Damn Interesting

Author: Alan Bellows • Page 19/34

Alan Bellows is the founder/designer/head writer/managing editor of Damn Interesting.
Curio:

Dial-a-Yield Nukes: Regular or Extra-Crispy

In regards to nuclear weaponry, a kiloton is equivalent to the explosive destructive power 1,000 metric tons of TNT....
Written by Alan Bellows • 25 Feb 2006 • Read →
Long-Form:

The Crypt of Civilization

In the basement of Phoebe Hearst Hall at Oglethorpe University in Georgia, there is a stainless steel vault door whic...
Written by Alan Bellows • 17 Feb 2006 • Read →
Article:

The Birthday Paradox

I used to have an uneasy relationship with mathematics. I had long been a bit put off by math's condescending demeano...
Written by Alan Bellows • 09 Feb 2006 • Read →
Article:

The Halifax Disaster

How a maritime accident led to the largest human-caused explosion in the pre-nuclear era.
Written by Alan Bellows • 04 Feb 2006 • Read →
Retired:

The Rocket Racing League

Twenty years from now, a human pilot may very well be unwanted baggage inside the small, maneuverable fighter aircraf...
Written by Alan Bellows • 02 Feb 2006 • Read →
Article:

Cancer Assassins

In the USA and other developed countries, cancer is presently responsible for about 25% of all deaths. The human immu...
Written by Alan Bellows • 28 Jan 2006 • Read →
Retired:

The Seed Vaults

Plants have been the the subject of human-imposed genetic manipulation for over 10,000 years. Historically this orche...
Written by Alan Bellows • 25 Jan 2006 • Read →
Article:

Liver-Eating Johnson

From the cloudy reservoir of history it is often difficult to separate legend from reality, and such is the case with...
Written by Alan Bellows • 22 Jan 2006 • Read →
Article:

Urine For a Treat

A type of mushroom called Amanita muscaria grows in some parts of Siberia, and it contains a cocktail of hallucinogen...
Written by Alan Bellows • 21 Jan 2006 • Read →
Retired:

Buoyancy Bounces Back

"Lighter-than-air" airships were once a promising breed, providing an inexpensive way to move large amounts of people...
Written by Alan Bellows • 19 Jan 2006 • Read →
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