Monocles Were Never Cool
Unlike other trappings of the aristocracy, the monocle has mostly been a joke since its invention. An Object Lesson.
Object Lessons
Articles published in partnership with Object Lessons
The Military Origins of Layering
The popular way to keep warm outdoors owes a debt to World War II–era clothing science. An Object Lesson.
Candy Land Was Invented for Polio Wards
A schoolteacher created the popular board game, which celebrates its 70th anniversary this year, for quarantined children. An Object Lesson.
How a Bad Night’s Sleep Birthed the Sound Conditioner
In 1960, a Rubbermaid executive invented a device to tame noise in the home. Its impact has been anything but quiet. An Object Lesson.
Nobody Uses Dental Dams
So why do they still exist? An Object Lesson.
Cottage Cheese Is the New Greek Yogurt
Americans’ dairy consumption is about to get a lot more cultured. An Object Lesson.
Smartwatches Are Changing the Purpose of the EKG
Wearables help cast the medical test as a talisman of health-care competence. An Object Lesson.
Why There Are No Nuclear Airplanes
Strategists considered sacrificing older pilots to patrol the skies in flying reactors. An Object Lesson.
Why Coal Symbolizes Naughtiness
And how it should be used instead. An Object Lesson.
The Benefits of a Foreign-Language Tattoo
Even when it goes wrong, body art in another tongue can be a good thing. An Object Lesson.