Inventing Us: How Inventions Shaped Humanity
Materials scientist and science writer Ainissa Ramirez talks about her latest book The Alchemy of Us: How Humans and Matter Transformed One Another.
Arts & Culture998 articles archived since 1845
Visualizing the Rhythm of Food
Interactive data visualization charts the changing popularity of 195 different foods over time
The Foreigners at Your Thanksgiving Table
Many of the "American" foods we love came from parts of the world Pres. Trump has vilified
What We’re Thankful for at Scientific American
From our virtual Thanksgiving table to yours
The Rise of Pumpkin Spice
Pumpkins hold no special status for Americans unless it’s fall. Where did the obsession with pumpkin flavors come from?
The Noble Gases
Science in meter and verse
Early Maps of Geologic Strata, an Oliver Sacks Documentary and a New Science Podcast
Recommendations from the editors of Scientific American
The Surprising Origins of Chemotherapy and Other New Science Books
Book recommendations from the editors of Scientific American
The Warped Side of Our Universe
Science in meter and verse
Why Some Easter Island Statues Are Where They Are
Many of the statues not along the coast are in places that featured a resource vital to the communities that lived and worked there.
3,000-Year-Old Orbs Provide a Glimpse of Ancient Sport
Researchers say three ancient leather balls, dug up from the tombs of horsemen in northwestern China, are the oldest such specimens from Europe or Asia. Christopher Intagliata reports.
Luminous Zebra Fish Wins Contest for Microscopic Photography
A mix of scientists and hobbyists made our top picks from the 2020 Nikon Small World contest
Galileo and the Science Deniers
Four hundred years ago Galileo Galilei’s scientific findings were rejected because they didn’t fit the prevailing beliefs of the time. His story is disturbingly relevant today...
Scientific American & The Great Courses Video Series
We’ve partnered with The Great Courses to bring some of our best feature articles to life with video adaptations. We’re adding new video content monthly, so stay tuned and bookmark this page...
The First Ever Image of a Black Hole Is Now a Movie
Pictures created from old observations show the void’s stormy evolution over the past decade
Science News from around the World
Here are some brief reports about science and technology from all over, including one from Israel about what DNA reveals about the Dead Sea Scrolls’ parchment.
For Math Fans: A Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Number 42
Here is how a perfectly ordinary number captured the interest of sci-fi enthusiasts, geeks and mathematicians
Jaws: Classic Film, Crummy Science
Forty-five years after the movie made everyone afraid to wade into the ocean, it’s not too late to remind viewers of the truth about sharks
The Pulsar Chart That Became a Pop Icon Turns 50: Joy Division’s Unknown Pleasures
A classic data visualization brought an astronomical curiosity to music lovers
The Sanctuary of Trees, How to Argue with a Racist and Other New Books
New science book recommendations from the editors of Scientific American
