Dave Roos Archives

When John Adams Signed a Law to Authorize Deportations and Jail Critics

The 1798 Alien and Sedition Acts called for deportation of people from ‘hostile’ nations and made it a crime to criticize the government.

The Army General Who Invented Muzak

Eisenhower installed ‘elevator music’ in the White House and NASA used it in astronaut training, but its inventor came up with many other, more impactful inventions in his lifetime.

7 ‘October Surprises’ That Disrupted US Presidential Elections

When scandalous news emerged in the final weeks of these presidential campaigns, election outcomes were at stake.

The Richter Scale’s California Origins

Charles Richter worked with Beno Gutenberg to develop one of the first data‑driven ways of comparing earthquakes.

How Dolly the Sheep Sparked Debate Over Cloning

When news broke in 1997 that scientists had cloned a sheep, the world reacted in shocked amazement—and fear over the possibility of human cloning.

When WWI, Pandemic and Slump Ended, Americans Sprang Into the Roaring Twenties

After enduring dark times, Americans were eager for a comeback.

How Fallingwater Became Frank Lloyd Wright’s Architectural Comeback

Wright designed the iconic home perched over a waterfall in 1934 as a full realization of what he called “organic architecture.”

How Louis Braille Invented a Reading and Writing System for the Blind

At just age 15, Braille devised a revolutionary system using raised dots to expand reading options for blind students like himself.

What Are Plato’s 5 Forms of Government?

In Plato’s ‘Republic,’ the ancient Greek philosopher lays out five different forms of government, ranging from ideal to oppressive.

The 5 Closest Presidential Elections in US History

Some presidential elections have been decided by just a few thousand votes—or even a few hundred.

The Origins of the Five‑Day Work Week in America

A 40‑hour, five‑day work week is now standard for full‑time jobs in America, but that wasn’t true until the 1930s.

The 7 Biggest Landslides in US Presidential History

These presidents (including one who later became very unpopular) arrived at the White House with overwhelming margins of victory.