Between 1934 and 1963, Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary housed America’s most dangerous prisoners. Next to the death penalty, a ticket to Alcatraz was the most severe punishment for hardened criminals. In the 1930s, crime was out of control in the United States. In 1932, for example, there were 631 bank robberies. Gangsters would rob a bank,

When it comes to the construction industry, there is absolutely no room for error. People’s lives and livelihoods depend on it. All it takes to cause a disaster is one seemingly unimportant mistake caused by human error, corruption, or environmental conditions that weren’t originally considered. Many people die no matter the root cause. The one

Mankind’s relationship with bees goes beyond the love affair with honey. The sweet treat has its own unusual properties and claims, but bee venom, genes, and fossils are changing many scientific fields. Ancient therapies return to heal (or kill) modern patients, and famous prehistoric events lurk in the insects’ DNA. There’s the oldest honey farm

Being a member of the British royal family isn’t as easy as it looks. You can’t be political, controversial, or show emotion. And any slipup you do make will be all over the news across the globe in very short order. The queen mother’s motto was, “Never complain, never explain,” but when words fail, actions

Species do not evolve in isolation. The web of life means that different species must adapt as they interact with each other. Between predator and prey, there might be an evolutionary arms race as each struggles to beat the other. Although the interactions between two species can be far more interesting and involved, both species

Everyone loves a good Christmas special. But when it comes to Halloween, the choices feel sparse. Anyone can throw on a horror movie, but those can be too nightmare-inducing for kids (and even some adults). What do people watch when they like getting into the spooky spirit? Just the Treehouse of Horror episodes on The

Several countries have passed laws recognizing the existence of a third or “other” gender, making it seem as if having a sex identity apart from the usual male or female is unheard-of. In certain countries, third or nonbinary genders are only recognized if a person is born with sex traits that fall outside the usual

The phrase “national army” conjures up a pretty standard image: a large, imposing, and professional fighting force. And if we’re familiar with a modern army at all, it’s probably one of the big ones, e.g. China, Germany, the United States, etc. Yet there are some armies that don’t fit the mold. We might expect the

Earth and Mars have a lot in common. They have similar terrain, although Mars lacks the considerable amounts of water, oxygen, and atmospheric pressure required to support life as we know it. Compared to our planet, Mars also has less mass and a smaller size—a bit over half the size of Earth or two times

No fast-food chain is more recognizable than McDonald’s. The golden arches of this burger joint can be found everywhere in the world—from Alaska to Singapore. As ubiquitous as its restaurants are, McDonald’s has had its fair share of bad press in the past. Morgan Spurlock’s documentary Super Size Me highlighted in graphic detail just how

How can you quantify or qualify serial killers? They are all horrible. They are all awful. They are all worthy of scorn. However, some are upheld as worse than others. Ted Bundy, the charismatic and handsome necrophile, is the archetype of the charming sociopath who managed to convince family and friends that he was completely

As crazy as it sounds, certain people deliberately choose to live underground. Sometimes, these people form entire communities consisting of thousands of people. Usually, they are homeless and have few options available. At other times, they are forced to live underground due to circumstances beyond their control or because they cannot afford aboveground homes. 10

Beer—the ice-cold, hoppy, golden mug of deliciousness that serves as a universal symbol of happiness. It is the one true artifact that binds all of humanity together, as it is the only thing prevalent in some form in all cultures that has truly survived the test of time. Flavor, satisfaction, hops, molasses, and yeast are

Chinese medicine has been around an extremely long time. Systematic records of medical techniques first appeared in China around the second century BC. Since then, hundreds of thousands of doctors have worked their magic, eventually giving birth to the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) of today. TCM is well-known for its bizarre and unorthodox approach to

The whole debate about the advantages versus the dangers of genetically modified (GM) animals is always concentrated on the ones created for food. No one seems to notice that other animals are also being genetically modified. These cases can be even more contentious. Some people feel that it is unethical to experiment with animals in

Perhaps it’s the influence of the movies, but these days, we tend to expect death to be a solemn, dignified, occasion, where the dying person is surrounded by loved ones who hold their hand while listening to their final words, whispered in a failing voice. The end comes peacefully and unremarkably. Unfortunately, not everyone gets

From the Spanish Inquisition to modern-day mass shootings, history is replete with violent people doing abhorrent things that the rest of us simply can’t imagine as the actions of human beings. Among these men was a serial killer so obscured by the lens of history that he’s almost a ghost. Little is known about Karl

Today, silent movies appear to have an old-timey innocence about them. Villains twirled mustaches, and damsels were always in distress but always rescued by a handsome hero at the last moment. Even the tramps seemed whimsical. However, behind the camera, the burgeoning film industry was decadent and dissolute. Movie stars made fantastic amounts of money

Throughout history, many individuals have stood firm and said, “No.” They’ve rejected the dominant dogma of the time and decided to carve their own path as they traversed and trudged through the world, forging new ideas into the zeitgeist of the era. Anarchists and other rebels serve important purposes in our societies, one of the

Most architecture follows the styles of its time. Then there are the truly odd structures. For example, the Tower of Pisa is famous for its lean. Surprisingly, it is not the only leaning tower around. It just happens to be the most popular. Some leaning towers are even more tilted and have more impressive histories

Serial killers are capable of disguising themselves as normal citizens in society. Their chameleonlike demeanors help them to hold down jobs, play at having happy families, and manage their social lives—all without allowing their masks to slip. At least for a while. For the majority of them, it’s only a matter of time before they

The best companies in the world made their way to success because of smart business decisions and quality products and services. Yet, sometimes, a corporation can’t see the potential in an opportunity knocking on their door, leading to some regretful decisions. Some of these missed opportunities resulted in the start of rival companies, caused existing

Most killers have massive egos and constantly crave the spotlight. Even when they are on trial for sinister crimes and facing a possible death penalty, they can’t help but take center stage and have all eyes on them. They are also deluded enough to believe that they know how to defend themselves better than any

When dealing with items in museum collections or newly discovered artifacts at archaeological digs, it’s easy to get excited and want a close look. However, sometimes, these objects of interest contain deadly surprises. They may be covered in poisonous material or have a lethal substance hidden within. In the past, toxic chemicals were sometimes used

When we think of collaborations in music, it is easy to point to those with legendary status like David Bowie and Freddie Mercury with “Under Pressure.” But ebbing in the annals of music are a few of the most unexpected joint efforts, which sometimes provide a surprising delight or are otherwise quickly swept under the

Spies. Secret agents. Experts of espionage. These exciting and elusive characters have been sparking intrigue in the hearts of us average citizens since James Bond appeared on the big screen in a cloud of mystery and a jet-black tuxedo. Stories of heroic feats accomplished by these agents of intelligence spread like wildfire, and nothing excites

Who wouldn’t be fascinated by a secret land or a forbidden territory? To wonder what’s behind closed doors, locked gates, or barbed-wire fences just because we’re barred from entry seems to be human nature. The more adventuresome among us will often try to find out. Urban explorers and island hunters will know better than anyone

Kissing is an integral part of many segments of humanity. The act is present in large portions of the globe, with each culture coming up with their own unique twist. For example, the Germans have a word, nachkussen, which is defined as a kiss “making up for kisses that have been omitted.” Here are ten

Several governments and intelligence agencies are operating secret prisons. The fact that these facilities do not officially exist means they are well-protected from the prying eyes of human rights agencies and the courts. Torture is often the norm in these places, and detainees are kept in inhumane living conditions. Various world governments don’t want you

Once in a while, a find comes along and rewrites a piece of history or gives a direct glimpse at something long-lost. The skeletons of animals do not exclusively reveal more about ancient biology. Rare remains also expose prehistoric landscapes, unknown industries, and how humans were a bigger extinction force than previously thought—one that sometimes