Tedium
The Device That Tried to Predict the Weather With Leeches
The parasitic creatures that could have been the key to Victorian-era meteorology, and the guy who had that weird idea.
10 Image File Formats That Time Forgot
From PCX to TGA to VRML, considering a number of image formats that the world forgot. Not every image standard is going to last, no matter how pretty it is.
How the Video Game Crash Lead to a Golden Age of Trivia Games
Q: Following the great video game crash of 1983, where did arcade operators and bar owners go next? A: Trivia games!
Virgin Cola: How Richard Branson Tried and Failed To Win the Soda Wars
The story of Virgin Cola, Richard Branson’s bold attempt to take on Coca-Cola and Pepsi at their own game. Of course it failed, but it did so stylishly.
The Massive Army of Volunteers That Built AOL in the 90s
Considering the fact that many early online networks relied on volunteers to help build up their base—until one such network, AOL, got too big.
What’s the Deal With That Security Slot on Your Laptop, Anyway?
What the heck is a Kensington security slot, and why does your computer probably have one? And how well does it really work, anyway? I asked a guy who designed locks for it.
The Many App Stores Before the App Store
Assessing the landscape of the app store concept in the years before it became an idea “originated” by Apple. The prior art is strong with this one.
The $149 Smartphone That Could Bring The Linux Mobile Ecosystem to Life
The low-cost PinePhone isn’t a perfect device, but the nuanced ecosystem it’s going to build for Linux-based smartphones is going to be amazing.
How Pizza Took Over Our Freezers
The evolution of the frozen pizza, the ideal form of sustenance for people who have an oven, a microwave, or an aversion to delivery. (Possibly all three.)
How the Whiteboard Took Over the Office
The whiteboard, despite being designed specifically for schools at first, became a huge hit with the business world before schools really embraced it.
How Europe Accidentally Built ARM Into a Global Powerhouse
How the European Union invested heavily in local manufacturing of microprocessors … only for that technology to become completely globalized anyway.
Why Did We ‘Degauss’ Our Old Monitors?
Discussing the process of degaussing a CRT screen, which is a surprisingly awesome way to spend a Saturday afternoon with a magnet.