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Spontaneous Generation, Part Two: "Broth Science"
Who could have guessed a series of broth experiments revolutionized humanity's understanding of life? Spoiler, not us. In part two of this week's two…
1 year, 5 months ago
Spontaneous Generation, Part One: Mice and Grain
Today the idea sounds silly. Why would anyone think nonliving substances can suddenly generate living things? Yet for much of human history, the conc…
1 year, 5 months ago
CLASSIC: The Capture of Guam Was Bloodless and Quick, All Due to a Misunderstanding
Located about 1500 miles to the east of the Phillipines in Micronesia, Guam is a small US territory with a tiny population, beautiful beaches and an …
1 year, 5 months ago
Ridiculous Royal Deaths, Part 5: A Blind and Bloody Finale (For Now)
Whether we're talking mysterious nosebleeds, drowning in full armor, or charging literally blind into battle, history is chock-full of ridiculous roy…
1 year, 5 months ago
Sir Adrian Carton de Wiart was Darn Near Unkillable
Born to an aristocratic Belgian family, Adrian Carton de Wiart could have lived the easy life, with a plum job in government or law. Instead, however…
1 year, 5 months ago
CLASSIC: Are All US Presidents Actually Related?
In 2012 a student in Salinas, California, startled genealogists when she claimed that all Presidents save one were actually related. Could it be true…
1 year, 5 months ago
Post-Presidential Careers, Part Two: Adams, Taft, And More
George W. Bush is super into painting. Barak Obama loves making playlists. Taft decided to join the Supreme Court. In the part two of this week's two…
1 year, 5 months ago
Post-Presidential Careers, Part One: Happy Birthday, Jimmy!
Over here in the US, there's one dream job so exclusive that only 45 people have held it so far: President of the United States of America, not to be…
1 year, 6 months ago
CLASSIC: What's the deal with two-dollar bills?
Despite being pretty rare in comparison to other denominations, the U.S. two-dollar bill is one of the most storied notes in American folklore. So wh…
1 year, 6 months ago
Mark Twain Was a Terrible Investor, Part Two: Typesetters, Steam Pulleys and Tesla
Well, Ridiculous Historians, as our pal Mark Twain settled into a life of literary fame, he still couldn't help himself from making huge investments …
1 year, 6 months ago