308 Items Tagged

Objects Of Intrigue

objects of intrigue

How to Solve Voter Fraud, 19th-Century Style: A Glass Ballot Box

It was the best way to achieve literal transparency in democracy.

Mariana Zapata November 8, 2016

objects of intrigue

The Best Political Cartoon In History Is This Fake Banknote from the Panic of 1837

This $.75 bill features a human-faced dung beetle, a donkey pooping money, and Andrew Jackson in flag drag.

Cara Giaimo November 1, 2016

objects of intrigue

The 1800s Medical Device That Promised Cures by Repeatedly Stabbing Patients

The Life Awakener contraption gave patients "healing" pustules.

Lauren Young October 18, 2016

objects of intrigue

How to Incorporate Human Remains Into Your Dinner Party

Step one: crush 200 bones into a fine powder.

Lauren Young October 11, 2016

objects of intrigue

This Beautiful Art Nouveau Telescope Can Be Yours

Got a spare $125,000?

Ella Morton October 4, 2016

objects of intrigue

These Autograph Albums Are Filled With Ghostly Inkblots

Can you decipher the signatures within these splattered, ambigious shapes?

Lauren Young September 20, 2016

objects of intrigue

The First Ever Stethoscope Was a Simple Wooden Tube

Happy 200th birthday, respiratory instrument!

Atlas Obscura September 6, 2016

objects of intrigue

One of the 100 Desks in the U.S. Senate Chamber Is Full of Candy

A certain Republican has a sweet secret.

Ella Morton August 30, 2016

objects of intrigue

Joining the Caterpillar Club Is as Easy as Escaping a Fiery Plane

A golden bug worn on the lapel could indicate a life of adventure.

Ella Morton August 23, 2016

objects of intrigue

The Battle Over Net Neutrality Started With the 1920s-Era 'Hush-A-Phone'

How an early telephone silencer took on AT&T.

Lauren Young August 16, 2016

objects of intrigue

When Ancient Romans Had Their Clothes Stolen, They Responded With Curse Tablets

The gods shall punish toga thieves.

Carly Silver August 9, 2016

objects of intrigue

The Alarming Aesthetics of Jazz Age Perm Machines

Mix dangling wires and asbestos to achieve the perfect flapper wave.

Ella Morton August 2, 2016

objects of intrigue

How a 4-Year-Old's Letter to His Father Survived the Civil War

Scribbles from home, kept safe on the battlefield.

Ella Morton July 26, 2016

objects of intrigue

Leonardo da Vinci Designed a Nightmare Scuba Suit

The perfect summer outfit for your dystopian marine nightmares.

Cara Giaimo July 19, 2016

objects of intrigue

The Victorian Tool for Everything From Hernias to Sex—a Vibrating Electric Belt

How a medical invention abused the electrotherapy fad.

Lauren Young July 12, 2016

objects of intrigue

The Man-Made Gut Stones Once Used to Thwart Assassination Attempts

Gilded Goa Stones couldn't cure poison, but they sure were beautiful.

Eric Grundhauser July 5, 2016

objects of intrigue

Who Needs a Weather App When You Can Get This Weather Stick?

Swap your Apple phone for an actual branch.

Tao Tao Holmes June 28, 2016

objects of intrigue

'No One’s Got A Crush On Peter' and More from the Forgotten Spider-Man Rock Opera

It was 1975 and the world needed a superhero's prog-rock anthems.

Eric Grundhauser June 21, 2016