curiosities

The Story Of Zzyzx, The Eerie Ghost Town Along A Dead-End Road In The Middle Of The California Desert

Zzyzx was founded by a con artist in the 1940s as a spa where he could peddle his quack remedies — and its history is even weirder than its name.

By Erin Kelly • Apr 9, 2024

The Story Of Zzyzx, The Eerie Ghost Town Along A Dead-End Road In The Middle Of The California Desert

Zzyzx was founded by a con artist in the 1940s as a spa where he could peddle his quack remedies — and its history is even weirder than its name.

By Erin Kelly • April 9, 2024

The Story Of Julia Pastrana, The ‘Ape Woman’ Sideshow Performer

Billed as a human-orangutan hybrid, Julia Pastrana made her stage debut in 1854. Though she eventually fell in love and got married, her life was isolated and cut tragically short.

By Genevieve Carlton • Apr 9, 2024

The Story Of Julia Pastrana, The ‘Ape Woman’ Sideshow Performer

Billed as a human-orangutan hybrid, Julia Pastrana made her stage debut in 1854. Though she eventually fell in love and got married, her life was isolated and cut tragically short.

By Genevieve Carlton • April 9, 2024

College Students Opened Up A 1993 Time Capsule And Found Out Just How Much The World Has Changed

The time capsule included rave pacifiers, lists of the most popular shows and songs, and a condom that expired in 1997.

By Bernadette Deron • Apr 9, 2024

News

College Students Opened Up A 1993 Time Capsule And Found Out Just How Much The World Has Changed

The time capsule included rave pacifiers, lists of the most popular shows and songs, and a condom that expired in 1997.

By Bernadette Deron • April 9, 2024

The Murky History Of The Aztec Death Whistle, The Screaming Instrument Said To Make The Most Terrifying Sound In The World

While some have theorized that ancient Mesoamericans used the Aztec death whistle to terrify their enemies during battle, experts are still unsure what exactly these skull-shaped instruments were really used for.

By Austin Harvey • Apr 2, 2024

The Murky History Of The Aztec Death Whistle, The Screaming Instrument Said To Make The Most Terrifying Sound In The World

While some have theorized that ancient Mesoamericans used the Aztec death whistle to terrify their enemies during battle, experts are still unsure what exactly these skull-shaped instruments were really used for.

By Austin Harvey • April 2, 2024

What Are Rat Kings, The Super-Rodents Made Of Tangled Tails?

A rat king forms when the tails of many rodents become tangled together, creating a disturbing creature that moves as one swarming mass of terror.

By Leah Silverman • Apr 2, 2024

What Are Rat Kings, The Super-Rodents Made Of Tangled Tails?

A rat king forms when the tails of many rodents become tangled together, creating a disturbing creature that moves as one swarming mass of terror.

By Leah Silverman • April 2, 2024

A 19th-Century Book Made From A Dead Woman’s Skin Was Just Removed From Harvard’s Library

Des Destinées de L'âme was written by French novelist Arsène Houssaye in the mid-1880s about the nature of souls and life after death.

By Austin Harvey • Mar 29, 2024

News

A 19th-Century Book Made From A Dead Woman’s Skin Was Just Removed From Harvard’s Library

Des Destinées de L'âme was written by French novelist Arsène Houssaye in the mid-1880s about the nature of souls and life after death.

By Austin Harvey • March 29, 2024

Edward Mordrake, The Man Who Allegedly Had One Head And Two Faces

Also known as Edward Mordake, Edward Mordrake was a 19th-century Englishman born with an extra face on the back of his head — or so the legends claim.

By Gina Dimuro • Mar 29, 2024

Edward Mordrake, The Man Who Allegedly Had One Head And Two Faces

Also known as Edward Mordake, Edward Mordrake was a 19th-century Englishman born with an extra face on the back of his head — or so the legends claim.

By Gina Dimuro • March 29, 2024

California Man Arrested For Allegedly Stealing And Eating The Leg Of A Pedestrian Killed By A Train

27-year-old Resendo Tellez was arrested after he allegedly stole a severed human leg from the scene of a train collision and proceeded to eat it while walking down the street.

By Austin Harvey • Mar 28, 2024

News

California Man Arrested For Allegedly Stealing And Eating The Leg Of A Pedestrian Killed By A Train

27-year-old Resendo Tellez was arrested after he allegedly stole a severed human leg from the scene of a train collision and proceeded to eat it while walking down the street.

By Austin Harvey • March 28, 2024

Shoichi Yokoi, The Japanese World War II Holdout Who Didn’t Surrender Until 1972

Imperial Japanese Army sergeant Shoichi Yokoi fled into the jungles of Guam when American forces recaptured the island in 1944 — and didn't emerge until he was finally discovered 28 years later.

By Kaleena Fraga • Mar 26, 2024

Shoichi Yokoi, The Japanese World War II Holdout Who Didn’t Surrender Until 1972

Imperial Japanese Army sergeant Shoichi Yokoi fled into the jungles of Guam when American forces recaptured the island in 1944 — and didn't emerge until he was finally discovered 28 years later.

By Kaleena Fraga • March 26, 2024

Harvard Researcher Says That 536 A.D. Was History’s Worst Year — Here’s Why

If you think this year is bad, this research by Harvard archeologist Michael McCormick shows that things could be much worse on Earth.

By Bernadette Deron • Mar 25, 2024

News

Harvard Researcher Says That 536 A.D. Was History’s Worst Year — Here’s Why

If you think this year is bad, this research by Harvard archeologist Michael McCormick shows that things could be much worse on Earth.

By Bernadette Deron • March 25, 2024