Telegraph offices were staffed by young boys - but as telephone operators... they were less than a perfect fit. So in 1878, the first woman became an operator, and changed the face - and voice - of an industry.
drinks
The Daguerreotype’s Moment in the Sun
In the 1830s, French artist-chemist-inventor Louis-Jacques-Mandé Daguerre developed the Daguerreotype, a major advancement toward modern photography.
Mailing Children Through the US Post
When the US Postal Service first launched Parcel Post, they set a rule about no parcels over 50 pounds in weight - but they didn't specifically say no live human children...
‘Proof’ Connects Distillation to the Heart of Civilization
Adam Rogers' new book "Proof: The Science of Booze" investigates how humans discovered the techniques of fermentation and distillation, the great lengths to which some go to perfect those techniques, and why alcohol makes us human beings.
Speeding Through a History of Speeding Tickets
From the first-ever speeding citation in 1899 to the biggest speeding fine in 2010 in under two quick minutes.
Getting Stuck with Velcro
How an Alpine plant inspired the space-age 'zipperless zipper' we know as Velcro.
Sipping the Golden State in a Poppy Liqueur
Golden Poppies, California's state flower, are at their peak bloom season in May. One California distillery hopes to bottle their beauty.
From ‘Planet X’ to Pluto
This week, back in 1930, Pluto was officially named. And of course we don’t mean the Disney character.
Ping Pong Diplomacy with “Chairman Wow”
This week back in 1971, a chance encounter between two ping pong players — one American, one Chinese — led to a thaw in the cold war, and paved the way for President Nixon’s biggest political coup.
Getting Steamed Up Over the Best Milk for Coffee
Most of the latte you buy at a coffee shop is, as the name implies, milk. Serious shops know the importance of sourcing or making dairy and non-dairy milks that are truly worthy of topping your perfectly-pulled espresso.