The Pen Is Mightier Than Death: Believe It or Not!
Howie Noel, Ripley’s Believe It or Not!, Dick Tracy and Charles Schulz reveal how legendary comic strips keep going after their original creators are gone.
Entertainment
Nancy Stole the Spotlight. Now Meet the Man Who Created Her.
You know Nancy. You might know Sluggo. But do you know Ernie Bushmiller, the cartoonist whose deceptively simple creation became bigger than its creator?
The 8-Track Tape Died. Apparently Nobody Told It.
The 8-track tape ruled car stereos before cassettes killed it, but its strange legacy lives on in mixtapes, video-game cartridges and collectors.
Why I Hate Tweety
Why I hate Tweety Bird, from his treatment of Sylvester to his strange origins, boy-or-girl mystery, and the cartoons that make him look less innocent.
When Snoopy Became Snoopy: A Trip Back to 1967
Peanuts: Your Choice, Snoopy takes us back to 1967, when Snoopy, Woodstock and the Flying Ace were becoming the characters we know today.
Mestra: The Forgotten Greek Myth Madeline Miller Revives
Madeline Miller returns with Mestra, revisiting a forgotten Greek myth about family, survival, transformation and the power to resist impossible odds.
Mo Willems Is Writing a Book for Grown-Ups, and I Cannot Wait
Mo Willems is writing a book for grown-ups, sharing stories, artwork and a behind-the-scenes look at the creative process behind The Pigeon, Elephant & Piggie and more.
All The Right Movies: The Kid Who Stayed for the Credits Wrote a Book
A look at All The Right Movies, the book packed with behind-the-scenes facts, interviews and stories movie fans will love.
The Mrs. Roper Romp gains momentum each year globally
The Mrs. Roper Romp, which originated in 2013 as the "Million Mrs. Roper March," is a lively and creatively themed bar crawl event that pays homage to the iconic character Mrs. Helen Roper from the popular 1970s television series "Three's Company."
Is Miffy Japanese? The Truth Behind This Iconic Bunny’s Origins
Is Miffy Japanese? No, this beloved bunny is Dutch! Learn about Miffy’s history, her 70th anniversary, the Hello Kitty controversy, and her lasting global legacy.
Culture
The Secret Origin of the Smiley Face
Harvey Ball created the iconic smiley face in 10 minutes for $45. Here is how a simple insurance-company design became a global symbol and an Acid House icon.
What Is Evil? Are Humans the Only Animals Capable of Evil?
What if evil isn’t a thing at all, but the word we invented for what happens when one person meets their own needs by dominating another person’s life?
Where Did the Witch Hat Come From? The History of the Pointy Hat
There is no evidence that Salem’s accused witches wore the stereotypical pointy hat. Here’s how fashion, prejudice, art and popular culture created the iconic witch hat.
When Snoopy Became Snoopy: A Trip Back to 1967
Peanuts: Your Choice, Snoopy takes us back to 1967, when Snoopy, Woodstock and the Flying Ace were becoming the characters we know today.
The Ghost and Mrs. Muir: What the Movie Changed
The 1947 classic The Ghost and Mrs. Muir is more than a romantic ghost story. Here's what the movie changed from the novel and why Captain Gregg may be more controlling than protective.
The Worst Movie You’ll Ever Find: Bela Lugosi Meets a Brooklyn Gorilla
Bela Lugosi, Jerry Lewis imitators, a gorilla suit and Hollywood controversy collide in this bizarre 1952 cult movie.
Bela Lugosi’s Worst Movies: When the Horror Legend Hit Rock Bottom
Bela Lugosi's worst movies reveal the strange, sad final chapter of the Dracula star's career, from Poverty Row productions to Ed Wood's films.
Ace in the Hole: The 1951 Movie That Feels Modern
Billy Wilder's Ace in the Hole, starring Kirk Douglas, is a 1951 film about media greed, sensationalism and the public appetite for tragedy that feels remarkably modern.
The Origin of Good Grief and Charlie Brown’s Famous Phrase
Good Grief became Charlie Brown's signature saying, but its history began decades earlier. Learn the surprising origin of the famous Peanuts phrase.
Who knew that the Maltese Falcon is worth 4.1 million
Steve Wynn, Las Vegas hotel and casino billionaire bought the Maltese Falcon statue at a premium. He won the bid at the total price of a stunning $4.1 million.
Food & Life
Don’t Cook That: When Old Recipes Got Seriously Dangerous
Old cookbooks weren’t always harmless. Some mixed food, medicine and household chemistry in ways that can make Grandma’s apple pie look downright safe.
When Paris Ate the Zoo: The Strangest Menu in History
During the Siege of Paris, starving Parisians ate zoo animals. Here’s the bizarre story behind elephant, camel and kangaroo appearing on a Paris menu.
Why Does Your Jeans Pocket Have That Stupid Little Pocket?
That stupid little pocket in your jeans has a long history, from pocket watches and the real 5th pocket to its cheeky modern reputation as the condom pocket.
Why Did We Put Missing Kids on Milk Cartons?
Why did missing children’s faces appear on milk cartons? We look at the strange history behind the campaign, the kids who recognized themselves, Milk Carton 2.0 and Canada’s famous milk bags.
The Pen Is Mightier Than Death: Believe It or Not!
Howie Noel, Ripley's Believe It or Not!, Dick Tracy and Charles Schulz reveal how legendary comic strips keep going after their original creators are gone.
Nancy Stole the Spotlight. Now Meet the Man Who Created Her.
You know Nancy. You might know Sluggo. But do you know Ernie Bushmiller, the cartoonist whose deceptively simple creation became bigger than its creator?
Exploring Calvin and Hobbes
Bill Watterson's Calvin and Hobbes was always about the art. Now, original artwork from the beloved comic strip is going on tour, giving fans a rare look behind the panels.
Working at Wayne Enterprises Must Be Exhausting
What would it really be like to work at Wayne Enterprises? Discover the ordinary employees quietly helping Batman protect Gotham.
Who Is the Winking Chef on Pizza Boxes?
The winking chef on pizza boxes has a surprising origin. Learn how Gill Fox’s 1950s illustration became a timeless pizza industry icon.
Halloween Watch: I Married a Witch
I Married a Witch is a bewitching movie just right for Halloween. No need for blood and gore! No man can resist Veronica Lake in this enchanted romantic movie.
The Odd & Curious
The Famous People Who Died on Halloween
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.
How Did 81 Suddenly Become Young?
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 Is Making a Comeback
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.
Forget Book Burning, This Guy Wants You to Chop Your Books
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.
The 8-Track Tape Died. Apparently Nobody Told It.
The 8-track tape ruled car stereos before cassettes killed it, but its strange legacy lives on in mixtapes, video-game cartridges and collectors.
Show Us the LOVE! Rhino Gives Arthur Lee and Love Another Spin
Rhino's Rocktober gives Arthur Lee and Love another spin with three limited-edition albums, but the real Love story begins with Forever Changes.
We Killed the CD. Now We’re Bringing It Back From the Dead.
We killed the CD, dumped the evidence and moved on. Vinyl is growing, CDs are surging and a new generation is discovering the music we thought we'd left buried.
It’s a Mystery, Charlie Brown: Vince Guaraldi’s Lost Score
Vince Guaraldi’s It’s a Mystery, Charlie Brown finally gets a complete soundtrack release, revealing a funky, electric side of his Peanuts music.
![A retro-style illustration on a red background shows a man in a suit shouting into a megaphone on the left. To the right, the word 'SNACKSTUME' is written in large, bold, white letters with a black outline, resembling a comic book sound effect. Below it, a dictionary-style definition reads: '[snack-stoom] noun. A Halloween costume based on a snack or food product, usually designed to make the wearer look like a giant version of something you'd normally eat.'](https://i0.wp.com/sandboxworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/word-of-the-week-snacktume.png?fit=1600%2C776&ssl=1)
SNAFU: The Definitive Guide to History’s Greatest Screwups
Forget the tie—this Father’s Day, give Dad SNAFU by Ed Helms, a hilarious deep dive into history’s biggest blunders, packed with laughs and wild true stories.
Earthly Materials: Journeys Through Our Bodies’ Emissions, Excretions, and Disintegrations by Cutter Wood
Earthly Materials by Cutter Wood dives into the science, history, and hidden truths of bodily waste—urine, feces, tears, and more—like never before.
Fantastic Four First Steps: AMC Giant Galactus Popcorn Bucket
Marvel fans brace for chaos as AMC unveils a giant Galactus popcorn bucket for Fantastic Four: First Steps—17.5″ tall, 20″ wide, and perfect for devouring snacks.
General Mills X Marvel Team Up for Fantastic Four Cereal
General Mills teams up with Marvel Studios’ “Fantastic Four: First Steps” to release heroic cereal boxes and collectibles, hitting shelves and online July, 2025.
King of the Hill Returning After 15 Years.
King of the Hill returns after 15 years with Hank and Peggy retired, Bobby now 21, and Arlen changed. See what’s new in this long-awaited animated reboot.
Frankenstein: Guillermo del Toro’s Netflix Teaser
Guillermo del Toro reimagines Frankenstein for Netflix with Oscar Isaac and Jacob Elordi. It is a gothic, emotional tale of creation, tragedy, and obsession.
This Dog Will Change Your Life by Elias Weiss Friedman
Elias Weiss Friedman’s This Dog Will Change Your Life captures the emotional power of dogs through stunning photos and stories from The Dogist.
JAWS @ 50: The Definitive Inside Story
50 years of “Jaws” with National Geographic’s exclusive doc, revealing untold stories, rare footage & its lasting impact on cinema and shark conservation.
NIKE x LEGO Air Max Dn Drops: Where Bricks Meet Bounce!
Step into the Nike x LEGO Air Max Dn—featuring LEGO Minifigures, Dynamic Air cushioning, and a box that transforms into LEGO storage.
Owls in Towels: A Comforting Sight
Adorable owls wrapped in towels tell real rescue stories. Explore wildlife rehab, animal care, and the healing power of compassion—one owl at a time.
John Fogerty Reclaims CCR Legacy with New Album “Legacy”
John Fogerty celebrates owning his CCR catalog with Legacy, a new album reimagining his greatest hits, produced with his family and out August 22, 2025.
The Art of Classic Crime and Mystery Movies: From the Earliest Poverty Row Movies to the Films of the 1970s
The Art of Classic Crime and Mystery Movies by Ed Hulse showcases 800+ rare posters, tracing Hollywood’s crime genre from silent films to the 70s. A must-have!