A helicopter, also called a chopper, is a type of aircraft that uses a rotor, or spinning blade, to take off and land vertically. Unlike airplanes, helicopters don't need a runway. Other rotorcraft include convertiplanes, autogiros or autogyros, and V/STOL aircraft... Read more
For most of human history, weapons of war consisted of various types of clubs, blades such as daggers and swords, and piercing, poisoned, or flaming projectiles launched from slings, bows, or catapults. The face of war changed drastically with the invention of the gun around the year AD 1000... Read more
The term grape describes about 80 species of vining plants native to the northern hemisphere. The plants grow quite large, reaching lengths of 56 feet (17 meters) or more... Read more
The Vikings, called Northmen or Norsemen, were a seafaring people from the Scandinavian region of Europe... Read more
The toucan is a tropical bird famous for its large, colorful beak. There are about 15 species of toucan native to South and Central America. Smaller birds similar in appearance to toucans are called toucanets or aracaris... Read more
In Greek mythology, Poseidon was best known as the god of the sea and water. He was also the deity of earthquakes, storms, and horses. His name means "lord or husband of the earth."... Read more
The trumpet, also spelled trompette or trompete, is a musical instrument of the brass wind family. The term "trumpet" describes a number of instruments throughout history played by vibrating the lips against the mouthpiece. The earliest trumpets were made from the horns of animals such as rams or bulls, or conch shells. Today, trumpets are made of metal... Read more
Many plants have a vining habit, producing long, twining stems that rely on outside structures to support them. Grapes are among the most recognizable. Around the world, grapevines are... Read more
Thermometers are instruments used to measure temperature. The first thermometer was built in 1592 by Galileo Galilei. They did not become widely available until the 1800s... Read more
Ken Kaneki is the protagonist of Tokyo Ghoul anime and manga series. Ken was an ordinary student living a normal life, until he was transformed into a ghoul - a humanoid organism that feeds on flesh... Read more
Grizzly bears or brown bears are one of the largest predators in North America. In fact, the Kodiak bear, a subspecies of the grizzly that lives on Alaskan islands, is the largest land carnivore in the world. These North American brown bears are the descendants of the Eurasian brown bear... Read more
Totoro is the title character of an animated 1988 fantasy film. My Neighbor Totoro follows the adventures of two young girls in rural post-war Japan who move into a new home. Their friends include dust-like spirits called susuwatari, a cat-shaped bus, and the large rabbit-like spirit of the woods known as Totoro... Read more
Before the advent of refrigeration and electricity, preserving food for later use was a major concern. Some foods could be kept in root cellars, others fermented, others dried. Then, in the year 1800, a French inventor developed a means of sealing food in airtight containers. Canning was born... Read more
A roller coaster is a type of railway that is elevated and which has steep ascents and descents. Unlike most railways, roller coasters won't take you anywhere - in fact, most let you off at the same platform used to board. Instead of travel, roller coasters are designed to produce thrills and pure fun... Read more
A farm is a property devoted to agriculture - the keeping of useful plants and animals, mostly for food... Read more
Wine has left an indelible mark on human history and culture. This fermented beverage has been consumed since ancient times. Some historical references to wine date back more than 6,000 years... Read more
Little Red Riding Hood, named after her hooded garment, is perhaps the most iconic use of the hood in popular culture. The story originated as a fairy tale in Europe around the tenth century. Hoods were, at that time, usually a part of a cloak or cape. These were common items of clothing used to keep off the rain and the winter chill... Read more
The Kraken is a sea monster of ancient legend, part of the mythology of Europe's Scandinavian region. The Kraken was purported to be large enough to sink a ship at sea... Read more
The avocado is a fruit that grows on trees native to Central and South America. Depending on the region, avocados are also called aguacate, ahuacatl, alligator pear, and avocado pear. Avocados can be as small as an egg or weigh 1 to 2 kilograms (2 to 4 pounds), depending on the variety. More than 1,000 varieties exist. Some avocados have purple skin, though most are green... Read more
Television, or TV, tele, or telly for short, describes "the electronic delivery of moving images and sound from a source to a receiver." Early in the twentieth century, television was conceived as a medium for communication and education. By the middle of the century, it had forever changed popular culture, news, and entertainment... Read more