Constant Wonder

Ben Wilson explains why the city might just be humankind's greatest invention. On his "99% Invisible" podcast, Roman Mars uncovers the stories behind seemingly insignificant design choices in our built environment.

David Brown of Elizabethtown College recounts the life of Henry Adams, one of the last true American aristocrats. Marta McDowell describes the rich history and pleasures of the White House gardens.

Francesca Beauman shares a delightful history of personal ads in the US. Rachelle Bergstein entertains us with the history of the diamond engagement ring and how it became practically essential to the Western marriage contract.

Bill Ayrey on the ingenuity of the Apollo space suits. Christopher Wanjek describes how the space race continues, though not on the trajectory we once thought it would.

John Morris shares the history behind the iconic New York City subway and how it went from being the most advanced subway system in 1904 to its current outdated state. Donald L. Miller of Lafayette College on how jazz made The Big Apple.

Judith Warner examines the awkward years of middle school and argues that it may not be as awful as parents think. Newbery Award-winning author Jerry Craft discusses his new book, "New Kid," the poignant story of a young middle schooler who moves to a new school and has to confront racial bias on top of all the pain of being the new kid.

The Getty's Elizabeth Morrison and Larisa Grollemond explore the fantastic world of medieval bestiaries, which capture both real and fictional animals. Caspar Henderson finds some of the strangest animals in world, creatures just as weird and wonderful as any in a medieval bestiary.

Michael Kranish tells the story of Major Taylor, the world's fastest man. Jeff Salvage, race walking coach, and Miranda Melville, Olympic race walker, discuss the sometimes overlooked sport of competitive race walking.

Stephen Puleo shares the heartwarming story of the first major international aid effort, when Americans rescued the Irish during the Irish Potato Famine of 1847. Douglas Smith explains the largest humanitarian operation that you probably never heard of when the United States aided Russia during its famine in 1921.

Tim Walsh, a toy historian and game inventor, tells the story of people banding together to help the inventor of the game "Operation" pay for an operation he couldn't afford due to bankruptcy. Thomas Morris shares medical curiosities from history, such as how one doctor conducted an appendectomy on himself. Mary Pilon recounts the surprisingly scandalous history of the board game "Monopoly."