Rest in Pieces, HITCHBot
This little robot traveled all around the world and had tons of crazy adventures. (We wrote about him in Robotica!) Then he made the mistake of trying to hitch a ride in Philadelphia.
Daily Dispatch
6 Weird August Holidays You Ought to Celebrate
It’s common knowledge that August is the only month without any “real holidays.” But this list of observances prove…that common knowledge is often correct.
The Great Otter Pop Protest of ‘96
The story of how a group of kids banded together to save their favorite, uh, freezer pop.
3 Bank Robberies Inspired By Movies
Determined crooks have used all sorts of methods to nab cash and run. The Thomas Crown Affair Affair With similarities to the 1999 remake of The Thomas Crown Affair, a bank robber staged a daring heist in October 2008. Much like in the one that concludes the film, he used several human decoys to steal […]
Musical Acts That Changed Their Name Post-Fame
Irish/English band the Pogues is probably best known for the drinking habits of its legendarily unreliable lead singer Shane Macgowan (as well as its Celtic-infused hit “Fairytale of New York”).
Ask Uncle John Anything: You Give Me (Hay) Fever
It starts in March, and it seems to last forever: allergy season. For about four to five months, more than 60 million Americans have to choose between suffering from the symptoms of hay fever (technical name: allergy rhinitis).
This is Why You’re Afraid of Clowns
The full-on fear of clowns, or coulrophobia, is rare, but plenty of people can’t stand clowns. Why?
Welcome to Iowa…Or Is It Nebraska?
The weird story of Carter Lake, an Iowa city that’s actually in Nebraska.
The Tragic Fencing Death of Vladimir Smirnov
If it seems like a sport that’s just two people sticking swords at each other could result in death…it absolutely could. And did.
Car Talk: Automobile Records and Firsts
What did the first police car look like? What about the first solar car? Learn about these and other automobile firsts in this article from Uncle John’s Bathroom Reader History’s Lists.
The Tale of Polybius, the Deadly Arcade Game That Probably Doesn’t Exist
One of video gaming’s craziest and earliest urban legends.
7 Fun Facts About American Currency
Did you know, Just under half of all money in circulation are $1 bills? Here are other fun facts about the American currency.
6 Quick Facts About NFL’s First Female Coach: Jen Welter
Welter just made history: She’s the NFL’s first female coach. Here are some quick facts about her.
Ask Uncle John Anything: We’ve Got Crackers
Uncle John knows pretty much everything—and if he doesn’t, he heads his massive research library, or puts one of his many associates on the case. So go ahead: In the comments below, ask Uncle John anything. (And if we answer your question sometime, we’ll send you a free book!) How did oyster crackers get their […]
Meet Dr. Seuss
We are celebrating the release of the new Dr. Seuss book, What Pet Should I Get. It’s Oh, the Places You’ll Go! gift-giving season again, so here’s a look at the former Theodor Seuss Geisel. He adopted “Seuss” as his writing name while attending Dartmouth College. The reason: He was caught with a half-pint of […]
3 Places With Bad Insect Problems
Looking to book a vacation? You may want to think twice about visiting these locales during certain times of the year.
The Week in Beer News
All the latest news about brews, brought to you by Uncle John’s Beer-Topia. Beerhemian Rhapsody There are lots of beers named after musicians (or brewed with the cooperation of musicians), including ones inspired by Motohead, Smash Mouth, Wilco, and Slayer. The classic rock band Queen is getting one, too. To celebrate the anniversary of “Bohemian […]
3 Interesting Celebrity Museums
You’ve been to Graceland and you’ve visited the Roy Rogers Museum, but you’re still hungry for a celebrity fix? Here are some other destinations for your next road trip. The Ernest Hemingway Museum House Location: Key West, Florida Features: Hemingway, his wife Pauline, and their two sons lived in this two-story Spanish Colonial-style home from […]
