Innovation
Do you know how common everyday items, such as mirrors, fireworks or sunglasses work? This collection of Innovation articles explores the workings of objects you may come into contact with on a regular basis.
10 Nobel Laureates Whose Work Changed the World
Eugenics Overshadows the Legacy of Scientific Genius Francis Galton
Jane Goodall: A Global Face for Global Peace
'Mad Honey' Comes From Bees That Gather This Specific Nectar
Barrels and Barrels of Aged Beer
HowStuffWorks: Candyland Comes Alive at Candytopia!
Who Invented the Toilet? A Brief History of the Flush
HowStuffWorks: How Porta Potties Work
Who invented sports drinks?
Meet the Man Who Invented Cool Whip, Tang and Pop Rocks
Thomas Edison vs. Nikola Tesla Quiz
Who Was Rube Goldberg, and What Are Rube Goldberg Machines?
The Evolution of Dictaphones: A Comprehensive History
The Evolution of the Franklin Stove: From Invention to Modern Efficiency
The Fascinating History of the Mimeograph Machine
5 Green NASA Inventions
5 Types of NASA Technology in Your Attic
How Has NASA Improved Solar Energy?
How hard is the patent application process?
How to File a Patent
Turning Air Pollution Into Ink
10 New Uses for Old Inventions
How Do QR Codes Work? 2D Barcodes Explained
How can a bar code save your life?
Is it possible to fix a blown fuse with a chewing gum wrapper?
How do scratch-and-sniff stickers work?
10 Oddball Questions Scientists Have Genuinely Tried to Answer
Why does a balloon stick to hair?
Why Do We Experiment on Mice?
10 Black Scientists You Should Know
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The grocery bag you're carrying breaks, and the eggs inside splat across your driveway. Yep, unloading groceries can be tedious, but that's nothing compared to the days before refrigeration, so grab a cold beverage and learn who you have to thank.
Like so many other modern conveniences that we take for granted, the history of the elevator is more complicated than it may seem at first glance. Believe it or not, there's some controversy over who invented this commonplace contraption.
More than two-thirds of U.S. households play video games, according to the Entertainment Software Rating Board. Without the crazy ideas of a few pioneering folks, we might still be stuck playing marathon sessions of charades. So who do we have to thank?
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We take X-rays so much for granted. We get them at the dentist's office and watch them while clearing luggage through security at the airport. But did you know they were discovered by accident?
By Josh Briggs
If you don’t know what tinnovation is, prepare to be amazed. These photos feature neat hacks that turn mere Altoid tins into utility items and art.
Before you hurriedly unwrap a stick of gum and twist the foil around the closest blown fuse, you may want to consider a few things. You could have a fixed fuse -- or a full-blown fire.
Better than buttons? Maybe. Less time-consuming than laces? Definitely. As far as fastening mechanisms go, the zipper is a work of art. Learn exactly what makes up a zipper and how it all fits together so perfectly.
By Tom Harris
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How do scratch-and-sniff stickers work? What makes them last for years and years?
Researchers are constantly developing fabrics that can help keep you cool, whether you're working out or trying to get a good night's sleep. But how do they work, and which are the best ones?
Many items enjoyed by people of all abilities were originally designed to help people with disabilities. Here are some inventions you may use every day that were originally for the disabled community.
By Alia Hoyt
Before digital cameras, you needed instant film to get instant pictures. With instant-film photography, you can watch the image slowly come together in a matter of minutes. While it seems like magic, the process relies on elements of science. Find ou
By Tom Harris
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Black lights look like normal lights, but they do something completely different. Switch one on, and fingernails, laundry detergent, highlighters, money and teeth will glow in the dark. Find out what why.
By Tom Harris
Remember "astronaut ice cream"? That was freeze-dried. You can find freeze-dried spaghetti and meatballs and even omelets. Find out what "freeze-dried" means and how such a state is achieved.
By Tom Harris
If you've ever tasted a Krispy Kreme original glazed doughnut, you know there's something special to these melt-in-your-mouth treats. How do they make a doughnut that's crispy outside yet soft inside? Find out.
By Tom Harris
As you sink your teeth into a juicy hamburger, could you be consuming meat that came from cloned livestock? Will those condiments taste just as good on your genetically duplicated dinner?
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When absinthe was banned in many countries in the early 1900s, it had really fallen out of favor. How does absinthe affect those who drink it?
By Julia Layton
Unless you're in a particularly remote area, you can't go far in most developed countries without finding a fast-food restaurant. Learn how fast-food restaurants came to be and why they're so popular.
What if we could enjoy all of the pleasurable effects of alcohol, without having to worry about the harmful side effects? Learn about synthehol and other alternatives to alcohol.
From cornflakes to Silly Putty, many of the things we consume today were created unintentionally. Here are the stories behind eight well-known inventions.
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Spam has been inspiring obsession and revulsion since the Great Depression. What exactly makes people so passionate about it?
The simplest explanation is usually the correct one. Or is it? Learn how detectives, doctors, scientists, mathematicians, skeptics and theologians all use the principles of Occam's Razor to slice through data and arrive at a particular worldview or theory.
Tea, the second-most consumed beverage in the world, has its own culture and customs. Learn more about different kinds of tea and how the process of preparing tea works.
By John Fuller
Pet microchips are supposed to ensure recovery of your lost animal. But these chips have received as much opposition as they have praise. Find out when the devices work and when they fail.
By Jane McGrath
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You don't have to be a scientist in a white coat to use the scientific method. We all use it every day to make observations and solve problems.
As you surf the Web, your mind is distracted by the thought of warm cookies floating in cold milk. Will this craving ever subside, or do you need chocolaty satisfaction ASAP?