Mathematics was the cornerstone of the Industrial Revolution. A new paradigm of measurement and calculation, more than scientific discovery, built industry, modernity, and the world we inhabit today.
The asbestos times
Asbestos was a miracle material, virtually impervious to fire. But as we fixed city fires in other ways, we came to learn about its horrific downsides.
Watt lies beneath
The earth’s core is hot. So hot, that if we drilled deep enough, we could power the world millions of times over with cheap, clean energy, supporting renewables when the wind isn’t blowing and the sun isn’t shining. But getting there is tough.
Waking up science’s sleeping beauties
Many scientific papers receive little attention initially but become highly cited years later. What groundbreaking discoveries might have already been made, and how can we uncover them faster?
The entrepreneurial state
War is hell. But by allowing more effective states to rule productive regions, it may have been a catalyst for Europe’s early modern advancement.
Upzoning New Zealand
New Zealand passed the most ambitious upzoning reforms in the world. Now comes the backlash.
The cocktail revolution
Cocktails aren’t what they used to be – and that’s a good thing. The search for fresher and more novel ingredients from ever further afield continues to revolutionize mixology for the better.