Popular Science. Demystifying the worlds of science and technology since 1872.
It’s illegal to pump your own gas in New Jersey. But why?
The Garden State’s decades-old law is rooted in safety, science, and jobs—but how risky is pumping your own fuel?
Phosphorescent paint inspired Victorian-era Australians to dress up as ghosts and pull pranks
Plus, Louis Pasteur’s secrets and other weird things we learned this week.
Rachel Feltman
At Popular Science, we report and write dozens of stories every week. And while a lot of the fun facts we stumble across make it into our articles, there are lots of other weird facts that we just keep around the office. So we figured, why not share those with you? Welcome to The Weirdest Thing I Learned This Week.
Latest Articles
The 5 hot sauces aboard Artemis II are kinda weak
Don’t expect any ‘Hot Ones’ entries on the menu.
Samsung Galaxy phones now support Apple AirDrop. Here’s how it works.
It’s now easier to move files from Android to Apple devices.
What exercises will keep my aging joints healthy?
Walking deserves a special mention.
Artemis II astronaut Christina Koch: ‘Looking back at Earth…it truly emphasized how alike we are’
Koch previously spent 328 consecutive days in space.
Two supermassive black holes are on a collision course
It’s the first time astronomers have ever witnessed the stunning cosmic event.
Study: Google’s AI Overviews show millions of wrong answers every hour
With over 4 trillion Google queries every year, the inaccuracies add up.
Metal detectorist finds Viking Age gold coin that might upend history
The ninth-century coin pendant depicts a Christian saint in a pagan world.
513 humpback whales gather at massive Caribbean breeding ground
A stunning video captures one of the largest humpback whale gatherings ever recorded.
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Popular Science has been demystifying the worlds of science and technology since 1872. We explain the inner workings of the phone in your pocket, explore world-changing innovations, and examine everything from the marvels of deep space to the secret lives of staples like bread. We deliver an engaging, approachable, and inclusive look at emerging technologies and scientific advances.
Daily, Popular Science unpacks the science behind the top current new stories, dissects the latest technology and digital trends, and helps readers live smarter, safer, and happier through clever DIY projects.
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