Cholera Gave a British Doctor the Idea for IVs
Patients need fluid, somehow.
Creative Frontiers
The discoveries, inventions, and startups shaping the future
How Elephant Teeth Taught Scientists Extinction Exists
In 1796, Georges Cuvier convinced his fellow researchers that some bones belonged to a species that no longer roamed the Earth.
The Holy Grail of the TV Industry
From the moment the first LCD screen was created, the goal was to create a flat television.
Aluminum Was Once One of the Most Expensive Metals in the World
Before two twentysomethings simultaneously figured out how to isolate the element cheaply and efficiently, it was one of the most valuable metals in the world.
The First Plastic Football Helmet Often Broke on Impact
Early headgear was meant to prevent death. Today's versions attempt to prevent concussions, but protecting players who take repeated hits is hard.
Thank Cyclists, Not Drivers, for Early Road Improvements
Edward N. Hines became passionate about transportation reform as an avid biker—inventing the first center line to divide a street in two.
The First Pap Smears Were Done on Drunk Guinea Pigs
A Greek doctor found himself unable to experiment on humans when he came to America, so he used animals instead.
What Happens to a Pill After You Pop It?
Patients prefer to swallow drugs in little balls, but their ability to actually deliver drugs has a spotty history.
The Plane Crash That Gave Americans GPS
The Reagan administration sped up the implementation of location-finding services for civilian use after the Soviet military shot down a passenger aircraft.
The History of Digital Imaging Began With a Baby Picture
Could it have been any other way?