The Invention that Tamed America, and the Town Obsessed with It
(via Atlas Obscura) Could anything be less friendly than barbed wire? Its whole purpose is to deter, to turn back,
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US History
The Brooklyn Bridge opened on this day in 1883
(via History) After 14 years and 27 deaths while being constructed, the Brooklyn Bridge opened, connecting the great cities of
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How the American Aircraft Carrier Became King of the Seas
(via Popular Mechanics) In just a century, the aircraft carrier has evolved from launching canvas-winged biplanes to formidable fighter jets
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Can you pass the test NASA gave potential astronauts in 1958?
(via Popular Science) In 1958, the newly formed National Aeronautics and Space Administration (aka NASA) launched a search for the
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How the Log Cabin Became an American Symbol
(via Mental Floss) Many Americans have a special fondness for the log cabin, viewing it as the home of heroic
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The Rise and Fall of the Hormel Girls, Who Sold America on SPAM
(via Atlas Obscura) In 1945, the war that wracked the world was finally over. American women who had served as
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The Historic Pub That Holds Its Own Olympics
(via Atlas Obscura) Rohman’s Inn is the last relic of a buried-and-gone amusement park.
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If War Is Hell, Then Coffee Has Offered U.S. Soldiers Some Salvation
(via NPR) If war is hell, then for many soldiers throughout American history, it is coffee that has offered some
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10 TV Shows That Recycled Their Sets
(via mental_floss) With a few exceptions, television productions don’t typically enjoy the massive budgets of their big-screen counterparts, so producers
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The Man Who Made Violins Out of New York City Buildings
(via Atlas Obscura) In the 1940s, luthier Samuel Stochek created stunning instruments from the wood of demolished houses.
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Here’s How Speed Limits Are Set
(via Jalopnik) You, a human being who we imagine likes to drive cars, are probably aware of the signs posted
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The Ships Buried Under San Francisco’s Streets
(via Amusing Planet) Beneath the streets of San Francisco’s financial district lie the remains of dozens of sailing ships that
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