The hottest History Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top World Politics Topics

Indigenous land acknowledgements often ignore history

Critical Mass • 26 implied HN points • 23 Feb 25
🎭️ Culture History
  1. Indigenous land acknowledgements can sometimes be simplistic and miss the complexity of history. It's important to recognize that history is not always straightforward, and we should be careful not to create myths.
  2. Some acknowledgements make strong claims about Indigenous ownership that might not be fully accurate. It's necessary to look at historical context and evidence before making those statements.
  3. We need to talk honestly about history and science related to land ownership and Indigenous rights. Celebrating cultures should not come at the cost of historical accuracy.

The Science and History of the iPhone Screen

SatPost by Trung Phan • 122 implied HN points • 09 Sep 23
🕹 Technology History
  1. In 2007, Steve Jobs chose Corning's Gorilla Glass for the iPhone screen, sparking a journey into the science and history of glass development.
  2. Corning's development of Gorilla Glass involved innovative techniques like ion exchange to strengthen the glass and meet Apple's demands for a durable and thin screen.
  3. Corning, a 170-year-old company, has a diverse range of products beyond Gorilla Glass, showcasing resilience and adaptation in various industries including optical communications and life sciences.

War Crimes

Painful Signs, Or, Joel's Substack • 19 implied HN points • 15 Nov 23
🎭️ Culture History
  1. The epic of the Iliad explores the limits of violence, with scenes like advocating for infanticide and portraying extreme brutality during war.
  2. The depiction of violence in ancient Greek art, like the Mykonos Vase, reflects the harsh realities of warfare and societal practices of that time.
  3. The breakdown of social conventions in the Iliad leads to brutal, dehumanizing violence, showcasing how individual actions can disrupt norms and unleash chaos.

February 11, 2025

Letters from an American • 27 implied HN points • 12 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics History
  1. Abraham Lincoln believed that government should help people do things they can't do alone, like building roads and schools. He thought a strong government could support democracy and protect everyone's rights.
  2. Progressive leaders, like Theodore Roosevelt, expanded government roles to protect people from big businesses that harmed them. They aimed to ensure individuals had access to education, health care, and a clean environment.
  3. Over time, some people began to reject the idea of an active government, claiming it was un-American. Today, there are ongoing debates about how much the government should help everyday people versus the interests of the wealthy.

VFYW: Legends Abound

The Weekly Dish • 26 implied HN points • 15 Feb 25
🎭️ Culture History
  1. The VFYW contest features a variety of fun and creative themes, showcasing unique views from windows around the world. It's a great way to spark creativity and engage with a community of puzzle lovers.
  2. Participants share stories and memories tied to their window views, turning the contest into a shared experience. This personal touch adds depth to the entries and makes the contest more enjoyable.
  3. The guessing process for the locations can be challenging but also intriguing. Many people enjoy the detective work involved in figuring out the right answer by analyzing clues from the photos.
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meaning silk, or rags

let them eat cake • 379 implied HN points • 02 Aug 19
🍲 Food & Drink History
  1. Chiffon cake was a new and innovative creation in the 20th century, incorporating baking powder and vegetable oil unlike traditional foam cakes.
  2. Pandan chiffon cakes are popular in a certain age group in Singapore for being less sweet and light due to their airy texture.
  3. Neighborhood bakeries selling pandan chiffon often maintain a traditional, artisanal approach, using industrial mix but employing handcrafting techniques.

January 31, 2025

Letters from an American • 28 implied HN points • 01 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics History
  1. Julia Ward Howe wrote the 'Battle Hymn of the Republic' during the Civil War, capturing the fight for freedom and defining it as a holy cause. It became an anthem for the Union troops.
  2. On February 1, 1960, students protested against segregation at a Woolworth's lunch counter, sparking the sit-in movement that led to desegregation in public spaces.
  3. February 1 was later recognized as the first day of Black History Month, but by 2025, the U.S. government's stance on diversity and inclusion programs showed the ongoing struggles for equality.

2024 Kvetching & Books

Kvetch • 33 implied HN points • 22 Dec 24
📚 Literature History
  1. The author had plans to work on some big writing projects this year but ended up not completing them. Life events like having a new baby and starting a new fund took up a lot of time.
  2. Despite not finishing their main projects, the author still wrote a good number of pieces and saw their readership double. Their most popular piece encouraged some readers to have more kids.
  3. Looking ahead, the author has new ideas for writing and is taking it week by week, while hoping to explore topics related to history and demographics.

The AI Pork Prism

Reactionary Feminist • 15 implied HN points • 24 May 25
🎭️ Culture History
  1. There is a real difference between things that have an inherent form and those that are artificially made. This difference can impact how we perceive the value of things.
  2. The term 'slop' describes things that seem formless or lacking structure, which can apply to everything from food to internet content. This reflects a deeper concern about what is natural versus what is unnatural.
  3. The ongoing debate about nature and culture often misses the point of whether things really have an intrinsic nature at all. This discussion has significant implications for how we view technology and our world.

Under the microscope: Actua Golf & Virtual Golf

Rings of Saturn • 29 implied HN points • 16 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture History
  1. The game 'Actua Golf' has some secret cheat codes that can change the game experience, like showing the names of the game creators.
  2. There was a plan for a follow-up disc with more golf courses for 'Actua Golf', but it never officially released.
  3. In 'Virtual Golf', players can use scrambled player names as passwords to unlock professional tournaments, making it more accessible for everyone.

#92 Spooky design

Design Lobster • 119 implied HN points • 01 Nov 21
🎨 Art & Illustration History
  1. Holographic technology uses illusions like Pepper's Ghost to bring back deceased celebrities for performances.
  2. Planchettes were 19th century tools for spirit communication, showing human fascination with the supernatural.
  3. Embrace action to overcome fear, as Susan Jeffers famously said: 'Feel the fear and do it anyway.'

Matt Clifford: AI Policy + China Competition

ChinaTalk • 74 implied HN points • 13 Mar 24
📚 Literature History
  1. The Reformation teaches us monumental change can happen unexpectedly and for reasons that resonate today, like the rise of new technologies and ideas.
  2. Parenting and entrepreneurship create strategic focus due to the time trade-offs and the need to be intentional in decision-making.
  3. Ideas are powerful, exciting, and dangerous, shown through 'The Name of the Rose,' emphasizing the impact of forbidden knowledge and the significance of ideas worth killing for.

When Birds Mean Death

Bird History • 19 implied HN points • 31 Oct 23
🎭️ Culture History
  1. Owls have historically been associated with death and fear by different cultures, with beliefs about their calls foretelling misfortune or demise.
  2. The arrival of European settlers in America brought over beliefs about birds, like owls, being evil omens, creating a sense of fear and superstition towards them.
  3. The intimidating and mysterious nature of owls, especially their nocturnal habits and unique physical characteristics, contribute to their reputation as ominous symbols.

#79 Design in ruins

Design Lobster • 139 implied HN points • 02 Aug 21
🎨 Art & Illustration History
  1. In design, historical elements like spolia can add depth and connection to the past, bringing a sense of continuity and richness to modern creations.
  2. Everyday objects can be repurposed creatively in design, transforming the mundane into something unique and intriguing.
  3. Just like cities are built on top of ruins, digital technology and computer code have layers of complexity and history woven within them, reminding us that things are not always as sleek and clean as they seem.

BRIEFLY NOTED: For 2024-02-25 Su

Brad DeLong's Grasping Reality • 76 implied HN points • 25 Feb 24
💼 Business History
  1. Branko Milanovic discusses visions of inequality, highlighting the importance of technological and business-model research and development in market economies.
  2. Shifting expectations of Federal Reserve rate cuts reflect a debate about the impact of maniacal bubbles and policy near-neutrality in a balanced economy.
  3. The need for individuals to stay focused on reality outside media perceptions and the impact of lags in economic understanding discussed by Jeffrey Frankel supporting the idea that perceptions lag behind reality.

A writing fellowship on scientific progress

The Works in Progress Newsletter • 25 implied HN points • 11 Feb 25
🔬 Science History
  1. There is a six-month writing fellowship where writers can create articles about scientific progress. It's a great chance for those interested in topics like biotech or the history of science.
  2. Writers in the fellowship will get help from experienced mentors and editors to improve their work. They will also receive a stipend of $1,500 per month for completing their writing.
  3. It's important for applicants to have a blog or previous writing experience. The fellowship encourages original thinking and aims to support writers looking to share their unique ideas.

The Eerie Story of Low Background Steel

Material World • 131 implied HN points • 10 Jun 23
🔬 Science History
  1. Raiders are targeting old shipwrecks to obtain low background steel, a rare metal free of radiation.
  2. Steel made before 1945 is valuable for products sensitive to radiation due to its lack of radionuclides.
  3. Despite advancements in reducing radiation in steel, there is still interest in obtaining pre-1945 steel for specific uses.

📏 How To Build A Mayan Keyboard

Reboot • 10 implied HN points • 16 Jul 25
🎭️ Culture History
  1. The Codical Mayan project aims to encode the Mayan writing system into Unicode. This will help preserve the ancient language and make it accessible on modern computers.
  2. Mayan culture is one of the most well-preserved indigenous cultures, providing a unique opportunity to explore and document its language and traditions. This work allows people to connect with their heritage.
  3. Technology can play a big role in revitalizing indigenous languages. New tools can help people create dictionaries and learning materials, making it easier for them to learn and share their languages.

Turkish ice cream vendors

This week I am curious about? • 19 implied HN points • 25 Oct 23
🍲 Food & Drink History
  1. Turkish ice cream, known as Dondurma, has a unique texture and resistance to melting due to ingredients like salep and mastic.
  2. The Dondurma vendor attire includes a Kaftan robe and Fez hat, creating a distinctive look that symbolizes Turkish ice cream culture.
  3. Turkish ice cream vendors play tricks on customers as a fun sales technique, which has become popular especially through social media.

Coming soon

Litverse • 59 implied HN points • 29 May 22
📚 Literature History
  1. Litverse is a newsletter about literature, books, history, politics, and philosophy.
  2. Blaise Lucey is associated with Litverse.
  3. The Litverse newsletter will be launching soon.

Science, Interrupted.

Heterodox STEM • 78 implied HN points • 04 Feb 24
🔬 Science History
  1. The Lost Scientists of World War II by Sir David Clary recounts stories of scholars from various fields who faced tragedy and miraculous survival during the war.
  2. The stories include Jewish scholars and exceptions like physicist Alfred Lustig, highlighting the fragility of individual fates and the difficulties faced by scholars at risk.
  3. Organizing help for scientists facing war and persecution is crucial, as seen in initiatives like RASA's mentorship program for displaced scientists.

#88 Go reconfigure

Design Lobster • 119 implied HN points • 04 Oct 21
🪑 Design History
  1. Designs are becoming more personalized, like Google's Material You design language that adapts system colors based on the user's wallpaper choice.
  2. Designers may need to embrace flexibility to allow users to contribute to the end result, as seen in the unique design approach of Material You.
  3. Creating a delightful user experience involves making the process of configuring designs enjoyable, like the adjustable Tizio lamp designed by Richard Sapper.

The Two Bets

The Future, Now and Then • 113 implied HN points • 09 Aug 23
🎭️ Culture History
  1. Two bets from the past illustrate contrasting viewpoints on the trajectory of society.
  2. The outcome of these bets reveals the complexities of predicting future trends.
  3. The tension between techno-optimism and environmental concerns continues to shape societal narratives.

#62 A design by Florence Nightingale

Design Lobster • 159 implied HN points • 05 Apr 21
🪑 Design History
  1. Florence Nightingale made an important contribution to data visualization through the Rose Diagram during the Crimean War. Communicating data effectively is key in design.
  2. Arne Jacobsen's Egg Chair is an iconic piece of furniture design from the mid 1950s. Reinterpreting traditional shapes can create modern classics.
  3. Consistency in design, both visually and behaviorally, is crucial for usability. Users should know what to expect when interacting with a design.

VFYW: Gay Icons And Graffiti Galore

The Weekly Dish • 29 implied HN points • 21 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture History
  1. Graffiti and street art can be fascinating and lead to surprising discoveries about a place. Sometimes, a simple tag can help identify a city's location.
  2. Family history can reveal interesting stories and connections to places, making history feel more personal and engaging. Learning about our ancestors can create a sense of belonging.
  3. Architecture plays a key role in how we perceive a city. Unique buildings can evoke curiosity and spark discussions about design, history, and the blend of old and new.

Philadelphia's Stray Cats

The Weekly Gazette • 42 implied HN points • 11 Sep 24
🎭️ Culture History
  1. Philadelphia has a significant stray cat problem, with about 400,000 cats living outdoors. These cats often face dangers like disease, abuse, and harsh weather.
  2. Organizations like The Cat Collaborative are using trap-neuter-return (TNR) methods to help manage the cat population. This technique aims to reduce the number of stray cats over time.
  3. Despite some success, TNR has its challenges and critics. A large number of cats need to be trapped and fixed for it to be effective, and public awareness is key to improving the situation.

Enough Pentelic marble

Internal exile • 29 implied HN points • 21 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture History
  1. The Elgin marbles were taken from Greece and are now in the British Museum, leading to disputes over their rightful ownership. Greece wants them back and is exploring ways to create exact copies using new technology.
  2. 3D scans of the marbles can help make copies that look just like the originals, but these copies would not have the same history or 'aura' as the original pieces, raising questions about what we truly value in art.
  3. Creating replicas could change how we view historical objects, as flawless copies may make us forget the unique stories and imperfections of the originals, which often carry deep significance.

Seven Hills of Seattle

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 59 implied HN points • 06 Oct 22
🎭️ Culture History
  1. Seattle is famously said to be built on seven hills, but there’s some debate about which hills should be counted. Some people agree with the original list of hills, while others suggest different ones.
  2. The hills of Seattle have been both a source of pride and challenges for the city. They created scenic views but also made travel and construction difficult.
  3. Over time, the idea of Seattle's 'seven hills' has changed. Today, the commonly accepted hills reflect a mix of history and geography, with names that have transitioned through the years.

Free Electricity Out Of The Air! Did Nikola Tesla Have It Right All Along?

Resiliency Tech • 19 implied HN points • 05 Jul 23
🔬 Science History
  1. Nikola Tesla is revered for his inventions and experiments with harnessing electricity from the air.
  2. Scientists are now exploring hygroelectricity, generating electricity from humidity in the air using nanotubes.
  3. Projects like CATCHER aim to commercialize the concept of hygroelectricity, which could potentially exceed Europe's power requirements by 500 times.

Friday Curiosity Links

Grist Potentia • 19 implied HN points • 01 Jul 23
🔬 Science History
  1. Albert Einstein's Special Theory of Relativity was published in 1905.
  2. The theory reconciled Maxwell's equations with laws of mechanics.
  3. Einstein's theory introduced the concept of the speed of light.

Saturday Curiosity Links

Grist Potentia • 19 implied HN points • 02 Jul 23
💰 Finance History
  1. On July 1, 1941, Myron Scholes, the Canadian-American financial economist, was born in Ontario.
  2. Myron Scholes began his journey into Economics early through his Uncles' businesses and investments in the stock market.
  3. Myron Scholes is known for developing the Black-Scholes model with Fischer Black.

"Optimism Is For Cowards"

Apposition • 19 implied HN points • 20 May 23
📖 Philosophy History
  1. Oswald Spengler believed that all civilizations have a life cycle and will eventually decline.
  2. Spengler's work focuses on the concept of Technics, outlining the development of tools and processes in human history.
  3. Spengler warns against optimism, arguing that every civilization will ultimately face decline and destruction.

How anomalies drove my social science research

America in Crisis • 19 implied HN points • 12 Aug 23
🚌 Education History
  1. Anomalies in stock market cycles and economic growth patterns can challenge existing models and lead to new insights.
  2. Exploring how cultural evolution impacts business practices and economic policies can provide a framework for understanding shifts in stock market valuations and economic growth.
  3. Government economic policies influenced by political cultural evolution play a key role in shaping business cultures and impacting economic trends.

CxD📚'23 #14: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ The History of Philosophy

CxD Newsletter • 19 implied HN points • 16 Mar 23
📖 Philosophy History
  1. Philosophy explores the nature of reality, existence, knowledge, and the relationship between ourselves and the world.
  2. Philosophy also delves into values, ethics, politics, a good life, obligations, beauty, and the meaning of life.
  3. Philosophy encourages us to think deeply about fundamental questions, challenge preconceived views, and engage in the quest for knowledge.