arguably, entire civilizations.

You Can Now Experience Walden as a Video Game

Channel Henry David Thoreau without isolating yourself in the woods.

15 Cream-Filled Facts About Oreos

There's a lot to know about the world's favorite cookie.

15 Incredible Historic Women You Should Know

From pirates to poets to political activists, women have been making their mark for centuries.

9 Female Warriors Who Made Their Mark On History

They were mothers, sisters, daughters, and wives. But above all these women were warriors. All across time, and all around the globe, they brandished swords and guns, fought battles, and faced off with royalty. Though outnumbered by their bands of brother

Happy Birthday, Sinclair ZX81 Computer!

36 years ago today, Clive Sinclair introduced his unbelievably inexpensive home computer.

6 Modern Societies Where Women Rule

Who runs the world? In these six societies: Girls.

Researchers Want to Recreate What a New York Library Smelled Like in 1906

The olfactory experts have analyzed books, fabrics, and cigars to capture the perfect scent profile.

America’s First Mandatory Education Law Was Inspired by Satan

The Puritans were preoccupied with the devil’s doings.

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