Inventions & Science

On October 29, 1969, Stanford programmer Bill Duvall sent a single-word message—"login"—to UCLA student programmer Charley Kline, 350 miles away. Transmitted between two computers that each filled an entire room, this message marked the first communication between networked computers and is widely regarded as the birth of the internet.

Grace Hopper, pioneer of computer science, lived in Virginia later in life and is buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

Hollywood actress Hedy Lamarr is remembered for more than her acting—she invented a signal-hopping technology used in Wi-Fi.

A failed attempt to create a super-strong adhesive accidentally results in a weak, reusable one—leading to the unlikely invention of the Post-it Note, which goes on to become one of the world’s most recognizable tools for work and creativity.

Uncover the fascinating journey of nuclear technology, from its origins and weapons to its transformative impact on energy, medicine and global security.

A failed wallpaper cleaning product gets a second chance as a classroom craft and accidentally becomes one of America’s most iconic toys.

In 1803 Italy, a scientist tests the idea that the body runs on electricity using an executed prisoner, sparking eerie questions about reanimation.

Remember when playtime meant tempting fate? From toy belts that fired speeding projectiles to high-powered pogo sticks that sent us soaring, these perilous playthings were made for kids—but their risks were anything but child’s play.

Early driving was risky—rumble seats, built-in cigarette lighters and fire-prone cars made even short trips dangerous.

Many everyday tools—from zippers to Super Glue to computers—originated as military inventions.

From dentures that could explode at the dinner table and stiff shirt collars that could strangle us, to toxic hair implants, the pursuit of the perfect look once pushed people to surprisingly dangerous lengths.