How ‘Nosferatu’ Reinvented the VampireWhile the 1897 novel ‘Dracula’ launched a genre of literature and film about vampires, a 1922 knock‑off film cast the villain in a whole new light.Read more
Hurricane Science: Key Advances in Tracking the Deadly StormsThe first recorded hurricane forecast was issued by a Jesuit priest in 1875. A series of critical tools have since refined the science.Read more
When the 1824 Presidential Election Ended in an Electoral Tie, Controversy EnsuedAfter the tied election went to the House of Representatives, an anonymous letter accused two of the candidates of making a ‘corrupt bargain.’Read more
Who Invented the Dishwasher?Josephine Garis Cochran had no formal mechanical engineering education, but she designed, built, marketed and sold her dishwashing machine back in the 1880s.Read more
Who Were the Mafia’s ‘Five Families’?In 1931, a Commission of crime families began running New York City rackets, initiating an era of colorful nicknames and violent power struggles.Read more
How Presidential Polling Got Its StartThe first modern U.S. presidential poll was a 1936 Gallup survey. But informal straw polls started much earlier.Read more
7 Quirky—and Discontinued —Summer Olympic EventsSome of the oddball Olympic events of the past include hot air balloon racing, tug of war and painting contests.Read more
The Plane Crash That Killed JFK Jr.In 1999, the son of the famous president died, along with his wife, Carolyn Bessette‑Kennedy, and her sister Lauren Bessette, when the plane JFK Jr. was piloting crashed into the ocean.Read more
When Young Ancient Greek Women Raced at OlympiaLike the Olympic Games, the Heraia race was held every four years, likely as part of a prenuptial initiation ritual.Read more
How Disney’s ‘Snow White’ Elevated Animation to New HeightsThe Disney animation team spent three years, $1.5 million—and nearly 2 million separate paintings—in making its first feature film.Read more
Christa McAuliffe: How NASA’s Teacher in Space Project Ended in TragedyChrista McAuliffe embraced the chance to be part of a space shuttle mission and, despite the Challenger disaster, left an inspiring legacy.Read more
Historic Food MascotsFrom Betty Crocker to Ronald McDonald, companies have used human mascots as the ‘face’ of their products. Not all have stood the test of time.Read more
