Author: Stacy

Augustus Sherman spent more than two decades photographing the immigrants he saw every day during his duties as a registry clerk at Ellis Island. 

What does a good grasp of fractions have to do with marketing fast food hamburgers? Everything, which A&W Restaurants found out the hard way.

When you fly on an airplane these days, you more than likely have access to Wi-Fi. That means you can peruse Facebook, catch up on the latest trending topics on Twitter, feel bad about yourself after two minutes on Pinterest, and even stream music and movies (on certain airlines).

With such impressive in-flight technology improvements, why are cell phones still limited to airplane mode only?

The assumption has long been that mobile frequencies could interfere with the plane’s systems, causing them to malfunction to the point of crashing the plane. While that may be a stretch, phone signals can—and do—interfere with the radio frequency. It doesn’t happen often, and when it does, it’s brief; Condé Nast Traveler describes it as “the sound of a CD skipping.” Still, when pilots and air traffic control are trying to communicate vital information, even a split second of confusion is too risky.

However, there may be a loophole, if airlines decide to allow it. That amazing Wi-Fi we were just talking about? It can be used to make calls, too. Most airlines have banned the practice, not because of signal or interference issues, but because of common human courtesy issues: No one wants to sit next to someone who spends a three-hour flight loudly chatting to someone on Skype. So while it may be technically possible, you probably won’t be making phone calls from your window seat any time soon.

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Wax sculptor Marie Tussaud’s history is just as gruesome as the Chamber of Horrors in her London wax museum. 

In 1784, a small Dutch ship called the Dolfijn discovered that you can accomplish a lot with a single shot—even if you are outgunned and outmanned.

Can the works of Shakespeare be improved upon? Nahum Tate certainly thought so.

As Lemony Snicket fans know, the fictional author is fond of hiding secret messages throughout his books. Is there a code lurking within the new Netflix series, too? 

You’re bored? Congratulations! That’s great news. Here’s why.

From the world’s tiniest Bible to working electricity and running water, this $500,000 mini-mansion that belonged to silent film actress Colleen Moore could be the most detailed dollhouse ever created.

Textile artist and knitter Ruth Marshall has found a way to show the stunning beauty of animal pelts—without harming any animals.