When it comes to insects, Mother Nature has shown here’s almost no limit to how a simple concept can vary. Perhaps one of the best ways to see this is in insect wings. These wings have an incredible amount of variation, extending right down to the microscopic level. But before we can get into the … Read more
In the world of music, one of the instruments often associated with calm, soothing melodies is the violin. However, the violin family also includes fiddles, a variation of the violin which is played fast and loose, compared to the careful, structured pace of violins. But despite the difference in play style, violins and fiddles are … Read more
When you think of barns, you probably picture a red building with a peaked roof, outside silo, and big doors. But the term barn actually originated from two Old English terms: bereærn (barley house) and beretun (barley enclosure). Indeed, barns were originally used for storing barley and other grains before expanding into use as livestock … Read more
In 1889, a strange new type of horseless carriage was introduced in Paris. The driver sat in an exposed seat, while the passengers were in an enclosed cabin. People commented that the cabin roof resembled the black cloaks worn by folks in the Limousin countryside. The association stuck. Limos are vehicles with the driver separated … Read more
Sidewalks haven’t always been commonplace, even though they’ve existed since the Classical Era. And until recently, curbs were even more rare. We know that curbing along roads has existed since at least Pompeii, but it wasn’t until the late 1700s that sidewalks were deemed important enough to safety to warrant legislation that they became more … Read more
The crossbow has a very long and misunderstood history. Originally invented by the Chinese, it wasn’t as popular in medieval warfare as role-playing games suggest. In fact, crossbows were actually banned for a time in Europe due to the fact that they could pierce armor. They were known to be used frequently in hunting, which … Read more
Ever since the Roman emperor Commodus found immortality by inventing indoor plumbing, people have either been fascinated or horrified by toilets. While this list is about bathrooms, it’s not actually about the toilet. Instead, we’re going to be looking at their cousin, the urinal. These liquid waste receptacles are most often found in men’s restrooms, … Read more
In the realm of horror, there are three creatures from mythology that have dominated. Zombies have gone through several changes, resulting in a surprisingly diverse catalogue of undead. Meanwhile, vampires have become more homogenized, with almost all modern depictions being based off of the Bram Stoker classic. And then we have werewolves, a classic monster … Read more
When someone mentions the word hammock, there are three immediate associations: tropical island castaways, convenience, or slapstick gags with people falling out of one. Of course, hammocks are much more than these things, and they have a history to prove it. Nobody knows who invented the hammock or just how old it is, but it … Read more
We’ve taken a look at a lot of different musical instruments that have a surprising number of variations, such as bagpipes, bells, flutes, and trombones. These have been around for hundreds or even thousands of years and can have vastly different designs. But what about a musical instrument that is so perfect for its role … Read more