HowStuffWorks

  • Most Topular Stories

  • How Glassblowing Works

    HowStuffWorks Daily Feed
    27 Jan 2012 | 8:15 am
    The practice of blowing glass may seem hip and modern if you've recently hit up an art exhibition by Dale Chihuly or Harvey Littleton. But the history of glassblowing is actually long and rich, dating back to the Roman Empire.

  • How does WikiLeaks work?

    BrainStuff
    27 Jan 2012 | 11:30 am
    WikiLeaks is a controversial "not-for-profit media organization" that disseminates secret, leaked information to the public. But how exactly does this group work? And why does it exist? Marshall Brain takes a look at WikiLeaks in this episode.

  • World of Coca-Cola

    The Coolest Stuff on the Planet
    27 Jan 2012 | 11:35 am
    How did Coca-Cola help invent marketing? And reinvent Santa Claus? What’s the worst tasting soda out there? Tune in for a closer look at the iconic World of Coca-Cola.

  • How do manufacturers test cars?

    CarStuff
    26 Jan 2012 | 11:14 am
    By the time a car model hits the market, it's been through thousands of extensive tests. Every year, car companies spend millions of dollars ensuring a vehicle's reliability before it reaches consumers. Learn more in this episode.

  • Are soft drinks killing us?

    Stuff Mom Never Told You
    25 Jan 2012 | 10:51 am
    Could a 1-cent soft drink tax really save millions of lives? What are the health impacts of drinking soda? Are diet soft drinks better for you? Join Cristen and Caroline as they look at the relationship between soft drinks and health.
  • add this feed to my.Alltop

    HowStuffWorks Daily Feed

  • How Glassblowing Works

    27 Jan 2012 | 8:15 am
    The practice of blowing glass may seem hip and modern if you've recently hit up an art exhibition by Dale Chihuly or Harvey Littleton. But the history of glassblowing is actually long and rich, dating back to the Roman Empire.

  • The Super-Backstory Quiz: How well do you know your irradiated orphans from outer space?

    27 Jan 2012 | 8:15 am
    You may have seen the latest versions of Batman, Spider-man, Captain America and their super-bretheren, but how much do you know about their backstories? Test your super-knowledge with this quiz about the origins of some of these larger-than-life good guys (and a few bad ones, too).

  • The Ultimate Mel Brooks Movies Quiz

    27 Jan 2012 | 8:15 am
    Mel Brooks is the master of satire and parody, mocking everything from wild westerns to wacky space flicks. All that comedy gold has won him Tonys, Emmys, Oscars, Grammys and the right to say "It is good to be the King."

  • Assignment Discovery: Creation of Crew Rescue Vehicle

    27 Jan 2012 | 8:15 am
    The creation of the Crew Return Vehicle (X-38) is an international effort. Learn more about contributions to the CRV on Discovery Channel's "Assignment Discovery."

  • How Molecular Gastronomy Works

    27 Jan 2012 | 8:15 am
    Are you hungry for some nitro-scrambled egg-and-bacon ice cream? Did you want a little fried mayo on that sandwich? Molecular gastronomy has cast cooking in a new light and created some seemingly bizarre, but shockingly delicious dishes.
 
  • add this feed to my.Alltop

    BrainStuff

  • How does WikiLeaks work?

    27 Jan 2012 | 11:30 am
    WikiLeaks is a controversial "not-for-profit media organization" that disseminates secret, leaked information to the public. But how exactly does this group work? And why does it exist? Marshall Brain takes a look at WikiLeaks in this episode.

  • Why is organic food more expensive than regular food?

    25 Jan 2012 | 10:53 am
    You've probably noticed that organic foods cost significantly more than non-organic ones, but have you ever wondered why? In this episode, Marshall Brain explains how higher production costs and other factors lead to higher prices in the grocery store.

  • How can water cut through steel?

    23 Jan 2012 | 12:17 pm
    Waterjets are tools that use highly pressurized, focused streams of water to cut through metal and other solid materials. Learn more about waterjets in this episode.

  • How valuable is exercise to your health?

    20 Jan 2012 | 1:54 pm
    We all know that exercise is an important way to safeguard your health. But how, exactly? In this episode, Marshall discusses the health benefits of exercise -- and how much we need each week in order to take advantage of these benefits.

  • Are all blood types needed for donation?

    18 Jan 2012 | 10:34 am
    In this episode, Marshall explains how proteins determine your blood type -- and why blood types must match for blood transfusions to be successful.
  • add this feed to my.Alltop

    The Coolest Stuff on the Planet

  • World of Coca-Cola

    27 Jan 2012 | 11:35 am
    How did Coca-Cola help invent marketing? And reinvent Santa Claus? What’s the worst tasting soda out there? Tune in for a closer look at the iconic World of Coca-Cola.

  • The Painted Beauties of Bucovina

    20 Jan 2012 | 2:01 pm
    Who created these monasteries in Romania? Why is the Voronet monastery called the Sistine Chapel of the East? Why are there different colors predominating on different buildings? Join Kathryn and Rachel as they take a closer look at Romania.

  • A Taste of Tassie

    13 Jan 2012 | 11:20 am
    Where exactly is Tasmania, and why does it have the cleanest air on Earth? What is the Tasmanian devil? Is there really a Tasmanian tiger? How many islands make up Tasmania? Join Kathryn and Rachel as they take a closer look at Tasmania.

  • Walking on the Moon in Idaho

    6 Jan 2012 | 10:36 am
    How did the Craters of the Moon National Monument get its name? Why did NASA pilots visit? Why did early pioneers call this place “the devil’s vomit?" Tune in for the answers to these questions and more in this episode.

  • Lucky New Year!

    30 Dec 2011 | 8:39 am
    Why are some foods considered to be lucky at year-end celebrations? Eat a Lucky New Year Meal! Who puts fish scales in their pockets? Tune in and learn the coolest stuff about the end of the year.
 
  • add this feed to my.Alltop

    CarStuff

  • How do manufacturers test cars?

    26 Jan 2012 | 11:14 am
    By the time a car model hits the market, it's been through thousands of extensive tests. Every year, car companies spend millions of dollars ensuring a vehicle's reliability before it reaches consumers. Learn more in this episode.

  • Should I buy or lease a car?

    24 Jan 2012 | 9:43 am
    To lease or not to lease, that is the question. Finding the answer depends on many factors, such as an individual's daily driving habits and level of financial commitment. Learn more about the pros -- and cons -- of each choice in this episode.

  • How RVs Work

    19 Jan 2012 | 9:14 am
    Recreational vehicles come in a range of sizes, from small trailers to bus-sized rolling apartments. Some RV enthusiasts use these vehicles for camping, while others may live in the RV all year. Tune in to learn more in this episode of CarStuff.

  • Signs of Engine Trouble

    17 Jan 2012 | 12:31 pm
    Engines are often the most important parts of any vehicle, and your car can't go far without one. Luckily, an engine will often give you a few warning signs before disaster strikes. Tune in and get the low-down on 5 key signs of engine trouble.

  • Did da Vinci sketch a primitive car?

    12 Jan 2012 | 11:19 am
    Interested in just about everything, Leonardo da Vinci was a true Renaissance man. He sketched concepts that wouldn't be invented for centuries -- and even something that looks suspiciously like a car. Learn more in this episode.
  • add this feed to my.Alltop

    Stuff Mom Never Told You

  • Are soft drinks killing us?

    25 Jan 2012 | 10:51 am
    Could a 1-cent soft drink tax really save millions of lives? What are the health impacts of drinking soda? Are diet soft drinks better for you? Join Cristen and Caroline as they look at the relationship between soft drinks and health.

  • Do men or women exercise more?

    23 Jan 2012 | 12:08 pm
    Sure, men and women have different exercise motivations -- but which group exercises more? Join Caroline and Cristen as they look at gender and exercise, from why single men exercise more than anyone else to why men’s exercise pays off more than women’s.

  • A DIY Guide to Martha Stewart

    18 Jan 2012 | 10:32 am
    How did Martha Stewart get her start? How did she lose -- and recover -- her reputation and wealth? Is Martha Stewart good for women? Tune in for the answers to these questions and more.

  • Is there a normal pregnancy weight gain?

    16 Jan 2012 | 7:59 am
    How much weight do women gain during pregnancy? What exactly is pregnorexia? Is it true that men can gain pregnancy weight, too? Join Caroline and Cristen as they take a closer look at pregnancy and weight gain.

  • A SMNTY Chat With Grammar Girl

    11 Jan 2012 | 1:25 pm
    In this episode, Cristen and Caroline interview Mignon Fogarty, aka Grammar Girl. Listen in to learn if men and women pay attention to grammar differently, and if it's acceptable to refer to women as girls.
 
 
  • add this feed to my.Alltop

    The Stuff of Genius

  • Mr. Alexanderson and the Long-Range Radio

    27 Jan 2012 | 11:31 am
    Before Ernst Alexanderson designed the high-frequency alternators that transmitted radio broadcasts in a continuous wave, radio was not usable over long distances. Tune in and learn more Stuff of Genius in this video podcast from HowStuffWorks.com.

  • Peter Henlein and the Wristwatch

    20 Jan 2012 | 1:58 pm
    Nowadays, wristwatches aren't anything to write home about... but this wasn't always the case. Learn how locksmiths like Peter Henlein miniaturized the dubious clocks of the day to create portable timepieces in this podcast from HowStuffWorks.com.

  • How Willis Carrier Made the World a Little Cooler

    13 Jan 2012 | 11:17 am
    When Willis Carrier set out to solve inking problems for a local printing press, he didn't set out to change the world. Luckily for us, he did. Tune in and learn the story behind the modern air conditioning unit in this podcast.

  • John Shepherd-Barron and the ATM

    6 Jan 2012 | 10:35 am
    John Shepherd-Barron usually stopped by his local bank on Saturdays to cash checks. But when he arrived one minute after they closed, he was out of luck. Tune in and learn how John's irritating experience led to the Stuff of Genius in this episode.

  • Joshua Silver and the Self-Adjustable Glasses

    30 Dec 2011 | 8:37 am
    Professor Joshua Silver isn't an optometrist, but his self-adjustable eyeglasses have improved the vision of people across the developing world. Tune in and learn how this Oxford physicist plans to improve the vision of a billion people by 2020.
  • add this feed to my.Alltop

    Stuff You Missed in History Class

  • H.H. Holmes and the Mysteries of Murder Castle, Part 2

    25 Jan 2012 | 10:55 am
    In the first part of this episode, Deblina and Sarah covered Herman K. Mudgett's early life, including how he first became known as H.H. Holmes. But how did Holmes manage to complete his murder castle? What happened to him afterwards? Tune in to find out.

  • H.H. Holmes and the Mysteries of Murder Castle, Part 1

    23 Jan 2012 | 12:21 pm
    As a student, Herman K. Mudgett used corpses to commit insurance fraud. In 1886, he moved to Chicago under the alias H.H. Holmes. In 1888, Holmes started constructing a building with secret passageways and an airtight vault. So, what was it for?

  • Fridtjof Nansen and the Fram: Part 2

    18 Jan 2012 | 10:37 am
    Norwegian Fridtjof Nansen was an expert skier, zoologist and artist: By combining these skills, he became one of Norway's earliest heroes. Listen in as Deblina and Sarah look at the life and times of Fridtjof Nansen in the second part of this episode.

  • Fridtjof Nansen and the Fram: Part 1

    16 Jan 2012 | 8:05 am
    Fridtjof Nansen was an artist, skier, zoologist and one of Norway's earliest heroes. The first part of this episode covers his early adventures, while part two covers his humanitarian career. Tune in to learn more about his first major expeditions.

  • W.C. Minor: Madness, Murder and a Dictionary (Part 2)

    11 Jan 2012 | 12:54 pm
    When we last left the story of W.C. Minor, he'd fatally shot a man in London. In the conclusion of this episode, Sarah and Deblina look at the events that led Minor to become one of the Oxford English Dictionary's most prolific contributors.
  • add this feed to my.Alltop

    Stuff You Should Know

  • How Floods Work

    26 Jan 2012 | 11:18 am
    Floods happen when more water is introduced to an area than can be quickly removed. That’s about it, but there's more to floods, what causes them and the havoc they can wreak. Join Josh and Chuck in this super-saturated episode of Stuff You Should Know.

  • How Human Trafficking Works

    24 Jan 2012 | 9:41 am
    Despite worldwide prohibitions, slavery still exists. Slaves are forced or coerced into prostitution or made to work in deplorable factory conditions. Yet there’s still debate over how widespread the problem is. Learn about modern slavery in this episode.

  • How Mexican Wrestling Works

    19 Jan 2012 | 9:12 am
    Perhaps it’s the colorful masks or the high-flying, rapid-fire acrobatic moves. Whatever it is, there’s something uniquely and particularly entrancing about Mexican wrestling, called lucha libre. Learn more about lucha libre in this episode of SYSK.

  • Are contrails actually chemtrails?

    17 Jan 2012 | 12:30 pm
    You know those trails that jets leave in the sky? While science has explained why they happen, plenty of conspiracy theorists believe there’s more to it. Join Josh and Chuck as they channel the guys from Stuff They Don’t Want You to Know in this episode.

  • What’s the deal with the Bermuda Triangle?

    12 Jan 2012 | 11:17 am
    There’s roughly 500,000 squares miles encompassed in a triangle with points in Miami, Bermuda and San Juan. There shouldn’t be anything different about this area, but some people believe it’s a hotbed of supernatural activity. Tune in to learn why.
 
  • add this feed to my.Alltop

    TechStuff

  • The HP Story: Part Two

    25 Jan 2012 | 10:54 am
    How did HP transition into new kinds of electronics? What was HP’s first computer? Did HP invent the term personal computer? Tune in for the second part of TechStuff's HP episode.

  • The HP Story: Part One

    23 Jan 2012 | 12:19 pm
    Who were Hewlett and Packard? When did they form the company? What was their first product? Join your favorite tech gurus as they look back at the origin of Hewlett-Packard in the first segment of this two-part episode.

  • TechStuff looks at Radio Telescopes

    18 Jan 2012 | 10:35 am
    What is a radio telescope? How can we “see” with radio waves? Why are radio telescopes so large? Join Chris and Jonathan as they explore the nuts and bolts of radio telescopes.

  • Open vs. Closed: A TechStuff Debate

    16 Jan 2012 | 8:03 am
    What are the benefits of each type of system? What are the drawbacks? Who won the debate? Tune in as Jonathan and Chris explores the respective pros and cons on each side of the great debate between open and closed systems.

  • TechStuff Looks at the Digital Divide

    11 Jan 2012 | 1:23 pm
    What is the digital divide? Is there a way to bridge the gap? Will giving people access to technology solve the problem? Listen in as Jonathan and Chris explore the digital divide.
Log in