-
Read Edgar Allen Poe
The detective story, bizarre Gothic horror, love, grief, and guilt — Edgar Allen Poe's contribution to literature has stood the test of time. His stories still haunt, and the man himself looked like a character from his own tales. This video from TED explains why reading Poe is still necessary, and how the author crafted tales that feel just as terrifying over 150 years later.
The Origins of OK
You say, or more likely text, "OK" hundreds of times a day. The two-letter word is used worldwide to describe your mood, provide approval, or give acceptance. Taken from the phrase "oll korrect," the history of the expression dates back to 1839 going from a newspaper, to a political campaign, to quite possibly the most used word around the globe.
The Most Advanced Nerf Blaster on Earth
Zack Freedman has made the most technologically advanced NERF blaster on Earth — the EOX Meta Breaker. Based on the NERF Rapid Strike, the EOX Meta Breaker has OLED screens and an NFC system that keeps track of rounds and magazines and selects the current fire mode by tapping custom cards. The Meta Breaker can fire at speeds up to 20 rounds per second, making it the most advanced weapon on the NERF battlefield.
Turkish Airlines LEGO Safety Video
Most of us never pay attention to those safety videos before every flight. We know where the exits are, how to fasten our seatbelts, and how to properly adjust an oxygen mask in the event of an emergency. Turkish Airlines had a great idea on how to get everyone, adults and kids alike, to watch — just add characters from the LEGO movies. This is something you'll definitely watch, and you might even learn something new.
Adam Savage Builds The EDC 2 Bag
Last year, Adam Savage launched his first everyday carry bag. The designer/host is following up that project by adding to the collection with the EDC 2. Along with the bag, he is also selling the plans to make your own which he demonstrates himself in his latest One Day Build.
The Strange Geography of the United States
Geography seems like a pretty cut-and-dry subject — until you start breaking it down. New York City, with its cold winters, is roughly on the same latitude as Madrid, Spain, which is renowned for its good weather. RealLifeLore finds this and a lot of other strange quirks of geography in this surprising video.
-
Hims Anti-Aging Kit
Aging can be scary. No — your bar of soap isn't enough to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. hims is a one-stop shop for men's wellness offering direct shipment of medical-grade products backed by science to help you reduce the appearance of aging. The anti-aging cream's key ingredient is tretinoin, which can renew and restore collagen in the skin. It takes seconds to apply and is the same custom prescription treatment celebrities use- except you don't have to visit some fancy dermatologist or pay high prices to get it. Try hims today for $20 off.
Presented by hims.
Aulta Kainoa Chronograph Watch
Born in the Hawaiian waters, Aulta makes high-quality timepieces that won't break the bank. The Kainoa is the latest watch in their growing collection and their most ambitious to date. It's versatile enough for your business casual attire but really thrives with a pair of trunks and surfboard thanks to the 44mm stainless steel case's gasket sealed screw down crown, superluminova hand fill and dial markings, and 100 meters of water resistance. Each watch is powered by rock solid Japanese Miyota chronograph movement and finished with a black ballistic nylon strap.
Presented by Aulta.
-
Adam Savage's 1000 Shot NERF Blaster
Adam Savage's favorite NERF blaster in the Rival. The Rival can fire 100 consecutive shots, but Adam thought he could improve it — and improve it he did. Adam fabbed up a huge banana clip that holds up to 1000 rounds, ensuring that this NERF blaster will outlast whatever competition it faces.
Plastics 101
National Geographic has a history of thought-provoking covers but their June issue was one of the most captivating in recent years. The now iconic iceberg made from a grocery bag has everyone talking about plastic. Formerly a natural product, the man-made material now accounts for 18 billion pounds of pollution in our oceans. In line with the launch of their "Planet or Plastic?" campaign, NatGeo has released this video covering the history of the product as well as ways to reduce its waste.
The Utility of Building Useless Things
Simone Giertz isn't a professional engineer — or even that good of one. Her mechanical monstrosities are largely failures — and that's important. In this TED talk, Simone explains why building useless things is important and the creativity of failing.
Designing Impenetrable Airport Security
When it was announced that the Transportation Safety Administration had failed to find weapons in 95% of airport tests, the news was shocking. But while the results look bad, there hasn't been a terrorist attack involving airplanes in the US since 9/11. A solution might be the controversial practices of Israel's Ben Gurion airport, probably the most secure airport in the world.
A Guide to Professional Photography
You've mastered portraits and are ready to start taking pictures for a living. You're off to a great start but there's more to changing your photography status from amateur to professional than a dedicated Instagram following and some fancy equipment. There's also finding clients and promoting your work. With a seven-step guide, Cooph is here to coach you along the way to going pro.
The Great American Read
Reading is one of the most important shared cultural aspects of American society. Online or off, reading is the primary way we exchange ideas and information — and books play a huge part in this. PBS' The Great American Read need you to vote for your favorite book as they put together a list of the 100 most popular reads in the US.
Blade Runner Snub-Nosed Blaster Build
Adam Savage is a Blade Runner fanatic. He's built numerous replicas of the Blade Runner blaster and even owns an actual prop from the film. In this one-day build, Adam and Norman each make their own take on a blaster that wasn't actually in the films — the Goldberg Arms snub-nosed blaster.
The Crazy Story Of A Real Life Treasure Hunt
Treasure hunts aren't just for pirates. Kit Williams proved so when with his 1979 book "Masquerade." The puzzle book was filled with clues leading to an 18 karat gold bunny buried in a secret location. It took over two years before the treasure was found by a man named Ken Thomas. This is where the story gets weird — there is no Ken Thomas. Nerdwriter dives into the bizarre tale of this real-life treasure hunt.
-
Forsake Range High Boot
Created with the benefits of a comfortable, supportive sneaker and the rugged durability of a lightweight hiking boot, Forsake's Range High is one of the most versatile sneakerboots on the market. Each pair of sneakerboots features a waterproof and breathable membrane within a seam-sealed leather upper for protection against any type of weather. The boots also have a Vibram Megagrip outsole with an extra wide footprint that is as well suited for an urban commute as it is for an off-the-grid trail. Available in black and grey or brown and tan and as a low top.
Presented by Forsake.
Heimplanet x Uncrate The Cave Tent
Geodesic domes are incredibly strong for their weight, making them an ideal shape for a tent. Our stealth version of Heimplanet's original tent retains all the features that made it an icon. Thanks to double-layer airbeams, all setup consists of is rolling out the tent, closing the valves, and using the included pump to inflate the entire structure. The diamond-like grid provides support for the polyester ripstop flysheet and ripstop nylon inner tent, while a vestibule keeps the entrance dry and a detachable gear loft offers added storage. A multi-chamber safety system allows compromised pieces of the airframe to be isolated and repaired or replaced, and the geodesic design offers an additional benefit: the ability to hold strong in high winds.
As seen in Uncrate Issue 04.
Ground Area: 54 sq. ft. / Sleeps: 2-3 / Height (Overall): 50" / Height (Interior): 40" / Pack Size: 16" x 13" x 9" / Weight: 10.6 lbs.
Included: Pegs, Repair Kit, Guy Lines, Pack Sack, Gear Loft, Pump w/Adapter
-
The Government Grows Weed
Yes, the US government grows weed. In one place. Under strictly controlled circumstances. The University of Mississippi is the only place in the country that has a DEA license to grow marijuana for research purposes, and they've been doing it for 50 years. Mashable sat down with Dr. Chen, Director of the UCLA Cannabis Research Initiative, for the inside story of the government's history of growing pot.
The History of Acanthus Leaves in Architecture
You've probably seen acanthus leaves hundreds of times in your life. Whether you ever noticed them or not, they're just about everywhere. The sculpted plants adorn the tops, or tops if you want to get technical, of Corinthian columns. The design dates back to 550 B.C. and has managed to remain an architectural staple for over a millennium.
Voice-Activated Fire Blaster
Alexa can play your favorite music, dim your lights, and reorder the paper towels. Colin Furze is adding a more sinister task to her resume by giving Amazon's hands-free speaker the power to shoot blasts of fire. With some help from James Bruton, the mad inventor programmed the smart home device and a fire extinguisher to become a voice-activated fire blaster.
How To Fold World Record Paper Airplanes
You could say John Collins is a paper plane expert. Designing and folding them himself, he turns humble pieces of paper into record-holding flying machines. He's even earned himself the nickname "The Paper Airplane Guy." In this video, he shares his knowledge with the masses by showing how to recreate his World Record-holding plane, Suzanne.
How Dark Patterns Trick You Online
Websites are a band of shady tricksters. Using something called Dark Patterns, companies like Amazon and Facebook keep you forever in their grasps by making simple tasks like deleting your account nearly impossible. In this video, Nerdwriter unveils the secrets behind this sneaky design feature and how to be aware of them.
DIY Aluminum Foil Knife
Usually, you'd use aluminum foil to cook your food but here, the material has been repurposed to take on the prep side. Created by Kiwami Japan, the unconventional knife maker layers sheets of foil and sands it within an inch of its life to create a makeshift blade that MacGyver himself would be proud of.
-
How To Break Your Bad Habit
Some of us smoke. Some of us eat fast food. Some of us procrastinate. Some of us procrastinate by smoking while we eat fast food. The bottom line is we all have bad habits that are hard to break. In their latest whiteboard lesson, AsapSCIENCE explains why you're really craving that cookie and how to stop these patterns for good.
Lego Prosthetic Arm
David Aguilar grew up like any normal kid. He loved tinkering and playing with Legos — despite having been born with a deformed arm. Now 18, David has perfected a prosthetic arm made from Lego's Technic bricks, capable of opening doors, picking up objects, and strong enough for pushups.
-
What Happens in a Lifetime
The average lifespan is about 28,689 days or about 78 years for those in the US. So what happens in those 78 trips around the Sun? Lots of things. AsapScience looks at what humans can do in the course of a lifetime, from bathtubs full of saliva to 16 years spent int he office.
The Broccoli Tree
In this short video, Hank Green recounts the rise and fall of The Broccoli Tree. It was made famous by photographer Patrik Svedberg, even spawning its own Instagram page. It brought many people, over 27,000 to be exact until an angry internet troll tried to saw it down. Through this, we've learned not only that you can't un-saw a tree, but also the risks and the rewards of sharing what we love.
The Case for Museums
For thousands of years, humans have stored some of our most important cultural possessions in museums. But the idea of a museum being available to the public is a much more recent phenomenon. PBS looks at the history of museums and why they're important — for all of us, and not just the wealthy.
The History Of Dazzle Camouflage
Ships are hard to hide but with the addition of U-boats in WWI, these massive vessels needed a way to dodge incoming torpedoes. That's where artist Norman Wilkinson came in. Taking inspiration from cubist painters, he developed Dazzle Camouflage. The method didn't make ships invisible, but its bizarre patterns and bright colors confused u-boats and therefore misdirecting their fire.
Homeopathy Explained
Everyone has an aunt or friend that swears by homeopathic medicine. Before you write them off as crazy, you must first understand their alternative methods. Kurzgesagt gives an animated lesson in the principals of Homeopathy and explains how the remedies actually work.
Lego Technics Snowblower
This Lego Technics snowblower makes you wonder what can't be built with Legos. Some very ingenious work from The Brick Wall made this along with a few household parts. This fully-functional piece of heavy equipment is powered by nine total Lego RF motors, 5 for the blower and 4 to power the tracks. And judging from the video, it works even better than you'd think.
