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 Some historical references to wine date back more than 6,000 years...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
Golden retrievers are a popular dog breed. Retrievers are a type of sporting dog or gundog that can be trained to retrieve or fetch game that has been shot down by a hunter... Read more
The centaur is a legendary creature of Greek mythology. The centaur was purportedly part horse and part man. Many were said to dwell in the mountains of Arcadia and Thessaly. Centaurs were depicted as drawing the chariot of Dionysus, the god of wine, or being ridden by Eros, the god of love... 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
The snow leopard or ounce is one of 37 species of cats found throughout the world. This long-haired big cat lives in the snowy mountains of Asia. It feels right at home at elevations up to 5,500 meters or 18,000 feet!... Read more
The rectus abdominis muscle, commonly referred to as the abs, are often viewed as a gauge of physical fitness. If the abdominal muscles are visible on the outside of the body, it means that the muscles themselves are toned and that the body does not harbor an excess of fat... Read more
Being able to draw the human form is an important skill for every artist. In so doing, the ability to draw muscles accurately must not be overlooked... Read more
If you're aiming to become a good artist, an integral step is becoming skilled at drawing the human form. The placement of muscles, or musculature, is vital, whether you're drawing a comic book character or a realistic sketch... Read more
A wizard is a fictional magician or practitioner of magic. Wizards are typically depicted as male, and may also be known as magi, mages, witches, enchanters, sorcerers, or spell casters. Female wizards can be called wizardesses, witches, enchantresses, or sorceresses... Read more
A cliff is a very steep slope, often consisting of a vertical rock face. Cliffs can form as a result of earthquakes or erosion. Cliffs are most often found in mountainous areas, on the coast, or along... Read more
A microscope is a scientific instrument "that produces enlarged images of small objects." The word "microscope" comes from ancient Greek words meaning "small" and "to see." Microscopes are used to investigate small objects that are too little to be seen with the naked eye... Read more
The plague or bubonic plague is a fever caused by a bacterium called Yersinia pestis. It is very contagious, transmitted from rats and mice to humans via the vector of a flea bite... Read more
The horror film A Nightmare on Elm Street, released in 1984, has become a cult classic. Spin-offs have included several sequels, a television series, and a remake in 2010... Read more
The cross or crucifix has been a common religious symbol for millennia. Though most consider it an icon of Jesus and Christianity, it was also used in pre-Christian times... Read more