Hymir’s Cauldron
Thor’s goblet-throwing prize
An Icelandic myth tells the story of Thor's encounter with the hard-headed giant Hymir, and illustrates the lengths some people (or gods) will go to for a good supply of mead.
The Great Cork Debate
Thinking outside the bottle
The best way to seal a bottle of wine is a matter of debate, more because of aesthetics than function. Corks have the historical edge, but plastic stoppers and even screw caps are making inroads.
The Capilano Suspension Bridge
Vancouver from another point of view
The most popular attraction in the entire province of British Columbia is, of all things, a footbridge over a scenic canyon. But what a bridge!
Labyrinth Walks
The twisty path to clarity
Meditation is a great way to relieve stress, but it need not involve sitting still. One increasingly popular form of meditation involves walking along a twisty path known as a labyrinth.
Pan del Indio
The little orange beech balls
On certain trees in Patagonia, large, otherworldly orange fungus globules grow. If you can get past the "yuck" factor, they actually make a tasty treat.
The Theremin
Electronic music’s original user interface
The world's first electronic musical instrument didn't have a keyboard or strings. Its user interface consisted of two antennas, and you played it by waving your hands.
Decimal Time
Solutions for people who need 100 hours in a day
The division of days into 24 hours and hours into 60 minutes is arbitrary and makes calculation awkward. Why not use a system based on units of 10 and 100? Some people have tried, with lackluster results.
Underwater Hockey
A breathtakingly unusual sport
It may sound like a joke, but a type of hockey played on the bottom of a swimming pool is becoming a serious international sport.
English Spelling Reform
The difficult path to simpler spelling
Everyone agrees that English spelling is far too complicated and difficult to learn. But the barriers to solving those problems are unthinkably high.
BookCrossing
Passing the book
If you love a book, set it free. That's the idea behind a service that aims to turn the entire world into a library by recirculating good, used books in public places.