Safety Takes Flight: A Notable Aviatrix on Preventing Airplane Accidents
Ever since the first passenger was taken up in the air in 1908 safety has been a major concern of those involved in flying, building and riding airplanes.
Stories by Mary Karmelek
Collapsible Summer Fun: The Berthon Folding Canoe
Summer is officially upon us, and that means a bevy of outdoor activities lay waiting for our enjoyment. Whether you’re a hiker, swimmer, boater, biker or picnicker, one thing is certain: the more portable the necessary equipment is to lug around, the better—especially for those of us who rely on public transportation to get from place to place...
We Build, We Fight : The Role of the Seabees in the Invasion of Normandy
Today marks the 69th anniversary of D-day, when the Allied troops stormed the beaches of Normandy. Whereas all branches of the Armed Forces who took place in the invasion deserve recognition, I wanted to dedicate this blog post to a group that I hadn’t heard of until I read about them in Scientific American’s archive: the Seabees.The Scientific American article from February 1943 described the Seabees as “the newest branch of the Navy, and one of our most dramatic and romantic services.” The name is derived from the phonetic spelling of “CB”, or “Construction Battalion.” Officially created by Rear Adm...
2 Ships Passing in the Fog: 35 Years before the Titanic, Uneasy Sailing on the White Star Line
When most people think of famous ship accidents, the first that comes to mind is often the RMS Titanic , which sank on April 15, 1912. This was not the first accident involving a White Star liner, however...
Winning in a Snap: A History of Photo Finishes and Horse Racing
This past weekend millions of people tuned in to watch the “most exciting two minutes in sports,” the 139th running of the Kentucky Derby. The Derby is the longest consecutively run horse race event in America...
A Cycle for all Seasons
So far, the weather this spring has brought us all sorts of dashed hopes, with warm, “normal” days immediately followed by chilly, windy, rainy weeks.
A Horse Is a Horse, of Course, of (Main) Course
Let’s talk about horses. With news of Europe’s horse meat scandal grabbing headlines last month, it’s hard not to have equine on the mind. In 1875 Scientific American published an article, “Shall We Eat the Horse?” hypothesizing the economic benefits of consuming horse meat in the U.S...
Over 100 Years Later, an Old Invention Takes a New Spin
In many parts of the U.S. and here in New York City, we’ve had the pleasure of experiencing above-normal temperatures, and the sunshine has brought hibernating city-dwellers outdoors to soak up the warm rays while enjoying a number of activities—jogging, playing basketball, riding bicycles, or just lounging on park benches...
A Peek Inside the Crypt of Civilization
One of the things I love most about archives is the way they allow us to connect directly with the past. When I come across something interesting, I feel as though I’ve discovered a piece of hidden truth or insight that has been left just for me...
From Patents to Poetry: A Breakdown of Scientific American`s Very First Issue
Earlier this month, Nature Publishing Group and Scientific American proudly launched the completion of Scientific American 's archives, dating back to the first issue from August 28, 1845...
A Very Happy Birthday to a Very Special Lady
The Statue of Liberty. She is a symbol of freedom, an icon of New York City, and today is her birthday. In honor to celebrate, I’d like to share some images from an article from the August 14th, 1886 Scientific American that highlighted the methods of assembling Lady Liberty...
Cycling through the Archives: Trick Riding
What better way to get back into the archives than on two wheels? I’ve been inspired by tomorrow’s NYC Tweed Run, an event that celebrates a bygone era of bicycling culture, to present one of my favorite finds from Scientific American’s past: trick riding.Trick riding became widely popular in the late 1880s and 1890s in Europe and America...
Metropolitan Metamorphosis: The Creation of the City, 1870 to 1965 [Slide Show]
A visual tour of past efforts, many better left unrealized, that have shaped the way we live and work in cities—as seen in the pages of Scientific American
After 136 Years of Overcrowding, Straphangers Still Look for Relief
If you live or work in a city, chances are you've ridden public transportation during rush hours. And, if you ride public transportation during rush hours, chances are you've found yourself without a seat the entire trip...
Want to Become a Sharp Dresser? Sport a Knife in Your Collar
No matter how far human society progresses, there will always be criminal acts of violence. While many of the crimes have stayed the same, methods of self-defense looked a little different one hundred and fifty-four years ago...
Odd Bicycles from the Archives, or Ways to Cheat in Cycling Besides Doping
This past Monday, the first doping scandal of the 2011 Tour de France was announced. Russian rider Alexandr Kolobnev tested positive for the diuretic hydrochlorothiazide (used to mask other doping agents) and has since voluntarily left the race while his urine is tested for further substances...
Picture the Moon: A Look Back at Lunar Photographs
While astrophotography has become more detailed and enriched in the last 50 years with the invention of things like color filters and digital processing, early lunar images offer more beauty and sense of wonder to the viewer...
Hold Your Horses with Electricity
Since its discovery, electricity has helped humans make labor and tools more efficient. From lighting to toothbrushes, electricity has aided us in making our lives simpler and more convenient...
A Closer Look at New York City's Tap Water Monsters
New York City is renowned for its great-tasting tap water, which is said to be amongst the purest in the country. However, when viewed under a microscope, the sight tends to disagree with the taste...
As the Wheel Turns: Syria's Past and Present
Over the last few months, Syria has been making headlines almost daily as the struggles between the government and protesters have become increasingly violent.
