Disease, Demons, and Discord—How the Vampire Myth Was Born
(via Atlas Obscura) Modern vampires may be dashing, but that’s not how the legendary bloodsuckers started out.
Read more
Cultures
Learning about your own and that of others
10 Weirdest Menu Items from American Fast Food Chains in Other Countries
(via Listverse) For better or worse, Americans tend to think of themselves as the biggest junk-food consumers in the world.
Read more
Reagan and Gorbachev Agreed to Pause the Cold War in Case of an Alien Invasion
(via Smithsonian) The 40th President of the United States was a big science-fiction fan
Read more
10 Screen Greats Never Voted Oscar’s “Best”
(via Listverse) And the Oscar goes to…somebody else. What could be a better demonstration of acting chops than to smile
Read more
Rare 18th-Century Drawing by Rococo Artist Tiepolo Discovered in English Estate’s Attic
(via Smithsonian) “Wrapped in bubble wrap” and forgotten, the artwork had collected dust in one of Weston Hall’s nine attics
Read more
10 Ancient Technologies We Cannot Recreate Today
(via Listverse) History slowly and inevitably decays into mystery. As time passes, we lose knowledge and culture to the invisible
Read more
Obsidian ‘Spirit Mirror’ Used by Elizabeth I’s Court Astrologer Has Aztec Origins
(via Smithsonian) Tudor polymath John Dee used the artifact in his attempts to communicate with angels and apparitions
Read more
50 Sweet Facts About Your Favorite Halloween Candies
(via Mental Floss) It’s no surprise that candy delights kids and adults alike. We love sweets so much that the
Read more
The Surprising Stories Behind 11 TV Show Theme Songs
(via Mental Floss) Whether it’s a wordy epic that chronicles the show’s backstory or an orchestral piece that lends itself
Read more
10 Amazing Unfinished Sculptures
(via Listverse) Artistic genius can be a flighty thing. No sooner have you started on a project than another brilliant
Read more
10 Weirdest Feuds in Music History
(via Listverse) Even more than most artists, musicians can be a fickle bunch. Whether out of rivalry, jealousy, entitlement, or
Read more
A Monumental Portrait of NASA Astronaut Stephanie Wilson Crops Up in Atlanta
(via Smithsonian) The earthwork is the latest in land artist Stan Herd’s impressive, decades-spanning portfolio
Read more