The Odd & Curious

Harry Houdini died on Halloween in 1926, but he wasn’t alone. Explore the famous figures who died on October 31 and Houdini’s final escape pact.

When did 81 become young? A funny look at aging, retirement, baby boomers and how our idea of old age keeps changing.

Scratch-and-sniff was once everywhere, from Raspberries albums and MAD Magazine to John Waters’ Odorama. Now the strange little fad is making a comeback.

Matt Kirkland has a strange solution for giant books: chop them into smaller, manageable volumes. Chop the biggest books and why it might make sense.

Apple’s new iPhone Duo starts at $2,999 in Canada. Is it really one phone, or are we paying for two devices cleverly folded into one?

MapQuest refused to rename Lake Ontario. Then downloads exploded. What happened says something bigger about nostalgia, technology and taking a side.

The Blackwing 602 is more than a pencil. From John Steinbeck to Chuck Jones, here’s why this cedar-and-graphite classic still has a cult following.

Sony is moving toward digital-only PlayStation games, but the growing appeal of Analog Living raises a bigger question about ownership, preservation and the things we still want to hold onto.

Button Stealer is a browser extension that steals website buttons. It’s an unexpected reminder of how the internet changed from a playground into a marketplace.

Most people think ALL CAPS means shouting online, but the story began long before the internet. Here’s how comics, printing, and early computers shaped the rule.

A simple AI voice demonstration sparks a deeper look at science fiction, human connection, and how artificial intelligence is quietly changing everyday life.

My cat’s obsession with YouTube bird videos made me realize that every cat sees a television a little differently. Simon’s Cat captured that perfectly, and it also reminded me why modern TVs deserve a little extra protection.