Who doesn’t love a good concert? The blaring music, the beautiful lights and the singing crowd. But the process of getting the band set up, the stage ready and the venue prepared is incredibly complicated. Dozens of man hours go into getting a show ready. If a band is big enough, they have a well-oiled machine to get it done.
The surprising way microchips are made
Almost every tech gadget we use in our daily lives has some sort of microchip inside it. TVs, thermostats and even toasters rely on microchips to work efficiently. Microchips are made using sand, but how do we go from a pile of grains to a tiny little computer? The answer? With a ton of work.
What a room looks like on a space hotel
The year is 2040 and you’ve just come into a huge amount of money. You know exactly what you want to do with it: Stay in the first-ever space hotel. You shell out the cash, get on a rocket and arrive at the hotel. You get to your room and open the door. What do you see? Well, it’s not your typical hotel room, that’s for sure.
A look inside the FBI’s encryption system
Encryption algorithms are used for security purposes in many facets of today’s world. We can use them to keep our messages private, send photos we want to keep discrete and hide our location. But did you know the FBI has its own encryption system that is virtually uncrackable? This complicated algorithm uses a unique system that no one has ever broken.
How high-tech running shoes got banned
Back in 2019, a marathon runner named Ediud Kipchoge accomplished something no one had before: He ran a marathon in under 2 hours. He did this wearing brand-new shoes designed by Nike. His incredible feat was immediately called into question, with critics claiming his shoes gave him an advantage. But they’re just shoes, right? How much impact can they really have? As it turns out, a lot.
An ATM glitch that gave one man infinite money
ATMs make getting cold hard cash from your bank account a breeze. Just pop in your card, click a few buttons and the cash is in your hand. But ATMs can make mistakes. Just ask the man who discovered a glitch that allowed him to withdraw a seemingly endless amount of money. So, how did he do it?
The weird history of Legos
Do you have memories of snapping together Lego bricks to make something special? Most of us think fondly of those plastic pieces. (Unless, of course, you stepped on one.) While the company has a wholesome image, it hasn’t always been that way. The real history of Legos is a lot darker than most people realize.
Using AI to create art with a one-word prompt
Artificial intelligence doesn’t just power our smart assistants and high-tech gadgets. It has all kinds of applications, including the creation of beautiful, original art. This is a fascinating look at how this technology works, and we’re sure AI’s creativity will blow you away.
Do these old-timey life hacks actually work?
When you think of life hacks, what comes to mind? Most likely it’s those viral videos that claim your life will be perfect if you just follow this one easy step! But the truth is people have been spreading these “life hacks” for hundreds of years. Here are 29 of the strangest ones throughout history.
Getting back at scam callers
Even with new laws and helpful apps, scam calls are still a problem — especially when it comes to older adults. Scammers often will stop at nothing to con someone out of their life savings. That’s why one man decided to get back at scammers through a call center in India, and it’s truly amazing.
How stenographers can type so fast
In 2005, Barbara Blackburn became the world’s fastest typist, hitting 216 words per minute. But stenographers can average 250 to 270 words per minute, far faster than the average person speaks. What’s the secret behind this super-fast typing speed?
Why the Coast Guard uses a zig-zag when doing search and rescue
The U.S. Coast Guard is an integral part of our military. It protects our beaches and coastlines from invasion or enemies, but it also helps find and rescue those lost at sea. You might be surprised to learn the technique it uses to do this. Let’s just say it’s not straightforward.
Why don’t we all have jetpacks?
Over 60 years ago, engineers developed the first personal flying backpack or jetpack. With all of the technological advances since then, why aren’t we all flying around the skies? There is a scientific reason why jetpacks are challenging to bring to fruition.
Your shirt may be able to check your heartbeat in the future.
Humans use clothes for protection from the elements, to show off wealth or status or generally just to express themselves. But, what if your clothes were able to do more? Scientists are working to develop a fabric that will be able to hear your heartbeat. What will this mean for future people’s health and wellness? It may just blow your mind.
Will you be able to upload your mind into a computer?
We, as humans, all have a few things in common. We are all born, live and die. But what if computers could change that? What if you were able to upload your consciousness to a digital world and live virtually forever? Is that something that will become a reality? If so, when?
What happens when you overload a capacitor?
Capacitors are essential components that help regulate energy inside most complex electronics. But since they’re only able to handle a certain amount of electricity, what happens when they overload?
Will we be able to merge with our tech?
Our gadgets go where we do, in our pockets and on our wrists. But what if one day we were able to enhance our bodies with technology? Scientists are exploring the possibility.
What comes next for the James Webb Space Telescope?
After more than a decade of planning, the James Webb Space Telescope finally launched late last year. And since it just reached its destination, we shouldn’t have to wait long to see the most incredible photos taken of galaxies outside our own.
Science discoveries made in 2021 you didn’t hear about
In 2021, the news was dominated by COVID-19. All the new variants and vaccine rollouts seemed to blind most of us to other scientific discoveries throughout the year. So, here is a breakdown of some of the most remarkable findings you probably didn’t hear about.
The government doesn’t want you to know these Dark Web secrets
The Dark Web is a mysterious place. Once you leave the relative safety of the traditional internet, things can get pretty scary. But, you might not know there are things on the Dark Web that the government is working to keep confidential. The secrets might just blow your mind.