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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Ever wonder what, exactly, you are putting in your body when you eat? Would you like to know the real difference between a "fat" and a "carb"? Learn all about food and how your body uses it!
Got a few grays? Just want a new look? Well, if you are like 75 percent of women, you're part of a billion dollar industry. Learn all about hair coloring and choosing the best color for you.
Want to keep your dog out of the neighbor's yard but feeling guilty pulling out a leash? You might consider an underground or wireless pet fence. Learn how these fascinating systems work and why this specialized fencing industry is booming.
By Melissa Russell-Ausley
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There's a candy called 'Pop Rocks.' When you put it in your mouth it makes a loud popping sound and it feels really weird! How do Pop Rocks work?
Hydrogen peroxide is something that is used to clean cuts. Have you ever wondered why it foams when placed on a cut? Learn about hydrogen peroxide.
By Yara Simón
Yesterday you talked about hydrogen peroxide, and the day before you talked about Pop Rocks candy. Since we are talking about things that fizz, what about Alka Seltzer? How does it work and why does it fizz?
It's a great pick-me-up in the morning and a perfect finish to a good meal. Ever think about trying to make this stuff at home? Find out what espresso actually is and how to make a perfect shot every time.
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In the past few years, tooth-whitening has exploded as the physical upgrade of choice. Unlike nose jobs and chin tucks, just about anybody can afford to try this at home. Learn about different whitening techniques and how they work, and decide if you should give it a try.
Although it's fairly easy to make at home or pick up at your local grocery store, ice cream is actually a very complex substance. Learn what goes into ice cream, how it's made and who invented it.
Sushi is much more than raw fish. Learn about types of sushi, where it came from, how to make it at home and what it's like to visit a sushi bar.
Many dieters use artificial sweeteners as a way to cut sugar without eliminating all things sweet. But did you know that some artificial sweeteners have almost as many calories as sugar? Find out how artificial sweeteners work.
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Breast implants are becoming a popular high school graduation present for parents in the U.S. to give their teens. Learn all about breast implants and the surgical process of augmentation.
Moonshining has evolved from backwood stills in the South. In fact, it's downright trendy in some bars. But, why is homebrewing and winemaking legal, but not distilling your own moonshine?
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
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
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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
Not only do we need to consume salt, we also need it for a variety of nonfood uses. But if it's so important, why do health organizations recommend that we closely watch our intake? Apparently, there can be too much of a good thing. Learn what happens when we overload on salt or get too little of it.
People have strong opinions about pizza -- in terms of passion, it ranks right up there with politics and religion. How did this Italian peasant food become a diet staple?
By Alia Hoyt
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You stay behind at work and agree to close up alone. You go into the walk-in freezer to put away some food, and the door shuts behind you. You do everything you can think of, but you can't get it open. Now what?
In movies, bad guys can take over an airplane and start shooting up the place. Wouldn't the plane explode or depressurize as soon as the bullet pierced its skin?
A man has a gun. But this is no ordinary man, and this is no ordinary gun. This isn't a setup for a sci-fi thriller. It's the premise for quantum suicide.
By Josh Clark
A February 2008 blast at a sugar refining plant near Savannah, Ga., killed at least six people. Investigators believe the accident occurred when sugar dust exploded.
By Josh Clark
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From cornflakes to Silly Putty, many of the things we consume today were created unintentionally. Here are the stories behind eight well-known inventions.
Spam has been inspiring obsession and revulsion since the Great Depression. What exactly makes people so passionate about it?