Before the creation of synthetic plastics, patent leather was made by glazing animal hides with layers of resin-based varnish. The coating protected items like boots and carriage parts from wear and ...

We give you an obscure word with four definitions—one correct, three made up. Can you identify the correct one?

The gas station doesn’t know how much fuel you’re going to buy when you pay at the pump. To make sure you have enough funds ...

Uncle Sam is an easily recognizable piece of wartime propaganda. And legend says he was based off a real person—though that may not actually be the case.

Picture how you might react if a stranger started harassing you on public transportation. Most people would, in theory, imagine telling them off, calling for help, or even physically defending ...

Japan’s geisha are experts in their field, but they’re often treated like tourist attractions. See why Kyoto officials have had to crack down on tourist photos.

Housing may be at record levels of unaffordability, but millions of people are still browsing real estate listings. A home’s amenities—whether it’s a fireplace, finished basement, or ...

The term ball peen hammer first saw print in 1874, when a mechanic’s dictionary referred to it as a “metal worker’s hammer ...

The world’s oldest known hominin cancer. | Patrick Randolph-Quinney (UCLAN)/ CC BY-ND 4.0 The true origins of cancer may always be murky, but recent research has shown that it’s likely one of ...

If city lights block the stars over your backyard, this map can help you hunt down the darkest skies for epic stargazing.

Remember Chuck E. Cheese? He’s back with arcades aimed at grown-ups featuring classic games, collectibles, and throwback ...

Showers are a nonnegotiable part of life, but should you take them at night or in the morning? Professionals have different opinions on what’s best. Dr. Jason Singh, a Virginia-based physician ...