The Oropendola
Wacky gymnast of the bird world
Some tropical birds are known primarily for their colorful plumage. The Oropendola gets its name from its odd behavior: swinging around on tree branches like a gymnast. It's proof that birds just want to have fun.
Cochineal
Insect-based color
That bright red color in your food, drink, or lipstick no longer comes from that scary old Red #2 dye, but very possibly from ground-up bugs. Seriously.
The Unknown Woman of the Seine
Breathing new life into a mystery
A mask allegedly made from the face of a woman who drowned in Paris near the beginning of the 20th century created intrigue, sparked fashion trends, and influenced the design of first aid training equipment.
Pittsburghese
America’s most underappreciated dialect
Residents of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (and its surrounding area) have their own distinctive dialect of English called Pittsburghese.
The Argentinosaurus
Contender for the world’s largest dinosaur
The bones of one of the largest dinosaurs, and in fact one of the largest land creatures period, were unearthed in Patagonia in 1993. You can see them if you don't mind hearing a thing or two about, you know, evolution.
Measuring the Speed of Light
Fun with mirrors and math
In the mid-1800s, long before lasers, digital computers, or atomic clocks, a French scientist devised a brilliant method for measuring the speed of light using rotating mirrors, some clever geometry, and a bit of math.
The Golden Spruce
Tragic fall of a legendary tree
A highly unusual Sitka Spruce tree in British Columbia had golden needles and a conical shape, and was revered by nearby indigenous people. It was cut down by a logger-turned-environmentalist in a bizarre twist of illogic.
Pastis
The noble successor to absinthe
The most popular aperitif in France, pastis is somewhat of a cultural icon. And yet, it might never have existed if it were not for the untimely demise of its predecessor, absinthe.
Coin Tossing
Putting a new spin on randomness
If you need a quick, random decision, you'll probably toss a coin. But coin tosses may not be so random after all.
The Klingon Language Institute
The final frontier of linguistic scholarship
A linguist developed a complete Klingon language for the Star Trek television shows and movies. Incredibly, a nonprofit scholarly organization exists to promote and study the language. Coming soon: the Bible in Klingon.