A fire at sea is among a sailor’s worst fears. In the era of wooden shops, where candles and oil lamps were the only sources of illumination, the chance of such a catastrophe was an ever-present ...

The incandescent light bulb was one of the first early applications of electricity, and it’s hard to underestimate its importance. But before the electric light, people didn’t live in darkness — they ...

A 4½-inch-high heavy glass pyramid was in a recent house sale. It was inexpensive, but no one knew what it was used for. It was almost too heavy to lift, so it wouldn’t be a practical paperweight, but ...