Blogs

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The History of the Teddy Bear: From Wet and Angry to Soft and Cuddly

After Teddy Roosevelt's act of sportsmanship in 1902 was made legendary by a political cartoonist, his name was forever affixed to an American classic

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The Best Inventions of 2012 You Haven’t Heard of Yet (Part 2)

Here's the second half of a list of innovations that, while not as splashy as Google Glass, may actually become a bigger part of our daily lives.

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Smithsonian’s Very Own Maestro David Baker is All That’s Jazz

David Baker, the leader of the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra, steps down, leaving a soaring legacy in his wake

A new study indicates that marijuana isn’t a painkiller, but a pain distracter: Under the influence of THC, the same levels of pain are simply less bothersome.

Marijuana Isn’t a Pain Killer—It’s a Pain Distracter

A new study finds that under the influence of marijuana, the same levels of pain are simply less bothersome

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The Best Places to See and Celebrate the Winter Solstice

Many temples and monuments were intentionally built to face, frame or otherwise "welcome" the rising winter solstice sun

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Slice of Life: Artistic Cross Sections of the Human Body

Artist Lisa Nilsson creates elaborate anatomical illustrations from thin strips of paper

Here’s what we have to look forward to: two more adorable Andean cubs bounding about with Chaska and Bernardo, born in 2010.

Andean Cubs Mark Milestone at National Zoo

The twins have now lived longer than any other North American litter born in captivity, aside from their older siblings born in 2010

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Santa Claus Builds A Flying Machine

As the 1800s gave way to the 1900s, many Americans felt that old Saint Nick needed a new way of getting from house to house

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The Sustainable Meat of the Future: Mealworms?

Mealworms might seem unpalatable to many, but a new study indicates that they might be the climate-friendly protein alternative of the future

A replica of Piltdown Man

How to Solve Human Evolution’s Greatest Hoax

The "discovery" turned out to be the biggest hoax in the history of paleoanthropology

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What Will You Be Watching for on Watch Night?

With end-of-year watch and see anxieties lurking, it's important to know that the Watch NIght was a wait for news of freedom

Larissa and Michael Milne, shown here in their hometown of Philadelphia, sold nearly all their belongings in 2011 and embarked on a tour of the world. Along the way they visited the frightening but fascinating country of North Korea. Also shown in this photo is the Milnes’ travel companion, “Little Rocky,” a six-inch figurine of one of Philadelphia’s most famous native sons.

A Frightening and Fascinating Journey Through North Korea

When a Philadelphia couple took a world tour in 2011, they quickly struck upon the idea of visiting one of the world's most mysterious places

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The Decline and Fall of the Space Action Hero

Elroy gets to meet the star of his favorite show—but, in the real world, spacemen were disappearing from American televisions

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Last Minute Food-Themed Gift Ideas

There's still time to pick up these magazines, books, kitchen gadgets and food stuffs for your Christmas shopping needs

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The Ten Best Ocean Stories of 2012

From deep-sea squid habits to vanishing coral reefs, here are the ocean stories we couldn’t stop talking about this year.

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Nimbus Clouds: Mysterious, Ephemeral and Now Indoors

Dutch artist Berndnaut Smilde has found a way to create clouds in gallery spaces. In the seconds before they dissipate, he captures beautiful photographs

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The Scientific Reason Why Reindeer Have Red Noses

Some reindeer really do have red noses, a result of densely packed blood vessels near the skin's surface

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The Best Inventions of 2012 You Haven’t Heard of Yet (Part 1)

They haven't received much attention yet, but here are some of the more innovative--and useful--ideas that have popped up this year.

Actor Bing Crosby, Actresses Rosemary Clooney and Vera Ellen, and Actor Danny Kaye, during the 1954 Paramount production of “White Christmas.”

Is White Christmas the Best Popular Song Ever Written?

The idyllic scenes of the dreamy holiday tune were painted by a Russian Jewish immigrant named Israel Baline, better known as Irving Berlin

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Your Guide to the Most Delicious Drinks for the Holidays

Few beers may so strongly evoke the image of dark winters and frozen European landscapes as Imperial Stout—and a bottle fits nicely in a Christmas stocking

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