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Collage showing a red submersible partly underwater.
NASA

Before the moon race, explorers wanted to conquer the ocean

From Jules Verne-inspired submarines to NASA-backed underwater habitats, the dream of an undersea civilization came closer than most people realize.

By Bill Gourgey

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The Baffling Cases of Spontaneous Human Combustion

The Baffling Cases of Spontaneous Human Combustion

The Real Reasons Permanent Daylight Savings Time Never Stuck

The Real Reasons Permanent Daylight Savings Time Never Stuck

The Experiment That Tried to Weigh the Human Soul

The Experiment That Tried to Weigh the Human Soul

Latest Articles

a black and white painting showing benjamin franklin and his assistant wearing tricorn hats and flying a kite in a lightning storm
Space

The American revolutionaries who popularized science in the early United States

Benjamin Franklin and other citizen scientists are core parts of the American experiment.

By Matt Kasson

three scientists in an inflateable boat approach a whale that is tangled in fishing line. the whale's dorsal fin can be seen just above the water's surface
Whales

Young humpback whale freed from a death trap in Alaska

The whale was entangled in crab pot lines at Endicott Arm near Juneau.

By Sara Hashemi

Two images with an old 18th century button down golden coat on the left and a purple version of the same coat on a manequin on the right.
Insects

George Washington’s famous ‘golden suit’ was actually purple

The president partied in the dapper overcoat at his 1789 inauguration.

By Sarah Durn

two white cylinders with an american flag and "america250" on them
Science

America’s Time Capsule will be buried for 250 years. Here’s how to watch.

The high-tech historical repository will be buried in Philadelphia on July Fourth.

By Laura Baisas

Two images combined. On the left, an engraving of a woman in a bonnet. On the right, a rendering of a circular saw.
Engineering

The Shaker woman who reinvented the circular saw

The celibate Christian sect believed hard work was a form of worship.

By Andrew Coletti

A visualization of the supernova Cassiopeia A using data from the Chandra X-ray Observatory and the James Webb Space Telescope. The cloudy blast-wave of the supernova remnant is ring-like in shape, streaked with veins of iron, calcium, and oxygen. Here, presented in red, white, and blue, the remnant resembles an electrified donut, crackling with marbled veins of strawberry and blueberry icing.
Space Telescope

NASA celebrates Fourth of July with some cosmic fireworks

The release also includes new sonifications of red, white, and blue nebulae and galaxies.

By Andrew Paul

A selection of football boots from the 1890’s to the 1980’s at England’s National Football Museum.
Engineering

From real nails to kangaroo leather: Soccer cleats went on a wild journey

The shoe’s evolution mirrors how the beautiful game itself has changed.

By Mack DeGeurin

Canoe with sailboat conversion components in the builder's front lawn
Internet

Man converts canoe into a sailboat, takes it for a spin

No drilling required.

By Andrew Paul

two young eagles with dark feathers stand perched on a nest
Birds

Sandy and Luna return to nest after a big day of flying

Jackie and Shadow’s eaglets are stretching their wings, but still need some guidance.

By Laura Baisas

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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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