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Phil Edwards

Phil Edwards

Former correspondent

    Latest articles by Phil Edwards

    Video
    Why Yankee Doodle called it “macaroni”Why Yankee Doodle called it “macaroni”
    Play
    Video

    “Stuck a feather in his cap…”

    By Phil Edwards
    Technology
    The mechanical television debuted 90 years ago. Its inventor was nuts.The mechanical television debuted 90 years ago. Its inventor was nuts.
    Technology

    This is how a former socks salesman pioneered TV. And it all happened in a department store.

    By Phil Edwards
    Climate
    New York’s 1888 blizzard had smallpox, bonfires, and rubber boot shortagesNew York’s 1888 blizzard had smallpox, bonfires, and rubber boot shortages
    Climate

    Blizzards are always scary. But these five things prove that they were far more terrifying in 1888.

    By Phil Edwards
    Video
    9 questions about the Illuminati you were too afraid to ask9 questions about the Illuminati you were too afraid to ask
    Play
    Video

    What about the Illuminati is real, and what’s made up? This is the truth about the Illuminati.

    By Phil Edwards
    Life
    Map: Here’s where Powerball is most popularMap: Here’s where Powerball is most popular
    Life

    Which state thinks it’s the luckiest? See where people love Powerball the most.

    By Phil Edwards
    Almanac
    The poison-eating heroes who helped make food safeThe poison-eating heroes who helped make food safe
    Play
    Almanac

    These brave souls sat down to dinner, ate something weird, and saved lives in the process.

    By Phil Edwards
    Video
    SantaCon, explainedSantaCon, explained
    Play
    Video

    This is how SantaCon went from Danish performance art to beer crawl.

    By Phil Edwards, Estelle Caswell and 1 more
    Video
    The World War II meme that circled the worldThe World War II meme that circled the world
    Video

    The same quirky, unique graffiti traveled around the world. This is how it happened.

    By Phil Edwards
    Soul patches, explained
    Video

    This is the rise and fall of the American soul patch.

    By Phil Edwards and Gina Barton
    Video
    Learn these 8 Scrabble words to supercharge your gameLearn these 8 Scrabble words to supercharge your game
    Play
    Video

    Yes, you can get better at Scrabble. Here’s a trick to help.

    By Phil Edwards and Carlos Waters