Marilyn Monroe was far more complex than her bombshell persona suggests. These facts reveal the life behind the legend.
A failed attempt to create a super-strong adhesive accidentally results in a weak, reusable one—leading to the unlikely invention of the Post-it Note.
Imperfection is beauty, madness is genius, and it’s better to be absolutely ridiculous than absolutely boring.
-Marilyn Monroe
During Prohibition, gay nightlife and culture reached new heights—at least temporarily.
Zdeněk Koubek had already set a record in the women’s 800-meter dash, when he announced in 1935 that he was going to be living as a man.
Boston marriages offered an alternative for women who didn’t want to depend on men.
Baron Friedrich von Steuben was known for his bravery and the discipline and grit he brought to the American troops.
In 1971, meteorologist Tetsuya Fujita created the Fujita Scale, which allowed scientists to categorize tornadoes, aiding in predictive weather patterns. Fujita revolutionized the understanding of thunderstorms, tornadoes, hurricanes and typhoons.
In 1793, Samuel Slater built America's first water-powered textile mill–right in Pawtucket. That moment helped spark the Industrial Revolution in the U.S. and transform how the nation worked.
Sign up for Inside History
Get fascinating history stories twice a week that connect the past with today’s world, plus an in-depth exploration every Friday.