A Victorian theory that Mars was once artificially irrigated by a desperate advanced civilization
John Cazale, the actor who appeared in only five movies, all nominated for the Best Picture Academy Award
A dance to die for: The mysterious phenomenon of Medieval Europe that drove people to dance until collapse
Martin Cooper, one of several inventors inspired by “Star Trek,” came up with the first mobile phone as early as 1973
That time a strange man accepted the Oscar for the Best Supporting Actress in 1937 meant for Alice Brady
The dandy decorating “The New Yorker” for nearly a century is based on Count Alfred D’Orsay, ultimate man of fashion
The Seven Sisters of Moscow: The peculiar history of Stalin’s Skyscrapers
The beak-nosed plague-doctor mask that continues to terrify was invented in the 17th century because of bad smells
Portugal’s wondrous azulejos: Ceramic art touted by a 15th century king, revived and cherished in the 20th century
India’s “The Musalman” is the only daily hand-written newspaper in the world–one mistake, and a page must be completely reworked
