Latest history Stories
With Operation Popeye, the U.S. government made weather an instrument of war
Why we still haven’t figured out what Stonehenge was for
Even plastic art decays, but museum curators are on the case
People used to drill holes in their skulls, and we’re still not sure why
A hundred years later, we’re still not sure why the Spanish flu killed so many people
The botany in Obama’s official portrait represents his history
In his first PopSci appearance, a young Stephen Hawking explains an incredible discovery
Yes, UFOs exist. But they’re probably not what you think.
Four ways natural history museums can skew reality
These Really Rare Apollo Images Put the Program in a New Light
The ocean harbors unimaginable secrets, but we need to explore them responsibly
How the Air Force planned to put men on the moon
Marie Curie mobilized an army of women to help win World War I
The first smallpox vaccine changed the world—but we’re still not sure what was in it
60 years ago, Sputnik shocked the world and started the space race
Archive Gallery: Classic Car Advertisements from the Pages of PopSci
Archive Gallery: Automobile Safety Tips
A brief history of origin theories
Found: A star that last dazzled astronomers in 1437
This mysterious ancient tablet could teach us a thing or two about math
How to grill meat over an open fire
The mystery of a spooky Confederate submarine might finally be solved
We’ve been predicting eclipses for over 2000 years. Here’s how.
The Tuskegee Study reminds us that transparency in government science is vital
Why doctors are still studying JFK’s chronic back pain
DNA from Egyptian mummies and Viking graves reveals how cats conquered the world
This ancient whale had teeth, but it still sucked food off the ocean floor
How to build a steam-powered cannon invented by Da Vinci
Private moon rovers may visit the Apollo 17 landing site
Many have tried, but no one has solved the mystery of Amelia Earhart’s demise
Vintage Space is Moving!
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How The Noise Of Big Rockets Breaks Apart Buildings
This Rocket Failed to Put Soviets on the Moon
How Humans Evolved To Hurt Each Other
Travel Back In Time With These Amazing Historical GIFs
How NASA Goes to Space Without Leaving the Earth
Build Your Own Mini Medieval Siege Weapon
Your Blue Jeans Can Trace Their Origins To Peru, 6,000 Years Ago
Meet the Creepiest Android NASA Ever Built
You Could Own This Freaky NASA Robot From The 1960s
These Birds’ DNA May Shine Light On New Zealand’s Geologic Past
Why Did the Mercury 13 Astronauts Never Fly in Space?
Take A Tour Of New York City In The 1800s With Google Street View
Did An Asteroid Help The Dinosaurs?
Why You Should Be Really Excited That Juno is at Jupiter
Why Does a Rocket Need to Roll Going Into Orbit?
Future Job Alert: Space Junk Archeologist
Why Did NASA Still Use Pure Oxygen After the Apollo 1 Fire?
What Was the Mir Space Station?
Does the Moon Sound Like a Bell?
Why Were There Holes in the Titan Rocket that Launched NASA’s Gemini Missions?
I Bought an Awesome (if Obscure) Piece of Space History!
Suitsat Might Be The Creepiest Satellite Ever
How Quickly Did the Crew of Apollo 13 Know They Had Lost the Moon?
Meet The Amazing Women Who Launched America’s First Rockets
I (Sort of) Hosted A Show with President Obama!
How the Saturn V Broke into Pieces Launching to the Moon
Hannibal’s Famous Alps Crossing Revealed By Ancient Animal Poop
How Did the Apollo Command and Service Modules Separate?
A Surprisingly Deep History Of Jet Engines And The Planes That Carried Them
Why Did The Air Force Play With Cats In Space?
Satellites Help Locate Shipwrecks In Shallow Waters
Meet The First Civilian To Successfully Launch A Rocket Into Space
Shipwrecks And Tree Rings Extend The Hurricane Record By 350 Years