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A retro-style color illustration depicts a cross-section of a futuristic multi-tiered moving sidewalk system. A group of elegantly dressed commuters from the mid-20th century stand on an elevated, reddish-brown platform that is supported by a series of visible white mechanical rollers. The illustration shows three parallel platforms layered at slightly different heights to indicate varying speeds, with a dark subterranean tunnel and a stationary train car visible in the lower-left corner.
Engineering

In 1871, cities almost got moving sidewalks. Why are we still waiting?

Even after debuting at the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair, moving walkways still haven’t made the leap to city streets.

By Bill Gourgey

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Channel cover

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

Rachel Feltman

Host

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

View of Earth seen from Orion spacecraft during Artemis II mission
Moons

Artemis II crew snaps stunning portrait of Earth on their way to the moon

The new, awe-inspiring image even features two auroras.

By Andrew Paul

frog eggs floating on a pond. they are clear blobs with a black dot inside
Birds

Nature’s strangest eggs—from spongy clusters to gelatinous blobs

Welcome to the wondrously weird world of eggs.

By Laura Baisas

An artist’s conception of the gas giant planet TOI-5205 b orbiting a small, cool red dwarf star. Image courtesy Katherine Cain, Carnegie Science.
Space Telescope

A ‘forbidden planet’ the size of Jupiter has astronomers stumped

TOI-5205 b has an odd amount of heavy metals.

By Andrew Paul

Fish climbing upstream against rock wall
Fish

These tiny fish climb waterfall cliffs for 10 hours

Try doing that yourself.

By Andrew Paul

an orange rocket lifting off against a blue sky. puffy white smoke is at its base
NASA

Space now has 10 toilets

Artemis II’s four astronauts share one toilet—and it already had issues.

By Laura Baisas

Young white woman eating an ice cream touched her temples due to a headache. She's blonde wearing a yellow shirt on a pink solid background.
Ask Us Anything

What’s a brain freeze and why do they happen?

Ice cream headaches and migraines have a lot in common.

By Julia Daye

Mushrooms with electrodes attached to them on forest floor
Environment

Pee changes how some mushrooms ‘talk’

Fungi communication networks are complicated, but urine may help translate their conversations.

By Andrew Paul

The talons of an immature bald eagle.
Birds

Rescued birds treated to a pedicure—or talon trim

Just like dogs, birds also need a nail trim every now and then.

By Margherita Bassi

Overlapping ace of clubs, diamonds, and hearts
Psychology

All that magician chitchat? It’s not fooling your brain.

Researchers found patter doesn’t do much to misdirect viewers in a classic card trick.

By Andrew Paul

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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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