Author: Jamie Frater

There are many widely believed misconceptions about the Victorian Era, which began with Queen Victoria being crowned in 1837 and ended with her death in 1901. Public perception has it that the Victorians were a sexually repressed and humorless bunch. And then there are the more specific myths about famous people of the era—from Charles

The old military adage, “An army marches on its stomach,” has been a guiding principle for the U.S. armed forces for centuries. However, the mission to feed troops well—and, crucially, to feed them imperishable and easily transportable rations—has resulted in far more than just MREs. Since World War I…

Colonial Americans lived very differently than we do today. They were building new lives in a strange and often unforgiving land, far removed from the conveniences we now take for granted. The people who came over on the Mayflower in 1620—and the waves of settlers who followed throughout the 17th and early 18th centuries—had an

Hair loss might not be a life-or-death issue, but it can have a major impact on people’s confidence. For that reason, we have spent centuries trying to find ways to cling to our gorgeous curls. History has provided us with some wild remedy ideas, from pigeon droppings to buried mice jars…

Fungi are miraculous. They provide us with food, alcohol, medicine, and the essential decomposition that keeps life going. And yet, their potential may be far greater. Fungi can be made into computer chips, bio-batteries, circuit boards, insulation, self-repairing building materials, and reactive clothing. They can even devour plastic…