How Artist Teresita Fernández Turns Graphite, the Stuff of Stardust, Into Memories
A new episode of the Smithsonian’s ‘Re:Frame,’ explores the origin of graphite, a material artists have used for centuries
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For 100 Years, KitchenAid Has Been the Stand-Up Brand of Stand Mixers
Even celebrity chef Julia Child said that the sleek appliance made mixing 'marvelous'
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Earth's Magnetic Field Could Take Longer to Flip Than Previously Thought
New research suggests a polarity reversal of the planet takes about 22,000 years, significantly longer than former estimates
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All the World’s a Fantastical Stage for the Artist Mingering Mike
‘Re:Frame’ delves into a work of one of Washington D.C.’s most imaginative artists and his fascination with the historic Howard Theatre
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The Patents Behind Seven Classic Back-to-School Supplies
From backpacks to crayons, every piece of gear has an invention story
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The Government Taste Testers Who Reshaped America’s Diet
In the 1930s, a forgotten federal bureau experimented with ways to make soy and other products more popular in the U.S.
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The Crazy Superstitions and Real-Life Science of the Northern Lights
In the latest episode of ‘Re:Frame,’ Smithsonian curators take a deep dive into the dramatic painting ‘Aurora Borealis’ by Frederic Church
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The Fierce Pride and Passion of Rhinestone Fashion
In this episode of ‘Re:Frame,’ Smithsonian curators investigate the intentionality and agency behind the clothing we wear
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14 Fun Facts About Giant Pandas
Is Mother Mei Xiang pregnant? Giant Panda house is closed to give the much-loved bear some peace and quiet
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The Actress Who Left the Stage to Become a Civil War Spy
Pauline Cushman, now featured in a Smithsonian photography exhibition, unexpectedly found herself spying for the Union after accepting a dare
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Ancient Sea Life May Have Hitched Across Oceans on Giant Living Rafts
Enormous crinoids of the Jurassic era, related to sea stars and sea urchins, could have carried whole ecosystems around the world
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Learn to Surf on the Break Where It All Began
Waikiki Beach on O'ahu is the home of surfing—and you can take lessons there too
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These Lenses Zoom With a Couple Blinks of Your Eyes
Researchers have developed a soft polymer lens that changes shape based on electrical input
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Joy Harjo’s New Poetry Collection Brings Native Issues to the Forefront
The recently announced U.S. Poet Laureate melds words and music to resist the myth of Native invisibility
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Remembering Julia Child
Smithsonian curator Paula Johnson addresses many of the questions visitors ask about America’s beloved cooking teacher and her kitchen
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The New ‘Little Women’ May Finally Do Justice to Its Most Controversial Character
Based on the trailer of the new adaptation of the beloved novel, Amy March seems poised to get the well-rounded portrait she deserves
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How the Wiffle Ball Came To Be
Patented in 1957, the lightweight ball saved players' arms and more than a few windows
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How Marian Anderson Became an Iconic Symbol for Equality
Her beautiful voice famously rang out from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial; a new show takes a look at the highs and lows of her global acclaim
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Watch Leaves Change Color in a Matter of Seconds
A new time-lapse video of over 6,000 leaf photos reveals the biology behind fall foliage
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How Helicopters Helped Make Woodstock Happen
The legendary music festival was propelled by up to 22 helicopters, which airdropped food and flowers, transported performers, and irritated festival-goers
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Visit the World’s Only Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum
The Milwaukee attraction showcases the oldest and rarest of all the bobbleheads—and thousands more
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