The complicated history of surfing - Scott Laderman
Adults HistoryToday, surfing is a multi-billion-dollar global industry, with tens of millions of enthusiasts worldwide. For some it's a serious sport; for others, just a way to let loose. But despite its casual association with fun and sun, surfing has a richer and deeper history than many realize. Scott Laderman shares the hidden history of surfing.
History vs. Che Guevara - Alex Gendler
Adults HistoryHis face is recognized all over the world - the young medical student who became a revolutionary icon. But was Che Guevara a heroic champion of the poor, or a ruthless warlord who left a legacy of repression? Alex Gendler puts this controversial figure on trial in History vs. Che Guevara.
The myth of Prometheus - Iseult Gillespie
Adults HistoryBefore the creation of humanity, the Greek gods won a great battle against a race of giants called the Titans. Most Titans were destroyed or driven to the eternal hell of Tartarus. But the Titan Prometheus, whose name means foresight, persuaded his brother Epimetheus to fight with him on the side of the Gods. Iseult Gillespie shares the myth of Prometheus.
Explore cave paintings in this 360 animated cave - Iseult Gillespie
Adults HistoryThe paintings of our ancestors have been preserved in caves all over the world; the oldest we've found were made up to 40,000 years ago. What do these images tell us about the ancient human mind and the lives of their creators? In this special 360 TED-Ed animation, explore an ancient cave and its surroundings as Iseult Gillespie shares a brief history of cave paintings.
Kids Try 100 Years of Seafood | Bon Appetit
Adults HistoryIn this episode of "Kids Try", the kids try 100 years of seafood. Let's see how the kids react to oysters rockefeller, lobster roll, crab cakes, Manhattan clam chowder, tuna casserole, molded salmon mousse, crab rangoon, clam dip, jambalaya, McDonald's Filet-o-Fish, popcorn shrimp, California roll sushi, blackened redfish, scallops, tropical shrimp salad, fried calamari, Stargazy pie, baja fish taco, poke bowl, and sushi burrito.
How aspirin was discovered - Krishna Sudhir
Adults History4000 years ago, the ancient Sumerians made a surprising discovery: if they scraped the bark off a particular kind of tree and ate it, their pain disappeared. Little did they know that what they'd found was destined to influence the future course of medicine. Krishna Sudhir traces the history of aspirin.
A brief history of banned numbers - Alessandra King
Adults HistoryThey say the pen is mightier than the sword, and authorities have often agreed. From outlawed religious tracts and revolutionary manifestos to censored and burned books, we know the potential power of words to overturn the social order. But as strange as it may seem, some numbers have also been considered dangerous enough to ban. Alessandra King details the history behind illegal numbers.
How do executive orders work? - Christina Greer
Adults HistoryOn January 1, 1863, Abraham Lincoln legally changed the status of over 3 million people from "slave" to "free." But his emancipation proclamation wasn't a law - it was an executive order. The framers of the American Constitution made this power available to the executive branch. But what exactly is this tool, how does it work, and what's the extent of its power? Christina Greer explains.
The rise and fall of the Berlin Wall - Konrad H. Jarausch
Adults HistoryOn August 13, 1961, construction workers began tearing up streets and erecting barriers in Berlin. This night marked the beginning of one of history's most infamous dividing lines: the Berlin Wall. Construction continued for a decade as the wall cut through neighborhoods, separated families, and divided not just Germany, but the world. Konrad H. Jarausch details the history of the Berlin Wall.
The myth of Cupid and Psyche - Brendan Pelsue
Adults HistoryPsyche was born so beautiful that she was worshipped as a new incarnation of Venus, the goddess of love. But human lovers were too intimidated to approach her, and Apollo recommended her father abandon her on a crag where she would marry "a cruel and savage, serpent-like winged evil." But Psyche's story ended up being much more interesting. Brendan Pelsue shares the myth of Cupid and Psyche.
How does the Nobel Peace Prize work? - Adeline Cuvelier and Toril Rokseth
Adults HistoryAmong the top prestigious awards in the world, the Nobel Peace Prize has honored some of the most celebrated and revered international figures and organizations in history. But how does the nomination process work? And who exactly is eligible? Adeline Cuvelier and Toril Rokseth detail the specifics of the Nobel Peace Prize.
6 things in tech today that Bill Gates accurately predicted back in 1999
Adults HistoryThe Microsoft co-founder imagined much of the tech we use today before it even existed. He shared his thoughts in a 1999 book called "Business @ the Speed of Thought." Here's a quick look at 6 of his predictions that eventually came true, including a device you are probably holding in your hands right now.
The world's most mysterious book - Stephen Bax
Adults HistoryDeep inside Yale's Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library lies a 240 page tome. Recently carbon dated to around 1420, its pages feature looping handwriting and hand drawn images seemingly stolen from a dream. It is called the Voynich manuscript, and it's one of history's biggest unsolved mysteries. The reason why? No one can figure out what it says. Stephen Bax investigates this cryptic work.